COLD TYPE: A Baltimore Media Blog
by JOAN JACOBSON
The Baltimore Sun ’s “Letters to the Editor” unexpectedly died April 30 after a robust life of more than a century, one more casualty of the stunning deterioration of American newspapers. The feature was a victim of the ever-expanding murder plot to kill off the Fourth Estate and the English language simultaneously.
According to local law enforcement officials, the ‘Letters’ death may have been expedited by several rubes and boobs masquerading as newspaper men and women.
Letters that were once a bellwether of politics and public opinion (always fascinating to read anti-war letters from conservative Harford County or the Eastern Shore), and a simple outlet for well-known local figures to briefly rant, have been replaced by anonymous blogs and tweets, where citizens can hide their half-thoughts behind monikers like “BaltimoreGal’ ‘scorpiowonder’ and “IKnowCalRipken.”
The old letters were carefully vetted by an editor (fired last week, like 60 others at the disappearing Sun) who spoke with each letter writer before publication, confirming the letter’s authenticity and often making suggestions to improve a letter’s cogency.
(I admit that the now unemployed editor made my last letter more coherent after I grudgingly made a change he suggested.)
Now, the job is much easier. Anonymity no longer requires scrutiny – or even proper capitalization or punctuation. And whoever is left at the Sun doesn’t feel obliged to translate these scribbles into English.
Here’s what Jeffw171 said about Obama’s first 100 days in office:‘super big F.’ (The period, by the way, is mine, not Jeffw171’s. He apparently doesn’t have one.)
And Ptompkins1976 wrote, “first 100 days. Cuba..check,Iran..check, Iraq..check, N. Korea..check..larger government & more spending..check. 100 days=FAIL!” At least he/she/it found the exclamation point on his/her/its computer – if nothing else.
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