LITTWIN: You gotta laugh, 'cause crying hurts

By Mike Littwin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 4, 2008 at 9:16 p.m.
Updated December 5, 2008 at 12:53 a.m.

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Photo by George Kochaniec Jr. © The Rocky

Stunned Rocky Mountain News employees listen to the announcement that the newspaper is up for sale.

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Comments

December 4, 2008

9:32 p.m.

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smith writes:

Mike, I don't care personally for your columns, but I do wish all the best and hope your liberal tail ends up on two feet somewhere. Have you checked San Francisco :)
December 4, 2008

10:03 p.m.

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dragonsphyre writes:

I hope the new owner of the paper has the sense to boot your hind quarters out the door.
December 4, 2008

10:25 p.m.

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myrtlemay writes:

It's not the same. There's just something special about getting that real PAPER newspaper every morning. We know we can read columns online, see the comics, and even do puzzles, but it is the paper we fight over every morning. It is ceremoniously divided up into sections and distributed to the various family members, sports to one, entertainment to another, comics to our youngest, the main section to Dad. Then we trade.

And there's so much you can do with it even after reading it through: make hats, line the birdcage or cat litter box, wrap presents, etc.
Mr. Littwin, I, for one, LOVE your columns and will hope they will be around for a long, long time!!
And, well, this is just my own opinion, but the Denver Post just doesn't quite cut it in our house. It's been the Rocky Mt. News for thirty years.
December 4, 2008

10:34 p.m.

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Videobarbs writes:

This is a sad day indeed. My parents got the paper from the day they arrived in Denver in 1944. It was, in my childhood, "the morning paper" - The Denver Post would arrive around 4 in the afternoon. It was "the evening paper".
This paper was the home to columnists like Gene Amole and Francis Melrose and Molly Mayfield (her husband was the editor Jack Foster). She wrote the "love-lorn" column.
I'm sure Mike knew this day had to come because we all did. The internet killed it. Instant news killed it. But I'll always wonder if we're better off as a society with instant anything.
December 4, 2008

10:56 p.m.

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landon writes:

Only one problem with the white knight scenario hoped for by Temple: Post, per the JOA agreement, has right of first refusal on any new owner/deal. Singleton can simply whip out one more dollar bill out of his wallet (even though he might not have that in this economy) top the offer and own the paper.
It's funny, the Post has, for 15 years now, been the paper that mostly has kept its nose to the grindstone and and kept its mouth shut (Woody notwithstanding, and breaking the majority of big stories in this town in that time - especially in sports. And now the News, after all their self-congratulory and boastfulness (about what, we're still trying to figure out) is going "huh, how did this happen?"
But Mike is right about one thing: the loss of classified was a killer. In that area, though, Singleton and the Post got a head start on getting some of that money back, through their Yahoo Hot Jobs partnership.
For too long, the RMN's website was, to put it kindly, slow and boring.
I take no glee in anybody losing their jobs, especially now. But the RMN was a bloated, top-heavy, inefficiently run organization for too long. They threw big money at big-name sports writers like Tracy Ringolsby, then saw scrappier Post Rockies reporters beat him on just about every big Rockies story.
The News' concern to any of that was always? Ah, who cares, we got the big-name guy. Meanwhile, nobody liked to read him.
Not that the Post is full of virtuous, Hemingways in the newsroom either.
But they worked harder at things in the last 15 years and were smarter with their money. Maybe it had something to do with what happened today.
December 5, 2008

12:16 a.m.

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immunizer writes:

I, too, would be sad to see the Rocky go, which is ironic because surely my habits have contributed to its demise. I read it online, along with the Denver and Washington Posts, the NY Times, the Washington Post, the Christian Science Monitor, Slate, and a few other places. I'd happily read the Wall Street Journal if I could afford it (by exposure to ads, not by paid subscription). Mr. Littwin suggests that the Rocky is dying in part because the revenue is no longer sufficient to run a newsroom. Not being in the newspaper business, I am sufficiently ignorant to believe that creating and distributing a physical product must be at least as expensive as generating the stories composing that product. If Mr. Littwin is correct and the newsroom is the main expense, then why not trim those parts of the newsroom which I find redundant: pretty much everything except the local news (and sports can certainly go, as far as I care).

The distillate of my suggestion would be this: focus entirely on local news, news the readership could get nowhere else (except, perhaps, the post or the Denver Daily News). When I read the Rocky I read the local section and occasionally the opinion section. I get national news, business news, non-local political news, etc., elsewhere, so effort the Rocky expends on those categories is wasted on me. Further, the wire stories are available just about anywhere: the Rocky needn't purchase them on my behalf.

This is an opportunity for the Rocky to reinvent itself as a modern enterprise. I hope somebody has the wherewithal and fortitude to effect the required changes.
December 5, 2008

1:14 a.m.

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Achilles writes:

I subscribed to the RMN a couple of years ago. I canceled after one year of subscription. Here's why:

1) Each day, the paper would arrive on my driveway, and more and more, I found myself tossing it into the garbage without ever removing it from its plastic wrapping. When I did remove it from the plastic bag, I found myself flipping through it in a minute or two - nothing interesting to read.

2) Too many stories were from the AP. I despise the AP. Many people do. Newspapers use the AP as filler. Filler is boring.

3) I usually skip to the opinion section. But Littwin, Campos, Griego, and Salzman are idiots. Griego is much too lugubrious. Carroll is a bit bland. Campos disgusts me. The fact that my subscription money was funding his bank account bothered me greatly.

4) The newspaper itself is bland and lacks personality. It is not a Colorado newspaper. It is a newspaper sold in Colorado. I'm from the east coast. I grew up on the NY Post, the Daily News, and the NY Times. Each paper had a distinguished personality. The RMN comes off as a bland paper run by a bunch of old guys. Don't listen to those who call for an "objective, non-biased" newspaper - that is boring. Choose a personality and go with it confidently.

5) The Sunday RMN was actually the Sunday Denver Post. I hate the Post. I do not want to read it on Sunday. So, a big part of why I refused to renew my subscription was the fact that my money was helping a paper I hate.

6) Did I mention that the paper is boring? There was hardly anything interesting to read. I still do not read RMN stories online. I like to participate in discussions and debates with other Coloradans. That is what brings me to this website. But I don't read RMN "news" stories.

7) Crime stories are not interesting. I'm tired of reading about the latest Latino or black arrested for a shooting or child abuse. It is depressing. It reminds me of LA. I hated LA. That is why I moved to Colorado. I know crime exists in Colorado. I do not need to be reminded of it everyday. Which leads me to another thing...

8) Lighten up! When I first subscribed to the RMN, it was running a story about a tragic bus/train accident that occured...30 years ago! It was depressing. I'm not saying the paper should not write about bad news. But this bad news was 30 years old.

I want to read a Coloradan newspaper; a paper that is confidently different from the LA Times or the NY Post. I want to read a distinctively Coloradan paper. One that makes me feel good about living in Colorado and not one that makes me feel like I'm living near gangland Los Angeles with mountains instead of the Pacific Ocean.
December 5, 2008

3:53 a.m.

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LOUIE writes:

Hey John II, after reading the depressing words you wrote, perhaps you should run a nice hot bath, find a sharp razor and listen to a wonderfully depressing melody titled "Gloomy Sunday" circa 1933, and drift on. I wonder why you favor only the anglo shooters and child abusers, when you adhor crime so deeply. Is it the fact that they get a bigger body count like Klebold and Harris? As far as flipping through it in a minute or two I agree. Until I learned to read, the pictures were all I enjoyed. You know, Billy Holiday did a wonderful remake of "Gloomy Sunday" long about 1941 you might want to listen to. Have you talk with any professionals about your depression?
December 5, 2008

6:03 a.m.

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ghostrider76613 writes:

Sorry Charlie but it is time for all the fat cats to wake up and smell the roses. No longer can the fat cats live off the sweat and tears of the small . I remember seeing the workers at the news wearing the paper hats stained with ink standing outside after the first edition sweating and working for minimum wage while the editor was selling space to whatever crooked politician was in office at the time. lets all go to work and make a decent wage.
December 5, 2008

7:04 a.m.

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LetsThink writes:

I am sorry to hear this news about the RMN.

But....Mr. Littwin bears some responsibility for this situation.
His incessant far left indoctrination drove away a large number of conservative reader. And they cancelled their subscriptions.

A newspaper should be 'fair and balanced'. If it cannot....then it deserves to die.
December 5, 2008

7:58 a.m.

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sassinspunki writes:

The paper that once had a more hometown flavor and was a childhood friend evolved into some evil twin to the Denver Post. Once the format changed (and yes went more left!) so did my interest. You say advertising revenues went down, you all couldn't keep up. That's lack of innovation (and things here are often stale). How much of the advertising dollars lost were not because of ability to advertise at a lower cost (and trust me your employment ads are ridiculous!) but because in choosing between the two papers once they both look the same, people will chose the one with the larger subscription base. Once the two papers combined their Saturday and Sunday paper I quit subscribing.

Newspapers across the country are suffering for many reasons, including failing to keep up with the technological times. But don't fool yourself, if you don't think the "left swing" to many newspapers hasn't contributed to continued loss. News should be factual. Sadly, few in any media outlet, present news fairly, but too much to one side or another and you lose the other half of your base. Too much politically correct and you lose your idenity.

There's more to look at than technologically challenged. Perhaps the arrogance of the media in they have no oversite and can slant a story to their view. As that becomes more the norm rather than the exception, readers will go away, people will turn off the t.v. and subscriptions to magazines etc are cancelled. Jobs will be lost and companies will be closed. Perhaps then journalistic ethics and standards might return.
December 5, 2008

8:07 a.m.

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GunnyBob writes:

Mike, the first time I read your column I knew you were a talented writer. Ethically challenged, sure. Untrustworthy, certainly. Extremist, without a doubt. Hateful, obviously. Smarmy, oh yeah. Arrogant, yup. But a clever and entertaining wordsmith, too.

Yes, ad placements are part of the problem, but people have choices now when it comes to so many more sources of info, and if they don't have to be insulted, mocked, lied to and ridiculed, they won't be. With all the stress in their lives already, why would they buy a paper and in doing so support those with radical, intolerant views like you and Campos have, or reporters who are not only allowed but encouraged to weave their own bias into what's supposed to be a hard news piece? Then there are the problems on the editorial page as well, which has become too often farcical and very misleading.

That said, I hope the RMN survives because the Post is even more repugnant and without the Rocky, the Post will have no competition.
December 5, 2008

8:40 a.m.

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HolierThanThou writes:

Internet is killing newspapers with content and robbing them of classified ads revenue. Like with many of his columns, Littwin is right on the money.

Accurate content is expensive. Even though plenty of websites offer news, they don't send many reporters into the field. They're low budget. So, their news comes from hand-me-down sources. You need to read a bunch of them and sort out the hooey to have any idea what's going on. The same is true of traditional newspapers but less so.

One thing that I've noticed is that the Rocky Mountain News has no donation button that I can find on this website. I'm not privy to the legal terms of your contract but if it allows you to accept donations from regular readers like myself then you could pull a PBS, Obama campaign, or a moveon.org on yourselves and stay in business.

I, for one, enjoy the banter and joking here. I wouldn't care to comment on a liberal-biased website because it would be mostly like an echo chamber while a conservative website would censor and ultimately ban me from the website. This one has enough variety to keep it interesting, so it would be a shame for Colorado to loose the old Rocky.

Try asking for donations or selling shares in the Rocky to the citizens of Colorado.
December 5, 2008

8:55 a.m.

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SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

I've heard the rumor that the ONLY potential suitor is the local paper arm of Dow Jones & Co.; Ottoway Newspapers, Inc. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...)

Dow Jones also owns the Wall Street Journal, the Dow Jones newswire service, Barron's and on and on. In turn, Dow Jones is now owned by NewsCorp. (Rupert Murdoch) which owns the New York Post (which Littwin maligns above), the Weekly Standard, Fox Broadcasting Company, the Sun and other British papers, and many Australian papers.

Suffice it to say that if Murdoch's NewsCorp takes over the Rocky, Mike Littwin will indeed be taking your order at a local McDonald's ... or working for the Colorado Democratic Party.
December 5, 2008

9:05 a.m.

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Achilles writes:

"I wouldn't care to comment on a liberal-biased website because it would be mostly like an echo chamber while a conservative website would censor and ultimately ban me from the website." - Holier

B.S.

Censorship is a leftwing practice. If this paper became a conservative paper, it would attract even more liberal posters.
December 5, 2008

9:09 a.m.

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joggle writes:

I'm sort of like your daughter Mike, always reading newspapers online. However, I also have a subscription to the Daily Camera (that I never read, either in print or online). The simple reason is I have the money for a subscription (they are much cheaper than they were in the past) and want to try to do my part to keep newspapers alive. If I could ever wake up early I'd probably even read it too.

Unfortunately, I'm not a billionaire and can't save any one newspaper all on my own though...
December 5, 2008

9:26 a.m.

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GetReal writes:

Littwin, with his childlike refusal to admit liberal bias has anything to do with the Rocky's going belly up, reminds me of Baghdad Bob's declaration that US forces have failed to enter Saddam's Iraq, as US tanks roll into the shot behind him.

I can picture Mikey crying "IT'S NOT FAIR!!!" while clutching his desk spreadeagled as it is being repossed from the news room, screaming for his Mommy, his sobbing being drowned out only by the similar wailings of Campos,Greigo and Johnson.

Maybe with all the skewed pro Obama coverage, The Messiah may come to the Rocky's rescue and bail them out with taxpayer funds at the final moment.

After all, there is still a market for quality fish wrap.
December 5, 2008

9:49 a.m.

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blacksho89 writes:

"...reporters - enough for a quorum, anyway - who uncover your town's important stories and make city fathers and mothers, and also non-newspaperman billionaires, sweat.)"

When's the last time Hickenlooper or Ritter broke a sweat? John Temple is the only staffer to ever write about anything potentially embarrassing. The rest of the paper is a cheerleading squad for every politician except GWB.

Mike, it's not your fault, or the reporters' fault, that the business model failed. However, it IS the reporters' fault, and the editors', that the "news" content has become irrelevant.
December 5, 2008

10:01 a.m.

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SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

"John Temple is the only staffer to ever write about anything potentially embarrassing."

I disagree. Vince Carroll, Peter Blake and Mike Rosen (on occasion) scrutinize Democratic pols.

Something that would never cross Littwin's mind ... or the far-left Ed Stein's.
December 5, 2008

10:06 a.m.

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blacksho89 writes:

By the way, Mike: I hope you land on your feet. I disagree with you about 90 per cent of the time, you bomb-throwing Trotskyite hippie, you, but you are talented and passionate. Your skills and command of the language are of a level that the new generation should aspire to emulate. Charles Johnson is usually interesting to read, and I don't know WHAT has happened to Paul Campos. His last few columns have actually been well thought out!
Tina Griego-so long. I won't miss you.
Local reporters, like the ones who haven't heard of illegal immigration, who don't believe that an "immigrant" can ever do wrong, who blame Bush for everything back to the Kennedy assasination: Get a blog. I can ignore you there, too.
December 5, 2008

10:06 a.m.

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Adeline writes:

How bout if Scripps gives the Rocky to the staff, which then puts out an online full of local news? I read the New York Times, the Washington Post and the LA Times online every day for national and international news. (There was an interesting Colorado story in the LA Times just this morning.) I read the Rocky and Denver Post online for local news which is what liberals and conservatives alike want. Keep Campos and Littwin. Please.
December 5, 2008

10:08 a.m.

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blacksho89 writes:

Slouching: You are correct, but my point is that the "news" staff should be named "Fluffy". They are Hick's lap dog. The editorial staff is fair, for the most part.
December 5, 2008

10:47 a.m.

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dakar writes:

The last time I ran a classified in the paper it was so expensive I went out and found cheaper alternatives. So part of the reason is the high cost as well as the ease and cheapness of using online services. However, about a quarter of the population don't have online access and there's also a lot that only have online access occasionally.
I also don't really know anyone under 30 who even reads a newspaper, mostly because they can go online but a lot of them don't give a hoot about the news. But a big part of it all is also the bias that most newspapers have. I for one don't trust half the news I see - they intentionally emphasize certain details and headlines and leave out other facts to make their point. AP news services has become terribly biased and even their online services are suffering because most people realize the bias, even if they agree with it they trust it less. The other problem with online news and tv anymore is most people actively go out to get the news in the way they want it - biased to their tastes. This only reinforces any previous biased notions they already have. Its only going to get worse.
Yep, the only newspapers that may survive may be USA Today - popular in all hotels, and Wall St. Journal. Local newspapers may be relegated to weekly rags and online services.
December 5, 2008

11:06 a.m.

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P_Denver writes:

I like newspapers. I believe that Temple let the RMN drift from center to more-left-center and it became a mini-me Denver Post. No identity. No real focus. The lefties were already reading the Post. The Righties now had no reason to read the News. Most of the columnists were bland.

Yes, on-line want ads hurt all newspapers. Some, like the News, are failing. But most are not. There's at least one semi-healthy paper in every major city Why? What's the difference? Did the News do any research to find out how others were succeeding, or did they just try to imitate the Post?

I don't like to see anyone lose a job. Ever. Usually you can trace job losses directly to poor decisions by management. It's hardly ever a rank-and-file employee issue. Temple wasn't doing his job. Too bad his poor decision-making affects so many others.

I'll miss the News.
December 5, 2008

11:17 a.m.

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Achilles writes:

I agree, P_Denver. Temple has failed Denver and RMN staffers. He failed to innovate. And he failed to drop boring columnists. Look at the Salzman columns. Salzman is a true idiot. His columns are are so ridiculously boring that few online readers even bother to comment on his writing.

Check it out: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/staf...

His past three columns generated a total of 14 comments. I don't mean an average of 14 comments - I mean 14 total. At least one of those comments was a pity comment from myself. Some of his previous columns generated over 50 comments. But, if you look at the posters, it turns out to be two or three posters engaged in a long discussion.

As much as I hate Campos, I can understand keeping as he does tend to generate a lot of reader attention (even if its mostly negative). But why keep twits like Salzman or Griego? Why pay them one cent?
December 5, 2008

11:35 a.m.

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Achilles writes:

"As far as flipping through it in a minute or two I agree. Until I learned to read, the pictures were all I enjoyed." - louie

You were subscribing to a newspaper before you learned to read? When did you learn to read?
December 5, 2008

11:38 a.m.

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me2 writes:

Jesus, John II, is there anything you can discuss without throwing a tantrum.
December 5, 2008

11:41 a.m.

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anderson writes:

Without Littwin and the other talented writers of the RMN, the talk radio pimps and their parrots will have a signficant reduced number of local writers to disparage. They'll have to turn to the few at the Denver Post, or go national.
December 5, 2008

11:44 a.m.

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Achilles writes:

What tantrum, me2?
December 5, 2008

11:45 a.m.

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anderson writes:

Despot John is probably dismayed by the thought of losing this forum. He can't literally do what kings used to do in the old days when they didn't get their way--chop heads off--so he does it figuratively.
December 5, 2008

11:47 a.m.

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jay writes:

"Censorship is a leftwing practice"

lol.
December 5, 2008

12:06 p.m.

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SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

P_Denver writes: "I believe that Temple let the RMN drift from center to more-left-center and it became a mini-me Denver Post. No identity. No real focus. The lefties were already reading the Post. The Righties now had no reason to read the News."

I'm in total agreement. I wrote Temple in October and explained why my 18-year subscription to the News was coming to an end - Littwin, Johnson, Salzman, an ever-increasing leftist bias in news stories from AP strings to the loaded reporting of Chuck Plunkett and the completely over-the-top fawning over Democrats and the DNC for months upon months.

Certainly, the decline in advertising in light of CraigsList has been significant and catastrophic, but why is it the Rocky that is going down and not the Post?? BOTH have been hit equally by the ad downturn, right? It's because Temple steered the Rocky into the ditch in attempting to parrot the Post.
December 5, 2008

12:10 p.m.

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JonBen writes:

GunnyBob is such an idiot.

And so are his lackeys who blame the Rocky's problems on "liberal bias." Give me a break.

Not only is the whole premise ludicrous and based on ABSOLUTELY NO FACTS WHATSOEVER - but, if GunnyBob's "you're broke because you're leftist" theory were true, the field would be wide open for some conservative moneybags - like ClearChannel - to waltz in and buy up the Rocky and turn it into an incredible money machine! Gosh, maybe they will, and we could have front-page columns by GunnyBob, Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter.

I wouldn't pick up a rag like that, but presumably lots of Gunny-lovers would be falling all over themselves to subscribe.

Just like they fell all over themselves to vote Republican in the last election.

Back to your foxhole, GunnyBob.
December 5, 2008

12:10 p.m.

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Iceman7 writes:

Sad Sad Sad,

What are Mike Littwin and Ed Stain(Stein)going to do? Oh my! Get a real job. Who knows maybe they can start their own web site. That way they can still rant on Bush and the Republicans.

Problem is that it wont pay the bills. Oh! pay and bills may be to capitalistic for these two loons...

ICE
December 5, 2008

12:22 p.m.

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P_Denver writes:

JonBen

My comment was not that the News is having problems because it's left of center. My comment was that Denver didn't need TWO papers that were to the left.

When I moved here 25+ years ago I actually subscribed to both papers. It was amusing to read the same story in each, and see the different slants. That's no longer possible. Most political stories are AP re-writes, and opinion columns seem to be photocopied from one to the other . . . with the Post being slightly more well-written most of the time.

Again - I'll be sorry to see the News go.
December 5, 2008

12:24 p.m.

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malis writes:

Like many of my generation (mid-50s), I’m newspaper addict. From Colo Springs, I get the Denver Post and the Sunday NY Times (still-dark Sunday morning, fire going, good coffee, the Post and Times…heaven).

But as a news/politics junkie, I review the Op-Ed sections of the NY Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune (only major conservative paper in the nation), Rocky Mountain News, and COS Gazette (plus a couple more from a rotating list of about 30) daily. I also hit Slate, The Economist, and a few other sites (Groklaw’s a favorite).

Notice most of these are the Internet sites of traditional newspapers? They dedicate extensive staff to news-gathering, especially local. I’d rather give up my physical than my on-line papers, but what happens when everyone stops? Online versions alone can’t support news-gathering and editing, and Craigslist killed their cash-cow classifieds. A conundrum—I have no idea how it will work out.

On a different tangent, notice how every newspaper-in-trouble story brings in the far right obsessives saying it’s the obvious left-wing bias causing folks to cancel (and get their REAL news from Fox, Rush, and WorldNetDaily?).

As a handy reference, here are major newspapers where you can get editorials and opinion, slanted the way YOU want! If you actually think the Rocky is liberal, try my Far Left options (caveat—my opinion from personal experience only—your mileage may vary):

FAR LEFT:
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- Minneapolis Star-Tribune
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer

CONVENTIONAL LEFT:
- New York Times
- LA Times
- San Francisco Chronicle
- Cleveland Plain-Dealer
- Detroit Free Press

CENTER LEFT (the most common position)
- Denver Post (though it’s been moving right, especially on Unions and anything to do with Ritter)
- Seattle Times
- Portland Oregonian
- Dallas Morning News
- Cincinnati Enquirer
- Houston Chronicle
- Kansas City Star
- Miami Herald
- Philadelphia Inquirer
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch

CENTER
-Washington Post. Surprises you? Fifteen years ago WaPo was Conventional Left but has been moving steadily right since then, purposefully I think.

CENTER RIGHT
- Chicago Tribune (home-towner Obama is the only Dem they’ve EVER endorsed for Pres)
- Arizona Republic
- Rocky Mountain News
- Orange County Register (LA, owned by the same odd company as the COS Gazette. They’d be Far Right except for their libertarian social positions)

CONVENTIONAL RIGHT and FAR RIGHT
- None, and that’s too bad (not counting vanity projects like the Pittsburgh Union-Tribune and Washington Times, or sensationalist tabloids like the NY Post (home of the famous “Headless Body in Topless Bar!” headline); all of which would otherwise be Far Right).

I regularly read these—any I should add? I’d particularly like to know of a Conventional Right major paper, if any exists.
December 5, 2008

12:28 p.m.

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LOUIE writes:

Sorry JOHN II, after reading your wonderful comment at 1:14am concerning the ethnic make up of criminals you expressed your displeasure with, and with the comment omitting so many other nationalities and races that also commit criminal acts, something caught my attention. I noticed that while gaining insight into your thought process, that the wheel in your mind was still rapidly turning, but the hampster died long ago. My sincerest apologies to you, my humble condolences to the hampster. It must be depressing..."Gloomy Sunday" playing softly in the background, a steamy hot bath, a sharp razor, you don't have to suffer such tragedy my friend.
December 5, 2008

12:32 p.m.

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anderson writes:

You know the RMN is "left of center" how? And so your criteria for reading a newspaper is not so much to be informed but its "political slant"? Pray tell, where you going to find a less slanted source of information? Television? Radio? The internet? These days it's easy to find news sources that will cater to exclusively to whatever political or ideological point of view you want. What a challenge.
December 5, 2008

12:34 p.m.

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nicolec writes:

What I find hilarious is all the conservatives who go on and on about how liberal the RMN and Littlewin are (and blame it's failure on this shift) but yet still read his articles. When reporting on a story I agree that biases should be recognized and put away. When writing a column I disagree whole heartedly. That is the point of a column- they provoke conversation.
December 5, 2008

12:42 p.m.

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malis writes:

JonBen, yup, GunnyBob's pretty funny. I wonder if he's ever heard of “Projection” (in Psychology, the tendency to unconsciously ‘project’ your own qualities onto others).

Because having listened to The Bob in wondrous bemusement, I’d have applied his description of Littwin to him—except for the “talented,” “clever,” or “entertaining” parts of course.
December 5, 2008

12:46 p.m.

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joggle writes:

malis: I would just like to point out that at least one of the newspapers you listed as center left, The Houston Chronicle, has consistently endorsed Republicans for presidents until this year (a year in which several other newspapers that almost never endorse Democrats for presidents chose to do so this time). I think if it's not center right then your categorization of 'center right' is meaningless.

I think the problem is one of perception. Many people that listen to conservative talk radio probably think that is 'center right' whereas, in fact, it is normally far right and often not suitable for print (and would be ridiculed if it were published, similar to ones like the Washington Times).

The Chicago Tribune is the most significant center right newspaper in the US that I'm aware of. You would also probably be interested in the Wall Street Journal.
December 5, 2008

12:50 p.m.

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HolierThanThou writes:

If the Rocky goes away, where else are guys like John_II going to have a hissy fit?

If anything newspapers in the USA have a slightly conservative bias and have had that for years. They ignore many important events so that they can appear "fair and balanced". They're owned by large corporations that are run by conservatives, some of whom are almost suicidally biased.

They talked about hanging chads in 2000 when the real story was that Katherine Harris and Jeb Bush kicked over 90,000 legitimate voters off the registry within a few months of the election. Hence, we passed laws prohibiting that when the story finally leaked back to the USA via foreign press agencies and the web. Mike Coffman tried to pull that in Colorado this year and was ordered to stop twice and reprimanded by a judge.

The government did an audit of the Bush's war in Iraq in 2005 and noticed that over $9,000,000,000 (that's billions) were missing. We're talking missing as in STOLEN, no paperwork, no receipt, just gone. Short shrift was given to that story plus the fact that Bush ordered the GAO to stop auditing the war after the report was published.

Those are two important events that were ignored. These are the kinds of events that directly effect the lives of ordinary Americans.

Bias is all about whose ox is being gored at the time. Bush has been an unmitigated disaster for America. Naturally, honest reporting on his regime is going to make conservatives who supported him look foolish. That makes them mad. So, now they're crowing over the untimely demise of RMN.

Unfortunately, that JOA was a trap. Handing the means of your own destruction to your competition was a bad idea.

The Denver Post will have only a short time to celebrate the demise of the Rocky if that happens. Because if it does then they're next.

I propose that you change your business model. Use the internet to raise funds if it isn't too late. If you make the public both your stockholders and subscribers then you may have a shot at long term viability. The other benefit to using voluntary public funding is that you would not have a single entity enforcing a code of bias in your reporting.
December 5, 2008

12:50 p.m.

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Achilles writes:

"after reading your wonderful comment at 1:14am concerning the ethnic make up of criminals you expressed your displeasure with, and with the comment omitting so many other nationalities and races that also commit criminal acts," - louie

We all know, louie, that all races and nationalities commit criminal acts. Thanks for the reminder.

Unfortunately, two particular groups seem to contribute far more criminal acts than other groups. So, as I said before, I became tired of reading about it in the RMN.

As for gloominess, I am far from it. I offered insight to the RMN as a former customer - take it or leave it - I could not care less. I do not rely on the RMN for news so my life not be affected at all by the disappearance of the RMN.

But I really appreciate your advice that I kill myself with a razor. You're a classy guy, louie.
December 5, 2008

12:53 p.m.

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Achilles writes:

"If the Rocky goes away, where else are guys like John_II going to have a hissy fit?" - holier

What hissy fit? What tantrum? You folks are taking my comments way too seriously. This site is a minor recreational distraction for me. There are plenty of minor distractions on the internet. I'll manage just fine with RMN.com.
December 5, 2008

12:54 p.m.

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Achilles writes:

...without RMN.com...
December 5, 2008

12:55 p.m.

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anderson writes:

"Many people that listen to conservative talk radio probably think that is 'center right' whereas, in fact, it is normally far right..."

Most talk radio programs are unabashed propaganda. Major dailies do NOT engage in that--generally providing a variety of opinion, as well as news informed by journalist standards (fact checking, etc). I'm amazed when people treat these sources as the same, differing only in their place along a political spectrum.
December 5, 2008

1:02 p.m.

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Achilles writes:

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news...
December 5, 2008

1:15 p.m.

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LOUIE writes:

I agree JOHN II, I get so tired of always hearing or reading about the Latino and Black criminals just like you; why don't they give our people the equal ink? I like my bragging rights as a white man to be recognized too. Man with the Gambino's, Columbo's, Genovese, crime families, people like "Iceman" Richard Kuklinski, Timothy McVeigh, the Ted Bundy's, and John Gacy's, we deserve top billing, not the Latinos or Blacks, hell like Klebold and Harris, our people are so much more better at getting a bigger body count. Yeah I agree with you, the Latino and Black criminals are way over-rated, and not near as intresting to read about, why do they always get the press. I'm feeling slighted as an anglo ex-con here, Rocky you need to recognize us anglos with more respect. Thanks for bringing this grave injustice to my attention JOHN II, it truly is discrimnatory to say the least.
December 5, 2008

1:19 p.m.

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anderson writes:

Without the RMN, John the Despot won't get to make his appeals to racial prejudice. A darn shame. Well, we can always turn to talk radio for that stuff--albeit without the Willie Horton pictures.
December 5, 2008

1:28 p.m.

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Achilles writes:

louie,

If your point is that whites commit crimes, I already acknowledged that fact. So now I'm not sure what your point is other than to offer some moral preening.
December 5, 2008

1:33 p.m.

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joggle writes:

anderson: You can be amazed all you want but many conservative people get a lot of their information from talk radio (much more so than they do from newspapers). Obviously there are significant differences in quality and format between talk radio and print journalism in addition to political biases. Unfortunately, it looks like talk radio is doing much better than newspapers...
December 5, 2008

1:39 p.m.

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HopiMedicineMan writes:

The anger against the News is staggering. It's finally coming out as Littwin, the poster boy of conservative rage, "sets the record straight." A paper newspaper is light, easily portable, doesn't have to download 56 processes before I'm done with my breakfast. All my neighbors here at the FSMHP take newsprint. The News abandoned it's traditional support, lost it's identity to both political camps, in it's quest to be a liberal advocacy boutique. That the paper was improperly managed, i.e., no layoffs, no adjustment of the news to ad ratio, suggests incompetence.
December 5, 2008

1:44 p.m.

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HopiMedicineMan writes:

Joggle,
The point you're making, since conservatives don't get what they want from newspapers, they listen to talk radio. Thus talk radio continues to flourish as newspapers decline. The lesson was totally lost on Mr. Temple, as his conservative readership slipped away. Good point there Jog, I wished I'd thought of it.
December 5, 2008

1:50 p.m.

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LOUIE writes:

JOHN II, I'm asking for more press time for my people, I am extremely proud to be a white, Irish catholic, trailer park trash, of an ex-con and I think it's time we get the recognition we deserve. I like you John II, am so tired of picking up the paper and seeing the Latino's and Black's getting all the attention. Look at Lucus and O'Toole, no black tandem was more effective and as deadly as these two. Hell one of them had a dad who made him wear dresses to school, first 1950's child drag queen. Now that's intresting reading! See, some of us anglo's are quite proud of our criminal history in America, the Latino's and Blacks are just your average run of the mill killer if you get what I mean. Anybody can bust a cap on you, but how many Latino's or Black's know a good recipe like Jeffery Dahmer? Come on John II, don't sell us short just because the Rocky loves to discriminate against us. I have a right to be proud of my race too John II.
December 5, 2008

1:52 p.m.

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malis writes:

Joggle, thanks for the heads-up on the Houston Chronicle. It's just my recollection that the last couple of times I was in Houston and picked up the Chron, I was surprised by the liberal leaning of the lead editorial that day.

I can only plead a too-limited dataset...It's not on my regular rotation but I'll add it for long enough to get a representative sample and see if it changes my mind.

As to the WSJ, I was considering local dailys, not primarily national papers like the WSJ, CSM, and USAToday. Also, I don't bother with pay sites (had dropped the NYT during the time they charged). I do often pick up free copies of the WSJ in hotels and airline clubs, to read the editorials. I'd rate them Far Right. Frankly, I prefer the Financial Times (Center Right) for their broader view, and their site is free.
December 5, 2008

2 p.m.

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anderson writes:

hopi: "The point you're making, since conservatives don't get what they want from newspapers, they listen to talk radio."

I'm certain all conservatives are not so stupid as to listen to talk radio as a serious source of information. But you have a good point: talk radio tells their audience what they want to hear. What a remarkable way to market your product.

"The lesson was totally lost on Mr. Temple"

I'm guessing Mr. Temple was more interested in time-honored journalistic principles than in catering to the prejudices of a niche market. But that notion is probably lost on you.
December 5, 2008

2:03 p.m.

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Achilles writes:

Louie,

Dahmer? McVeigh? You keep naming old murderers as if Denver/Aurora is plagued with rampant white violence. I'm not sure who you are trying to convince. The vast majority of murders and violent crimes are committed by blacks and Latinos. That may hurt your liberal sensitivities but its the truth.

But, I suppose you'll come back with a new list of white criminals like Bonnie & Clyde, Jesse James, Billy the Kid, and Al Capone. Yes, Louie....point taken.
December 5, 2008

2:09 p.m.

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anderson writes:

"The News About the News" (Downie and Kaiser) (2002) is a good book about the decline of journalism, with an emphasis on newspapers.

http://www.amazon.com/News-About-Amer...
December 5, 2008

2:12 p.m.

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peterpi writes:

"many people get their news from talk radio." And you think that's good?
Come on, that is the medium that thinks Christmas isn't valid unless every shopkeeper says "Merry Christmas" -- or else! That is the medium that calls Anne Coulter a great thinker. She sure does an awful good imitation of a conceited narcisstic spoiled brat.
Can Fahrenheit 451 be far behind?
I think the JOA didn't kill the RMN, it just delayed it.
All you conservatives who think your way is the only way, and who think liberal bias killed the RMN are a can shy of a six pack.
Many of you call yourselves Christian. Where is Jesus' compassion in such venal attititude towards people who built lives here, have kids to support, mortgages to pay, and are looking at unemployment after the holidays?
Vince Carroll, Mike Littwin know how to make words sing, they know how put coherent thoughts in print. When has Rush or O'Reilly ever done that? Print is cool, radio/TV are hot. Print is deliberative, radio/TV emotive.
I'll take ink-stained wretches over rude loud-mouth talk-radio bloviators any day. Nothing will ever replace newsprint.
December 5, 2008

2:18 p.m.

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Don_Lopez writes:

“Look, if your entire skill set consists of spelling, typing and making fun of George Bush, you have no choice but to be optimistic.”

If that represents Mr. Littwin’s entire skill set he was already in big trouble because President Bush isn't going to be available to kick around much longer anyway.

Many Americans lose their jobs every day but not many get to whine about it in public. Losing your job can be very traumatic so before making fun of Mr. Littwin's situation I have to ask myself this: Has Mr. Littwin ever used his column to kick someone when they’re down?

Hell, yes!!

So I have no problem piling on although I do feel each of Mr. Littwin’s loyal readers should do his/her share to try and find Mr. Littwin his next gig.

Here’s my contribution: After the Beijing Olympics sportswriter Jay Mariotti resigned from the Chicago Tribune and, as far as I know, his job remains open. Mr. Littwin wrote about sports here and in Baltimore and I’m sure he can write as well as Mr. Mariotti.

OK, I’m almost sure he can write as well as…….OK, I’m pretty sure he can…..OK, I’m fairly sure……….
December 5, 2008

3:35 p.m.

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LOUIE writes:

Come on JOHN II, give our people some time, were working on it; it takes time to amass a sting of bodies. But don't fret none, I'm sure they'll catch a stand up anglo criminal with a yard full of bodies. Remember, it's not the quantity, but the quality. If one white guy can knock off a dozen or so bodies verses a single victim I'd say that's a little higher on the criminal food chain wouldn't you? As far as your statement concerning child abuse, I think the Archbishop just settled a multimillion dollar settlement on some anglo priests. Now if one anglo priest can rape 10 to 20 kids and we multiply that by the number of priests that have done this crime, I'd say they were much more sucessful as pedophiles verses the Latino or Black who gets caught for one or two wouldn't you say? I guess you and I have differing standards of who is on top of the criminal food chain. Hey, I heard John Gotti Jr. just got popped again, wonder if he can collect heads like his old Man? I heard his old man gave out quite a few dirt naps, but that was just business. Heck, we have anglo's that just do it for fun. See it's all about the numbers as you said JOHN II. I say one anglo can amass more victims than the Latino or Black making him America's most sucessful criminal. But hey, we used to argue this all day in the joint. I always stuck up and put up a great debate for our white race JOHN II, even the brothers had to admit it was a good arguement I put up. Name any one Black American or single Latino American that exceeds the body count of anyone of the anglo's I put up in previous posts, from the last 20 years to date JOHN II. See that's why I say we are on top of the criminal food chain, we're the best at crime! That's no easy task pal, it shows true ability to recommit a crime for years on end before getting caught wouldn't you say? Give our race it's due John II, don't sell us short like the boring old Rocky does with petty drive bys, and a few sour drug deals; us anglo have serial killers unequalled. If you read up there are still several operating throughout the country who haven't got caught yet. Forget BK or Gary Ridgeway the Green River boy popped a couple of years ago, us anglo's are still setting track records I bet when they solve some of these other serial killing currently going on in America, it's one of our people JOHN II, a good old anglo just a doing his thing. Never sell our people short John, we are good at crime baby!
December 5, 2008

3:42 p.m.

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Achilles writes:

You're a strange dude, louie.
December 5, 2008

3:47 p.m.

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LOUIE writes:

Actually, I am rather conservative as I eat democrats for breakfast, especially Ted Kennedy, Pelosi and others, yet I am registered independent. I believe in God, I favor gun ownership, don't support homosexuality, think socialism is inferior to capitalism, strongly oppose illegal immigration or amnesty for illegals. But what does my conservative politics have to do with which race is on top of the criminal food chain JOHN II?
December 5, 2008

3:59 p.m.

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LOUIE writes:

No JOHN II, I am trying to get you to look further than the color of a man's skin. I have scars I wear today because of racism, I've been stabbed, teeth broke out, more fights than I can count because of race. See when your white JOHN and you go to prison and you spent your childhood in institutions, you might come to understand how deadly racism is. A brother holds me suspect because of people like you; thus when I didn't want to fight or sling steel I had no choice in prison because I was white. Now I'm a free man, if not an old man; I would rather lay my sword down and build a few bridges.
December 5, 2008

4:12 p.m.

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NotRightorLeft writes:

So what I read from many of your postings is that people we disagree with should lose their jobs??

Where is the appreciation for free speech and expression? I love right-wing content. I love left-wing content. But, even more, I love the ability to read it and make my OWN decisions.

Newspapers are not in trouble because of biased views. They are in trouble because they're unable to generate enough advertising revenue to support their operations and payroll.

Competition for advertising dollars has become incredible over the past five years and the number of options are astounding.

Between Google, Craigslist, email marketing, etc., newspapers have lost much of the primary source of their income. Plus in an effort to compete they have had to post content for free.

Think about it: the story you read online may have taken 16 hours of research and writing as well as another 3 hours of copy editing.

Do the math at $20 per hour for a reporter that is $320 and at $25 for the editor you have another $75. Then you read it for free. And, this happens all day long – every single day.

Ultimately, the model no longer works in today's online and economic environment, but that does not mean we celebrate the demise of a great industry.

When something of value goes, you mourn its passing and celebrate its life…
December 5, 2008

5:01 p.m.

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Achilles writes:

That's all fine, louie. I never said racism was a good thing.
December 5, 2008

5:15 p.m.

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Solarslim writes:

First the Town Crier and now newsprint. I gave up on home delivery ten years ago because it had become unreliable; late, stolen, wet or simply not delivered. Then I discovered that you didn't have to be satisfied with a few columns of print biased or not. With the internet you could read several versions of the same story, do some research on the subject and come out having a much better idea of what actually happened. I also discovered that there truly is bias. I miss Gene Amole, I'll never miss the RMN.
December 6, 2008

7:37 a.m.

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LOUIE writes:

Thanks John, so maybe next time you and I pick up the paper and see a Latino or Black commiting a particular crime, we can both reflect back on some of the crimes our own people have done. God made us all, gave us all a set of laws, and we all break the laws he gave every day. Funny how I can look around my church and see every race represented there; no different in prison either. I always thought when it came to God we were all equal, and when it came to spilling blood in prison we were pretty much equal, although the brother's often held the upper hand down south. Lord knows if you're white you're going to fight down south in prison. I learned to make a lot of alliances with other races, so now that I'm free it's just another of many debts I owe. The brother who came with a gun to rob my family's store was shocked to see an unarmed man stand up and kick a$$. It cost me a bullet, but he now knows there are some us who don't lay down like the rest of his many victims did. And I've had brothers stand up for me out here, Bobby Franklin, LC who is now dying of cancer, are but a few that I had step up for me. I was smart to make friends that are willing to walk with me, as I am now obligated by frienship to walk with them. You're right JOHN, racism isn't good, it's evil like a cancer.
December 6, 2008

7:43 a.m.

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LOUIE writes:

Oh and JOHN, I'm still a racist, it's something I overcome everyday and apologize deeply for...
December 6, 2008

8:34 a.m.

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gary writes:

" would give you my true feelings about this, but my truest feelings are that your brave and faithful correspondent needs his phoney-baloney job for as long as it lasts. "

Finally a real true statement by Littwin. He most certainly is a "phoney-baloney".

Plus, one of the reasons the RMN is going down.

Nuff Said!
December 6, 2008

11:45 a.m.

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LOUIE writes:

Truly Mr. Littwin, if you can draw this much commentary on your editorials, you were worth every penny this outfit paid you. I am begining to think people read the Rocky just to crucify you, and from a businessman's perspective that's not bad! Of everybody being up on the stakes pal, you looked to have earned the center one which will always remain in the critics minds. Not bad Mr. Littwin, maybe it should be wine served upon your thirst hanging there, instead of vinegar with a reed! I'm impressed at the number of people's responses to you. Negative or positive, that's attention. I miss Gene Amole as well.
December 6, 2008

1:17 p.m.

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HopiMedicineMan writes:

Talk radio is a great source of news. I can do my physcial therapy and listen to Rush Limbaugh and become caught up on the news and his perspective, which is yards beyond the understang of most liberals. I also read the WSJ, IBD, FT and I live at FSMHP.
December 6, 2008

4:17 p.m.

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Achilles writes:

"Thanks John, so maybe next time you and I pick up the paper and see a Latino or Black commiting a particular crime, we can both reflect back on some of the crimes our own people have done." - louie

Why?

You have linked hints of racism with my words but nothing can be farther from the truth. I mentioned reading about black and Latino crime because it is the most prevalant in the Denver area.

As I have already mentioned, blacks and Latinos are not the only criminals in this Denver. But, to not single out the groups which commit the most disproportionate crimes in Denver is to hurt the very groups that suffer the most from those crimes: blacks and Latinos. There is nothing inherently racists in identifying certain troubled cultures.

Your reactionary claims of racism only serve to make sure that few people will ever acknowledge what we all know to be true.

You should not project your own feelings of guilt on others. I applaud your honesty with dealing with your own feelings of racism. But nothing I said was racist.
December 7, 2008

4 a.m.

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LOUIE writes:

JOHN, I will not trade personal insult with you, not constructive. I think crime is something whereas a piece of it belongs to all of us. Maybe some get a larger slice, but it's still an ugly pie we all share as a society. We both have identified the problem with our thoughts and examples we given, yet I always ask myself what did I do to make this a better place, not just for you my friend, but all of us. You can build more prisons, created harsher laws and penalties, deride other nationalities for their ingredients in this pie called crime; sooner or later John, at some point you will face your slice whether it's being served to you as a victim, or you're the baker of this horrid pie of misery. I ask myself everyday, what did I do personally to help end this dispicable dessert. You mentioned my guilt in dealing with racial issues, Another pie we all share together JOHN. I think each of us regardless of color have guilt. Damn John, I am glad forgiveness is at least a worthy ideal we can strive for; without it, I don't know many perfect souls that would survive punishment at the hands of the equally guilty. I wish I could rid myself of my own guilt, like the Roman vomitarium for those who over indulge. I guess we see things different JOHN. You're tired of the Latino and Black contribution to the crime pie because of their greater contribution by number; I am also equally tired of the more heinous and bitter ingredients my own people also contribute. It's never the amount of spice added, but the strenth of the spice to flavor the pie. So in closing JOHN, may God bless us both to the services of the tart with a feather, or the chastisement of purgatory, to assist us both in being more perfect in character before we go home...
December 7, 2008

4:19 a.m.

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LOUIE writes:

Oh and JOHN, please note my words more carefully, I never said you were a racist, I admitted to the fact I am a racist. I believe it was someone else who refered to you as such. Sorry, I think you're quite capable, more so than myself to evaluate who you are, or what you may or may not be. Have a great holiday, I enjoyed the time to hear you opinion John. Now this dog called Littwin, it's 12:30 and no jumpers? I hope you fair well, don't slip on the pigien poop out there on the ledge! While you're standing up there, tell the SWAT team you want Anthony's pizza delivered to the crowd down there looking up to you, there cheering for you to make a splash. Thanks!
December 7, 2008

4:30 a.m.

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LOUIE writes:

Hey Littwin, Griego, Johnson, and the rest of the editorial staff at the Rocky, what's Black and White and read all over? The editorial staff at the Rocky out on the ledge, and the huge red spots below on the sidewalk. 12:30 and no jumpers, where the hell you come up with that Littwin? Good Luck! I heard the paper in Hell, Michigan just outside Detroit is looking for help...and this Hell freezes over.
December 8, 2008

11:34 a.m.

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SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

Louie is, obviously, a hate-filled person. His rantings should be banned from this forum.
December 8, 2008

11:52 p.m.

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MereMortal writes:

I'm an old newspaper guy. I was a subscriber to the National Observer when it went away many years ago. (Trivia: Ed Dentry worked there at the time.) That was sad. Losing the Rocky is sad, but it's like losing a relative who has been in dementia for years, feelings of sadness and relief mix together. I cancelled the Rocky about 3 years ago, I couldn't stomach the writing anymore. The liberals were supercilious and the conservatives insipid. I hope the Post goes soon. I much prefer the Westword. It's an honest, national chain rad-lib paper produced with heart, honesty and a sense of humor.

Home › News › News Columns & Blogs

LITTWIN: You gotta laugh, 'cause crying hurts

By Mike Littwin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 4, 2008 at 9:16 p.m.Updated December 5, 2008 at 12:53 a.m.

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Published December 4, 2008 at 9:16 p.m.
Updated December 5, 2008 at 12:53 a.m.