16 Comments

I appreciate the emails from both you and Will.

Expand full comment

Let your friends know we are still writing and subscribe.

Expand full comment

Spot on. Have enjoyed this program over the years as it provides a bit of sanity and reason to national politics.

Expand full comment

I started at 15. finished at 62. Loved it always. Search for signs of life. Thanks for your memories of journalism in large cities and small towns. Mostly gone but not forgotten. So proud of you and Will.

Expand full comment

Mr. Tingley, I so very much appreciate the work you and your colleagues like Will have done and are continuing to do.

Expand full comment

Much appreciated.

Expand full comment

The decline of the PS has been sad and in keeping with what’s happening with small papers nationwide. I hope they can someday see a resurrection. I’ll continue to support them until the end. It seems like we’ve had a sea change and all politics is now national. I’m as guilty in that way of thinking as anyone.

When I watched TV, I watched PBS Newshour. Can’t imagine choosing any source over it. I believe it was Gwen Ifill doing it the last I saw.

I chose better on the poll because I have some optimism that Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will be behind bars or will have otherwise faced justice by the end of 2023. I feel a little guilty making that choice because it’s such a cliché to slag on the current year at the end of it and I think 2022 was a pretty outstanding year.

“Less of you will vote.”

Just want to edit the editor here with one of my biggest peeves. Sometimes I feel I’m losing but I’ve seen grocery stores that have corrected it, so hope springs eternal.

“Fewer of you will vote.”

After this battle, the one against led being spelled as lead. 😤

Expand full comment

Wow --- 57% think the world will be better...and 29% the same.

only 35 votes in as I write this, but maybe it is good there are not as many pessimists (or realists) as I am. Or, maybe the 86% believe we are at rock bottom and can't go any lower.

But back to the beginning and: David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart. One of the things I have always enjoyed about them is.... Judy Woodruff didn't need to stop Brooks and Capehart from filibustering the show. Both gentleman are respectful, intelligent and very good at being honest about an issue.

I have seen both Brooks and Capehart say -- the other side has the momentum or high road on various issues. However partisan they might be, they do not deny facts.

A lot of what I have seen in political discussions is the trend to present opinions as facts. In fact, if you notice most discussions of issues, political, scientific, environmental and more -- take place on opinion shows.

And the hosts, often not an expert in any of the issues.. will take a side.. Judy Woodruff never seemed to have a side, just questions.

here is that segment

https://www.pbs.org/video/brooks-and-capehart-reflect-on-the-year-in-politics-1672444848/

"Egos are not allowed here."

Expand full comment

I think your key observation is “respectful.” That is certainly gone from prime time cable shows. And in many cases, from social media. I’d like to think that 2022 was better than 2021 and 2023 will be better than 2022. I tend to be optimistic. And ultimately, it depends on what you measure this by.

Expand full comment

I want you to be right!

Expand full comment

Our current losses in good informational sources does not bode well for our communities.

Expand full comment

It does not.

Expand full comment

Ken Tingley,

I just finished reading your latest book THE LAST AMERICAN NEWSPAPER.

To me, it was a book that I could not put down. While reading it, my my mind was never at rest, anxious for the next chapter.

May I be allowed to simply compliment your effort by just commenting “…this is good stuff!”

I unexpectedly found THE LAST AMERICAN NEWSPAPER to be a very sincere and honestly presented compilation of a great variety

of “ insider” stories that revealed the hard work of many talented ( and then….. fewer and fewer)

Post Star employees, their work ethic , personal insights, industry and honesty in creating a good local daily newspaper.

In the future, where will we find our local sources of investigative journalism?

I think the answer is….. I don’t know.

Expand full comment

Can’t imagine a better compliment than “this is good stuff.” Thank yo so much. Also, saw your review on Amazon.

Expand full comment

Ken, Am so glad you mentioned the "sign-off" news broadcast of Judy Woodruff on the PBS Newshour. We also watched it and were truly moved by the goodbyes given to her by Brooks and Capehart. It was a show for the memory books.

PBS is the best source for unbiased, insightful reporting. Its too bad more people done't get it, instead refusing to deviate from their treasured Fox and some of the other cable so-called "news" broadcasts. I've been saying lately a more accurate title for "Fox News" would be "Fox Opinion",. Remember the "fair and balanced" slogan of theirs?? You're right, it's not so much news at all but biased entertainment.

Can't leave without mentioning Liz Cheney (and Adam Kinzlinger), despite some ideological differences, she especially is a true hero of mine and a profile of courage. She puts to shame the feckless Republicans who are staying silent regarding Trump's malfeasance.

Expand full comment

I have followed J. Woodruff for years. She is a wonderful journalist! I wish her luck in the future and will watch for her projects.

Expand full comment