July 3, 2009 | Ink By the Byte

“Never pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel” – newspaper adage

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

“Pardon Wilburette! Get the Governor on the phone!”

COMMENT: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has a humorous and well-written editorial today about an 800-pound pig discovered in the swimming pool of a Pulaski County couple. The pig escaped when a rig turned over on Interstate 40 and it looks like the sow might now have a second act to its life that doesn’t include winding up on our breakfast tables. One word of caution: Watch for falling puns when reading this editorial.

“Just once”

COMMENT: The editorial writer never says the name “Mark Sanford” but you know that’s who he is talking about. The editorial begs high-ranking politicians to stop sharing more of their intimate transgressions than they must to restore the public trust.

We don’t want to know the intimate details of your marriage and your straying from it. Or any of the other details, come to think of it. It’s your marriage. It’s your family. It’s sacred. Please allow us to stay the heck out of it, where we belong.

I agree that the man is doing himself only damage at this point by talking with too much candor. But the press isn’t going to back off as long as he keeps self-destructing. People (and by proxy, the press) are glued to these car wrecks and want to gawk at each unfolding, insipid detail. I’ll admit to tuning in each day to keep up with the latest developments in the Sanford Saga.

The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas

“Savoring Justice For Madoff” (Link not available)

COMMENT: The Morning News says Bernard Madoff’s 150-year-sentence was deserved and quotes the Associated Press that more indictments are coming. Nothing controversial here.

The Northwest Arkansas Times

“A few brief words: Remembering the time an athlete’s speech stole the show”

COMMENT: The Northwest Arkansas Times delivers an editorial straight out of left field with a eulogy to Lou Gehrig and his July 4, 1939 speech delivered as the famed baseball player was dying of the disease that now bears his name. The editorial praises Gehrig modesty and character and connects him with another local baseball player.

Happily, today’s world isn’t devoid of positive examples. One name that leaps to mind is Torii Hunter of Pine Bluff, who has won eight consecutive gold gloves playing center field for the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels. But it’s his Torii Hunter Project that stands out by providing scholarships and character curriculum to students, not to mention children with terminal illnesses.

The New York Times had a nice write up Monday on Gehrig’s speech as well with lots of links for the baseball enthusiast.

Ink by the Byte is an infrequent media criticism and editorial roundup column focused on three newspapers in Northwest Arkansas, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas and the Northwest Arkansas Times. All comments reflect the opinion of Christopher Spencer, publisher of Ozarks Unbound.

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