the Controversial Committee Report
“We don’t raise sacred cows...we just butcher them.”
August 18, 2020
TO: Dallas Morning News Board Members and Management Team
Robert W. Decherd John A. Beckert Louis E. Caldera Ronald D. McCray
Grant S. Moise Julie Hoagland Kathy Murray Christine E. Larkin
Please, chalk this letter up to all my stay-in-house days, mask wearing, and doctor visits. I believe frustration could also be included with this mix of venting.
The DMN is totally wrong with their tsunami of “pop ups” to have folks sign up in order to read health related articles, or find out what the latest news might be concerning the virus spreading in Dallas County, or…who now bakes the best chocolate chip cookies in Dallas.
From all outward appearances, this action reflects the DMN is more interested in raking in cash over providing health related news to the populace. Is there any wonder why newspaper subscriptions continue to decline?
And as a card carrying member of the Watchdog Nation, I cannot even read the weekly columns without “pop ups” wanting me to subscribe, or provide personal information…e-mail address to receive future solicitations to subscribe. Some individuals with religious bents would declare this a genuine mortal sin.
I wrote Mr. Mike Wilson concerning this “pop up,” non-readable issue when the virus was beginning to spike in Dallas County. Of course, his response was the paper’s talking points which wouldn’t ring true with individuals needing to understand the pandemic raging in our communities. He noted to me: We believe our journalism has value and our asking readers to pay a reasonable price for it.” WOW!
I fully understand journalist require employment and should be paid for all their efforts, but the DMN might also have opportunities for federal emergency funds, and certainly advertising revenue funds not available to most readers. Readers are struggling with family needs and, in many cases, unemployment.
Did the DMN seek to obtain, or receive any of the federal relief funds? This is difficult to determine as the first couple of pages of Google search reflect DMN articles which cannot be accessed due to “pop ups.” Isn’t this a dim light on transparency?
So, to assist my family and keep up with the news needed, I now rely on: The New York Post, Drudge Report, Dallas County web site, local city web site, national and local cable channels, and other outlets which provide user friendly and useful information to help navigate during these trying times. And there is no cost to read or hear the information, or by being subjected to multiple solicitations to subscribe in order to know what is occurring.
The DMN seriously needs to rethink their self-serving policy of depriving non-subscribers the ability to read articles related to the virus pandemic which affects us all. Who knows? Providing this service just might cause individuals to reconsider a subscription to the DMN.
Sincerely,
Mike E. Howard
Ringtail Productions Limited
LAWYER STUFF: Dylan’s Ruffings, the Controversial Committee Report, ZAP! and the O-file are published by Mark Holbrook who everyone knows -- except for a couple apathetic slugs whose IQ equals their shoe size -- is Mike Howard. Any reference to persons deceased is purely out of respect. For those still living, draw your own conclusions. Get in line if you want to sue or complain. Better yet, call someone who might really care. Letters written must meet at least one of the following criteria: humorous, cat kicking, or not libelous. Simple requirements for simple readers...that’s our philosophy. “Cool and the Geezer” is syndicated by Ringtail Productions Limited and all rights are reserved. The CCR and ZAP! are printed and issued only when local political idiocy becomes laughable. Permission is granted to copy, fax, or e-mail this report to a friend, associate, or someone you really don’t like. The “candid” conversation reports have been injected with fabricated nouns, verbs, conjunctions, adverbs, modifiers and maybe a few dangling participles. All previous reports, butchered sacred cows and blog responses are posted at:
http://controversialcommittee.blogspot.com
First “cat kicked” in 1984 Contact: markholbrook13@yahoo.com August 18, 2020
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