Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Why are 12 more gun deaths front-page news?

An accident on Route 4 east in Teaneck this morning backed up traffic in Paramus, above, and beyond. Despite high tolls and expensive gasoline, most of the cars and SUVs carry lone drivers, a testament to the sorry state of public transit under Governor Christie.


By Victor E. Sasson
Editor

I'm pretty certain more than 12 people have been killed by gun violence in both Newark and Paterson this year, two cities that had to lay off police officers because of Governor Christie's mean-spirited cuts in state aid.

Have you seen that story on Page 1 of The Record?

The deaths of 13 on Monday at the Washington Navy Yard, including the gunman, is all over the front-page of the Woodland Park daily today (A-1 and A-6).

It's the kind of sensational story newspaper editors like Marty Gottlieb love, but readers are just shaking their heads.

Politicians to blame

What should be on the front page is how Christie and politicians in Washington and other states have caved into the National Rifle Association and its deep pockets, refusing to tighten gun control -- despite one mass shooting after another.

The Navy Yard massacre may accomplish one thing: Drawing attention to bloated government payrolls. An astounding 18,000 people work there (A-6).

What statement?

Another front-page story is written in a sky-is-falling tone.

Staff Writer Melissa Hayes, one of the reporters who is firmly in Christie's corner, says state Sen. Barbara Buono did not submit "her story" to voters.

Hayes is referring to an optional candidate's statement on sample ballots for the Nov. 5 gubernatorial election that are sent to nearly 5.5 million registered voters in the state (A-1).

I vote in every election, and my reaction is, What statement?

Anti-Buono stance

The reason Hayes and the editors think this is such a big deal is that they long ago dismissed Buono's campaign, and have taken every opportunity to tell readers how poorly she is doing in the polls.

Her campaign message never appears on the front page, which seems to be reserved for Christie and the shore's recovery from Superstorm Sandy. 

They've also ignored the issues and what a poor job the GOP bully is doing as governor -- on gun control, mass transit, exorbitant tolls, women's health, local property taxes and job creation.

Christie idolatry

Christie is clearly the worst New Jersey governor ever, and I'm not the only one who thinks so:

In a letter to the editor today (A-8), Paul Fraser of Fair Lawn says, "Can journalists like Editorial Page Editor Alfred P. Doblin stop fawning over this governor, who really hasn't accomplished very much?"

"We continue to see very depressing economic news in New Jersey, and Governor Christie is clueless as to help those without a job. We see him going against the will of the people on issues like same-sex marriage and the medical marijuana program ....

"What is the appeal of this man," Fraser asks.

New photo

Did you notice the updated photo of Staff Writer Virginia Rohan, one of the most talented writers in the newsroom (A-1)?

OK. Rohan has devoted too much time and space to those slutty New Jersey housewives, but she was probably under orders from her editor.

Now, Gottlieb should update the photos of Columnist Mike Kelly, he of the shit-eating grin; of Jill Schensul, the haggard, jet-lagged Travel section editor; and of the befuddled, error-prone John Cichowski, aka the Road Warrior. 

Living dead

In Local today, Staff Writer Jay Levin has two expanded obituaries of prominent North Jersey residents (L-1 and L-6).

Of course, the Rev. Eugene Palumbo, 91, a Paterson native; and Dr. Robert McCabe, 88, formerly of Englewood, made plenty of headlines when they were alive.

Readers might ask where are the obituaries of their neighbors, whose accomplishments the paper routinely ignores, and why aren't there more African-American life stories published?

Shameful

If you've ever doubted the vast majority of people are morons, racists and worse -- or the media's role in making them that way -- see the story on the front of Better Living.

I'm shocked at the reaction to an Indian-American woman winning the Miss America contest (BL-1).

Now, that's Page 1 news.

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