PUBLIC VIEWPOINT: The Merger And Fish Wrap

Since the merger of the Northwest Arkansas Times and The Morning News, it’s difficult to find anyone who actually has anything nice to say about the new paper. I guess I could try. What did the guy say to Peter Fonda in Futureworld?

“It’s gonna wrap a lot of fish!”

But, while we’re on things of a fishy nature, let’s look at the “new and improved” Northwest Arkansas Times.

Stylistically, it’s a mess. All that remains of the NWA Times on the front is the masthead and the font on the top news item. The rest is in the style of The Morning News.

They could fix this, I suppose, if they were of a mind to. But since they are, essentially, now the only game in town, why should they bother?

While many no doubt appreciate the stories of bravery on the part of troops fighting overseas on the front page of the Northwest Arkansas Times, one can’t help butnotice two things:

This ongoing series actually pushes local reporting from the cover, as sometimes it takes almost half of the entire first page.

Some of the stories (at least so far) have focused on folks who aren’t even from Arkansas. Come on, folks. It’s a page-filler, pure and simple. This isn’t even an issue of patriotism. It’s an issue of not having enough news to put on the front page.

RICHARD S. DRAKE

Fayetteville

TAXPAYERS LEFT WITH BILL Please explain Mr. Boozman.

According to the Wall Street Journal, (U.S. Rep. John) Boozman and 11 other legislators went to Scotland for a five-day conference to learn first hand the views and concerns other countries haveabout key security issues. Please explain why 11 of 12 legislators left after the third day of the conference. Why did only six of 12 legislators attend the first day meeting? Why was a Presidential Suite and two other rooms rented for $1,500 per day for five days?

This room was used as a bar, snack room and office space. Why were two vehicles rented and two drivers hired at $2,500 per day for touring, shopping trips, and transportation to dinners and conferences? We are in a severe recession thanks to government. Our national debt is over $12 TRILLION. Why wasn’t this taken care of over the phone instead? With 11 of 12 legislators leaving after the third day of a fiveday conference this appears to be another waste of taxpayers money.

Americans are sick of charge now pay later. IT’S NOT YOUR MONEY.

BILL OSTENDORF

Bella Vista