Category Archives: Social Issues

Are Newspapers Dying?

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My friend Chris suggested that I blog about the declining popularity of the printed newspaper. I’m no expert on the subject, but I occasionally hear and read that newspaper ads are becoming less and less attractive, due largely to the added flexibility of Internet selling sites such as Craiglist and eBay. Circulation is dropping for a variety of reasons. The cost of paper continues to rise, as does the cost of delivery due to gas prices (although I’ve now seen gas for under $2 again). Presumably the cost of subscribing is also rising, but I don’t know for sure since I haven’t bought a paper in so long. I know my parents and grandparents still subscribe to a daily newspaper, although I haven’t in several years. The vast majority of my news comes from the Internet, including DallasNews.com (the online version of the Dallas Morning News), CNN.com, and MSNBC.com. I don’t watch the news much on TV and HATE local news coverage. For some, the habit of reading a paper in print form will be very hard to break. However, as the production costs continue to rise, circulation declines, and revenue falls for classified ads and commercial ads, I wonder how long printed newspapers will be around.

What do you think? Will printed newspapers still exist in 5 years? 10? 20? Also, please vote in my poll on newspaper subscriptions on the right.

“Just ‘Cause They’re Black”?

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I’ve read and heard some people say that Obama will get the black vote simply because he’s black (even though he’s only half black). Back when Hillary was in the running, I heard people assume that female Democrats would vote for her simply because they were female. Some probably assume the same about women voting for McCain now that Palin has joined his ticket. I’m sure you’ve heard similar stereotypes about these or other groups, such as Mexicans, Asians, Jews, Arabs, Christians, or gays. It’s tempting to paint a group with a very broad brush and forget that any group is made of individuals who might or might not match the group’s stereotype. I’ve done it myself, and you probably have as well. Why? Convenience? Prejudice? Ignorance? The problem is that doing so assumes that each individual lacks the capacity to think for him- or herself and make independent decisions. What an insult! Here are some other assumptions that you might have heard:

  • All Mexicans are here illegally.
  • All preachers just want your money.
  • All poor people are lazy.
  • All Christians are Republicans.
  • All environmentalists are liberal wackos.
  • All Muslims are terrorists.
  • All Americans are self-centered warmongers.
  • All cops like donuts.

Obviously all of these are false, but there are people who honestly believe them, or at least spout them off. There are many other, even more sinister and offensive assumptions out there. A CNN columnist wrote an interesting article about this issue with regard to the black community. Sure, analyzing the differences among various groups requires some generalization. But almost any generalization is bound to have some exceptions.

Discussion vs Debate

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Ever pay attention to what happens in a conversation when a disagreement arises? It generally depends on the people involved. For the Discussers, a disagreement is an opportunity to compare ideas and share knowledge. One person tells his/her view, and the other follows. If one happens to accept the other’s position, fine. If neither wants to cave, they continue discussing or simply agree to disagree and move on.

For the Debaters, a disagreement is a challenge to debate and defeat the other person rather than to share information. Not until the opponent changes his/her mind does the battle end. The Debater cannot stand the thought of someone else disagreeing with him and will fight through any number of means, including bullying, sarcasm, mocking, and persistence.

I think the majority of people I know are Discussers, but I definitely know a few Debaters. For me, Discussers are much more pleasant to talk to.

The Unsinkable Ship?

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In the early 1900s, a British shipmaking company called White Star Line built a massive cruise ship called Titanic, claiming it was so large and so well-designed that it was practically unsinkable. As Cal Hockley put it in the movie, “God himself couldn’t sink this ship.” As we all know, this was not the case.

As the news rolls in from Washington and the financial world, I can’t help but think about the spectacular sinking sequence near the end of the movie. The bow is submerged, slowly raising the stern from the icy water. Deafening creaks of steel from the dying vessel almost drown out the panicked voices and frantic footsteps. Finally the strain on the ship breaks most of it in half at midship with a mighty crash. The forward half of the ship goes under, pulling the aft to vertical for a moment before finally dragging it to its grave at the bottom of the dark Atlantic.

Although I’m no financial expert, I must admit that I wonder if the United States and our economy are similar to that tragic ship. Even after its $10 drop on Monday, oil is still very expensive with an uncertain future. The stock market is plummeting after Congress failed to pass the bailout package. The housing market is still in shambles. Few of us fully understand what’s going on and what it will take to fix the economy, so many are afraid. Hear the steel creaking?

Am I overreacting? Probably. But not one of us knows for sure what lies ahead. I cling to one thing on this ship to keep me sane: not the indomitable spirit of man, for man is broken and flawed. Not the power and incomprehensible wealth of the United States, because there are no guarantees they will last and many examples from history that suggest another power will take our place as the world leader. Not my wonderful family, which makes hard times much easier but can’t make them go away. I cling to the simple but life-changing truth that God is in control and has a plan for every one of us. I will fight to keep myself and my family focused on Him whether we relax on Lido Deck, huddle on a liferaft, or tread water and wait for rescue.

Alcohol Sales in Irving

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One issue on the ballot for Irving is a proposal to allow sales of beer and wine in Irving. This issue has been on the ballot twice over the last few years, losing by a large margin in 2004 and only a small margin in 2006. This time I believe it will pass because of the large voter turnout for the presidential election. The main area of concern is South Irving, the older section of town which has become lower-income and more run-down over the last couple of decades. Many residents consider most of the areas south of 183 to be in decline and fear that allowing alcohol sales in convenience stores, grocery stores, and liquor stores will only make things worse, leading to higher crime and further deterioration. Proponents of the bill argue that since alcohol is already available in nearby cities, those who want to drink will get their alcohol one way or another. Allowing sales in Irving would have little negative impact while making it easier for responsible drinkers who want to buy their beer or wine in Irving instead of driving to another city.

Right now, Jenny and I plan to vote YES because we want to be able to pick up a bottle of wine at the grocery store, just like we did in Euless and Keller/Watauga. South Irving is going downhill for a variety of reasons, including drugs, illegal immigration, and lax code enforcement. Putting beer and wine in the 7-11s won’t help the situation, but isn’t going to make that big of a difference, either.

The Future of Oil?

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Oil jumped over $16/barrel on Monday, the biggest one-day gain ever. The price of oil had dropped below $100 for a short while, reducing gasoline and jet fuel prices a bit. While reading about the jump, I found an interesting article by one of the “peak oil” theorists, who believe that the world’s oil supply either already has or soon will peak and then level off or start falling. The author believes that the Saudis have significantly overstated their reserves. He also believes that growth in demand from India and China will continue so rapidly that the world’s supply will be unable to meet demand, sending oil prices up to $300, $400, or even $500 a barrel. $500 oil would transform our economy in ways we can only begin to imagine. If $140 oil sent gasoline and jet fuel prices up to $4/gallon, $500 oil might drive gasoline and jet fuel over $14/gallon. For me in my fuel-efficient Honda Fit, my 16-mile round trip to work would cost $7. A drive to Wichita Falls and back to visit family would cost over $100. Air travel might become so expensive that few could afford it, jeopardizing the entire industry and my job. The price of most goods would skyrocket due to transportation costs.

Now, are these peak oil theorists right or just a bunch of naive pessimists? Only God knows. I hope they are wrong, but I certainly don’t know enough about the issue to know which perspective is correct. Either way, we must become more efficient with our natural resources, both as a society and individually. Otherwise, my son and niece will have to deal with a mess they didn’t create.