Guest Commentary

Red Dog's policy is if you want to write a guest commentary send it to the e-mail contact on the right. This comes from a fellow blogger and speaks for itself. Please make any comments you wish, I'm sure the author would appreciate feedback. We may not all be journalists, but we can all say what we want and the more Greenvillians speak their minds the sooner the city can make a turn. Thanks to the Author.

How can a "for profit" media company or companies have any chance of surviving when the advertising base is so miniscule that offending less than two dozen stores/companies can wreck business?

It's an ethical question deserving of intense study. At what point must an organization trade some non-objectivity for pure survival?

Trust me, I've been there and done that - emphasis on "done that." First, there's no chance a writer, editorialist, etc. can speak freely as they're paid or as readers expect. It's not that local business won't back a media outlet that tells it straight, it's that the testing of a harder-on-society brand of news hasn't been tested. "Shedding light" on topics makes a huge difference societally.

I'm not talking the day to day crime coverage - that's petty and disheartening. I'm talking about the deeper stories that reflect society.

I'm talking about the grandparents around T.L. Weston who have slept on the floors at night so bullets flying through their windows can be dodged.

I'm talking about street reports of Greenville police officers shooting dice in the Nelson-street area gambling parlors.

I'm talking about the fact that many of 2002 "record setting" murders were the killings of local drug informants - outted by leaks from the "inside" and ultmately unprotected in some cases.

I'm talking about the latest, and greatest, vehicles seen pulling up at the DHS for the monthly welfare check.

I'm talking about rampant income tax fraud or child swapping for the Earned Income Tax Credit.

I'm talking about a common belief that a girl is "grown" whenever her body allows her to get pregnant, thus opening the Earned Income Tax Credit funds for her (which is much of what it's about).

I'm talking about parents whose kids stay up all night, often alone, and barely make it to school.

I'm talking about Deltans who won't register to vote for "fear" of being called to jury duty - then complaining about the local judicial system.

I'm talking about substandard housing which the city silently endorses and its "Lords" that earn local praise for their "commitment to the communities in which they live."

I'm talking about dilapidated homes which aren't appropriately labeled because someone lives in the house.

I'm talking about the process by which Greenvillle leaders select their department heads, namely, police chiefs.

I'm talking about the never discussed rivalry between Washington County and Greenville City leaders.

I'm talking about a public school board and its taxation and fiscal policy.
I'm talking about worker training issues - the giant elephant in the room of every economic development meeting.

I'm talking about industrial incentives that don't require any commitment from the incoming company - as Textron's short stay exposed.

I'm talking about the real track record of industrial leaders - a win/loss record over the long-term policy of factual vagueness.

I'm talking about local election improprieties that are 100% swept under the rug like decades past.

I'm talking about non-assuming ministers and community leaders who work hard in the streets - not just in front of cameras.

I'm talking about city initiatives that never offer a final result because it's better an issue die than it be defeated.

I'm talking about a rubber stamp city council that follows the city manager (though it's apparent they hired him because he held more knowledge from Kentucky than did current leadership in some cases)

I'm talking about property valuation continually rising despite mass exodus of residents (1% a year) and a complete buyer's market for existing homes.

I'm talking about asking large industrial corporations (with no Delta links) how school systems affect their relocation decisions in general.

These issues aren't negative as many people would lead us to believe. They are legitimate issues-based inquiries that would be quality print or televised journalism for those willing to make a cursory involvement in civic or political affairs. Some of these questions are hard to explain and would require time. Some could never be told because they are too sensitive, if very important. But, some of these questions offer fascinating answers - they must!

I admire any "outsider" who chooses the Delta as the place to advance a career or ply a trade. But make no mistake, people come to jobs because a position offers professional or personally advancement. There is no altruism in paying one's bills. Recent articles suggest a prominent media figure may not have taken the job if he'd come early and checked out the situation. Good question - what happens when prospects do their homework prior to taking a local job, especially a prominent one? You may not take it.

Those walking in blindly see "it" hit them months after the fact. You take months thinking you'll make difference. You'll take a few months after that suggesting "it" can't be as they're assuming it really is - thus in denial. You'll take another few months blaming outside but mysterious forces beyond anyone's control. "Johnny Come Latelies (sp?)" then ultimately exit stage right, offering a smile and a resignation comment rooted more in pacifying the populace than admitting they felt helpless to make social or cultural change - a key component of a satisfying career for any journalist or information "gatekeeper" in print or broadcast. And these are powerful positions in any community.

I understand the motives behind "happification" and respect those who give the scene a wholehearted attempt at actually making measurable improvements. It's about financial survival and the justification of plying a career, we all hope, "makes a difference" somehow. Toughing it out isn't always the smart strategy if "toughing it" means beating your head against a brick wall of public consciousness and prevailing thought.