in the form of liberal rants on the radio is never talked about.
He fantasized about how he wished there were an angel of death that would sweep down across the fruited plain and destroy the "[filtered phrase]". But, you, Mr. Writer object to
Keith as an editorial writer and some of us agreeing with what he writes. If it doesn't pass your inspection, then we must end it.

Usually we hear the whining of police and fire engines, but now we hear the whining of liberals.

Go figure.

I don't have a clue who Mike Malloy is, but unless he's a local left wing nut he has no bearing in this discussion Sadie.

I honestly think you are more reasonable much of the time than some of the other regulars here, but you have illustrated a growing problem. Using an extreme case and applying it to all you disagree with. That's the MO of extremists and while it works to fan the flames in those of like mind, it turns off the vast majority of people, who are much more moderate.

Here we had a nice local paper that did a nice job on local and regional issues and sold papers and ads based on that. If they dove into politics it was almost always tied to a local or regional concern on the minds of many in this part of the state.

It's changed dramatically from that with the arrival of Keith. This is no surprise--perhaps it was to some but as someone who knows him and watched his work in other papers in the past, he has always been ultra conservative with a penchant for directly attacking those he disagrees with in print on a regular basis.

What I can't say I have seen before is the frequent direct use of the latest far right wing national or international issue of the day in a local, regional paper. For months you could count on the hottest story on Fox News or the Drudge report or similar far right wing, highly biased source to end up in one of Keith's "editorials". Often times repeating the same "facts" that--as radical views often are--could easily be disproved as false or intentionally misleading, with political gain as the goal.

It is such a drastic change, the bias is so strong, and the message is so far away from local or regional issues--that it raises legitimate questions about the motives of the publishers. I know from talking to them that at least some dispatch staff did not know of Keith's style and work in the past--that was not likely the case with those who hired him.

Some people who expressed alarm early were told to be patient, that the intent was to have a Fox News/MSNBC thing going, i.e. a right wing editorial balanced out by a left wing one, on an ongoing basis. A lousy idea for a local paper IMO but in any case, all we saw for months was a steady dose of far right writing.

Maybe the failure of such tactics in the recent election will inform the publisher and lead to changes. Maybe Keith will move on as he has frequently in the past. If not, all we can do is continue to not buy the paper and complain to advertisers. This was not something that was dreamed up by the staff there--it came from the new owners.

to see a conservative working in the print media! Welcome and thank you, Keith!

but Mr. Houle shot himself in the foot : "Kinda miss Roy Miller’s spin..." If all we want is spin, then, by all means, send Hansen packing. But I thought journalists and editors took pride in their objectivity and fairness and balance. In fact, they will defend themselves for such (ad infinitum, ad nauseum).

No, I think Keith Hansen was added precisely because it was blatantly obvious to the readership that there was a clear leftist slant to the paper. These people might admit to being left of center but only slightly left-of-center and writers like Cal Thomas as "far right." But they have to maintain a sense of respectability so they replace them with David Brooks and Kathleen Parker. Now there's balance. (It's my theory and I'm sticking to it.)

(In the comments section however, they're "republicons," or "tea-baggers." Kinda brings you back to your grade-school days, doesn't it? Name calling, petty jealousies, etc.)

Even though I think I am close, I agree that an occasional piece by Hansen may seem balanced, but it, in no way, balances out anything. With a steady stream of WaPo editorials over the years, there's no way they can claim objectivity. I do find the Keith Hansen timing curious, however.

I wonder too what Mr. Houle actually means. Liking to be spun to me is an admission that he doesn't mind being led down a primrose path in spite of evidence to the contrary. It might be entertaining but it certainly has very little redeeming value for the electorate.

According to Mr. Rino, I'm illustrating a "growing problem".

I've scheduled an appointment with my Doctor to diagnose my problem. Better to do it before the year is over as
my insurance has to change the first of the year.

Thanks for the heads up Rino.

Just in time...

Conservatives do. You libs vote with other people's $$$$$.

FYI FNB- Conservative Red states take more from the government than they give, while the Blue liberal states give more to the government than they take.

The sheep are really baaaaaa'ing!!

Oh come on bond most on here already know that you & cappy are leading the charge so you two can legally get married!!! In this state. Just remember that will NOT distract you from thee real ISSUES right??

You Rock!! Thank-You Sir!!!! About time this lib town Grew-Up & the other 1/2 arse figured it out! A-MEN Sir!

Hey RINO. You need to clean up the DNR before you worry about this paper. Take care of your own criminals before you chastise anyone else.

I just tried to post a comment on that article and thought it odd that no one had commented. It would not let me add a comment.

I recently saw an election 2012 map that was red and blue
counties. I don't remember where I saw it, because I'm not interested in just a map. There is more to the story, big cities, urban areas go blue and mostly rural areas go red.
Red areas like N.D. and Alaska are less populated.
Most states have the same public education system, except the inner cities schools which usually are bad. The East has many private schools and, of course, more population.
Many prep schools in the East not so much in the inner cities or in rural areas.

I wish someone in public education -- Arne Duncan maybe
would put effort into the inner city schools and start with Chicago. They are not learning and it is the parents,
the system and the teachers. (Chicago, not ours).

I think Brd has great teachers at least, most that I have known.