Do you see what I see?

 "Street Talk" is my local Post newspaper's section with a daily question, mostly regarding current events. Originally, answers had a 90 character maximum, requiring much thought and rework to intelligently present a stance. Respondents are encouraged and are now given 250 characters to express a vote of provided selections or their own. Amongst are thought-provoking, humorous, condescending, awakening, etc. Near as I can tell, all are published, 7 days per week! Though I don't keep track, I estimate an average of 40 plus Post readers take time to contribute and, most days, even more!  Currently, I see many new faces and names. Fantastic! I don't agree with all contributors, but they provide insights I might not have previously considered. Coffee cup in hand, my reactions vary from, insightful, hilarious, the current vernacular's, 'WTF,' to a good, old fashioned, "Meh!"  

You can read a book or column, written by one person, who offers his/her opinion and those who combine opinion with research and proven facts.  My newspaper shows me what the 'by, of and for' really feel, which is why I implore everyone to read, study, learn and THEN make a decision.  Listening to only one is counterproductive. My home delivered newspaper sits on the table, a ready reference, should I need clarification or further thought. So-called 'smart' phones quickly push current events into the past, caused by our addiction to see what excitement the latest 'beep' contains.  My newspapers cover many categories under 'Headline' or section, whereas an iphone/ipad/idunno, etc., requires a separate app for each subject, be it, news, stock market, sports, weather, et al.

Ohio's largest(?) newspaper has transitioned from daily home-delivery, to only 4 days...so far, due to financial hurdles. It provides no daily question. The only reader commentary is derived from, "Letters to the Editor," subject to being reworked and/or shortened, that might appear in less than the aforementioned 4 day delivery.  Very seldom have I seen more than 3 LTEs.  That is NOT considered enviable audience participation!  Might paragraph #1 above be cause for emulation?  

A newspaper provides information from the minds of many, allowing us to make intelligent choices. It's what you can expect in a democracy/republic. When that's gone, your freedoms are close behind.  The lyrics of, 'You don't know what you've got til it's gone' carries a lot of weight!

Subscribe to a local or national newspaper.  The weekly cost is near what you spend for just one cup of a fancy logo coffee shop's mocha latte mint single swirl half mountain lite, that gramma called a percolated 'Cuppa Joe.'

Finally, you'll provide jobs for many who do their best to keep you 'in the know.'  So, do you see what I see?