By Bill Monroe
An old newsroom saw suggested a reporter’s/journalist’s value was measured by their value to readers and whether they angered enough of them by telling the truth.
A 50-50 split among reactions marked a pretty even keel.
These days, the advent of the internet not only is killing responsible journalism, it often skews that reactionary split to at least 90-10 or more – all on the negative side.
I don’t believe for a moment there are more than 50 percent, or even 10 percent, of readers angered by what they read.
But the increasing cascade of squeaky wheels erupting from social media has drowned out apathy and entrenched itself in the social psyche, splitting the world at a time when it’s critical to the earth’s future for mankind to come together.
Which brings me to fishing (finally!).
I recently wrote a piece about the final regulations on the Oregon Coast for fall Chinook and coho salmon that included this passage about the historically complicated array of rules:
Ever tried to solve a jigsaw puzzle displaying a cobweb?
We’ve already seen Columbia and Willamette river seasons come and (mostly) go, and face unprecedented regulations for Columbia fall salmon fishing, a Chinook closure in the ocean south of Cape Falcon (until Sept. 1), an abrupt (Friday night) closure of summer Chinook fishing on the Columbia and a potential closure of spring Chinook fishing looming on the Willamette.
All you deniers can rest easy with your angst as you squirm in your armchairs and try to blame it on someone … anyone.
Sorry, folks. It’s here and coming at us fast — faster than you can say scapegoat.
Why are humpback whales in the Columbia estuary for the first time in memory?
I try to return at least some of my emails, detractors or not, although usually resist the urge (even in my golden years) to give those who resort to bad language a like response.
However, the following seemed worth responding to a tad more thoroughly. Not sure why, but I, too, get frustrated by cascading passive ignorance.
This writer seemed relatively intelligent and understandably upset about changes dulling his outdoor passion:
Hi Bill
As a journalist your job is to look out for the interests of the public, for you especially the fishermen. By making the comment ” does anyone need more than 2″ (note: I had asked why anyone needs more than two large wild fall Chinook per year from the coast) it implies that you are on board with the idiodic (sic) regulation methods done by the state. Why can’t you point out that these biologists and environmentalists that work for and run the state fisheries, have way too many people with way too much time to sit around and change the rules on a daily basis. I’m starting to feel like it’s a waste of time to own a boat and teach my kids how to fish and be self-sufficient.
In the old days the state posted the rules and regulations and if need be, they were modified the next year, nowadays, the normal guy risks losing his boat if he doesn’t call a lawyer and get a rules update before planning a fishing vacation.
Because you are onboard with global warming, I know you are a brainwashed progressive liberal and I should have my head examined for ever reading your column, but I suppose you need to pander to the rest of the libs at your paper. It’s good to know the government has gotten their propaganda machine down to the point where they even have the outdoor writers attempting to indoctrinate common sense Americans.
You should just retire before doing any more harm and damage to the fishermen’s interests.
Former Oregonian of 45 years,
Don Rigby
(I don’t know where he lives, but at least he signed his name. Most don’t. Not sure why.)
My response:
Thanks for the note Don.
a) I actually am retired…semi- anyway.
b) I don’t pander to anyone despite your clever wording.
c) Journalists aren’t here to look out for the interests of the public, they’re here (what’s left of true journalists anyway) to tell the public facts so the public can look out for itself without having to dodge hidden nefariousness.
d) I’m more of a columnist anyway. (You can actually get more than two wild Chinook a year in a few coastal estuaries in case you need more.)
e) I’m grateful you wasted your time reading the column (not a journal, remember) and sincerely hope this rinses your brain after all that washing.
Best regards,
Bill
(on a serious note, I do appreciate all kinds of feedback. It underscores the basic precepts of what’s left of our constitution.)
(Oh, and I hope you don’t mind that in my spare time between indoctrinations I’m deeply involved in improving salmon and steelhead habitat on a Portland-area river)
Oops…
Signed
Bill Monroe
Born in Portland and current resident after Vietnam for 52 years.
He did not respond.
If you’ve read this far, feel free to either vent yourself or…well, go fish!
It is hard to have hope in a world filled with “alternative facts.” Mr. Rigby’s summarized his alternative facts as: “It’s good to know the government has gotten their propaganda machine down to the point where they even have the outdoor writers attempting to indoctrinate common sense Americans.” Common sense has become decreasingly common, and critical thinking skills abondoned (too much effort required) in this, the “misinformation age.”
No argument here Richard…
And thank you for reminding me I’m still not alone…