Would The Last Honest Reporter Please Turn On the Lights - Readers Response
Friday, October 31, 2008

Lack of Journalistic Integrity

I have never heard of the author nor of your publication.  I randomly caught an intriguing headline on Drudge and decided to click.  I feel compelled to write to commend Mr. Card.  In this seemingly never-ending election cycle, I have never seen a journalist speak with such a sincere sense of duty to tell the truth.  It is simply maddening to watch the mainstream media blatantly support a presidential campaign.  What most objective observers would consider to be a 'center right' country is about to take a very sharp left turn and I firmly believe the media is to blame.  The lack of journalistic integrity is reprehensible and I truly fear the direction in which our country appears to be heading.  Nobody seems to care about accountability anymore because it's much too easy to blame Bush.  Well, soon enough there will be no political adversary left to blame.  A single party is about to control the entire political universe.  The media thrives on negative stories.  It will be interesting to see how long this love affair will last. Thank you, Mr. Card, for writing this article.  I hope you open a few minds (preferably in swing states) before it's too late.

Rob Amos

Back to the Golden Rule

“I want to live in your world, not the one being socially engineered by the "progressives". The one where truth can hurt, but it is the truth. Where fairness is the dictionary version and not the evolved version. Where opportunity abounds and common sense are the rule of the day, where the Golden Rule is the basis for all actions of the public. “

Nick Spartana

Has Journalism Always Been This Biased?

I found this article on "The Drudge Report" and listening to the Rush Limbaugh Show. Orson Scott Card's open letter to all reporters on how the American housing crisis occurred is dead on. Why would anyone, especially reporters, want to promote lies? What has happened to journalism today? Has this business always been this biased? If dishonest reporters really want to help elect someone who is not truthful about self and what our country would truly benefit from, then these reporters will end up "paying the piper" by having no audience to read their articles nor listen to their opinions. I wonder how their candidate will reward them after the election?

Pamela Young

First Time Writer to a Paper

I commend you on your courage to print Orson Scott Card's article.  I found it on the Drudge Report.  This says what we all feel and know to be true.  What else can you do to have this go out to AP, etc.?  It only takes one man to light a candle and illuminate the entire room.  So much for my high school philosophy. I have sent this article to people across the country, so your paper is getting a lot of  publicity out of this.  In fact, your paper may be the only honest paper in the country, and you may be viewed as the only honest editor.  It appears you have personal honor, as defined in the article.  Here is the opportunity of a lifetime: you personally have, sitting in your lap right now, the opportunity to acquire a Pulitzer Prize.   Remember Woodward and Bernstein?  We all do.  Why?  They had the courage to write what no one else could or would.  And they toppled a corrupt president.

You, as editor, have the tools at your disposal to make honesty happen.  Printing Card's article is a good start.  What do you have to lose?  You have no competition: it's a wide open field.  Sidebar: I've never written to a paper before now.

Michael J Patritch

Forwarded to Every Paper?

Boy is this article a breath of fresh air.  Has it been forwarded to every daily paper?  If not I will forward to mine – Courier Journal in Louisville, Kentucky.

Bill Bell
Louisville, Kentucky

Placing the Blame Where it Belongs

What a great summary of the current disastrous situation. The “economy” has shifted the election, but in a direction that rewards the perpetrators! We are about to see an electorate incompetent to vote choose a man incompetent to lead. We can blame the schools. We can blame racism. We can blame Bush's communication skill (or lack thereof) and you would be in the ball park. Then you could blame the press for supporting the ignorance to foster their own agenda…and you would be spot on…It's evening in America…and it's your fault.

JP McTamaney
Richmond, Virginia

Always Counted on a Free Press

Dear Mr. Card: I heard your article on Rush Limbaugh's show today.

Thank you. You have expressed what I have been seeing for the past 15 years. I can't read a paper any more without wanting to throw it in the trash. It is a very sad day in our country. We have always counted on a free press. It is not the government that is telling them what to say but their own lack of ethics that prevents them from searching for the truth and reporting it. Thank you. Thank you.

Carla Belli
Beverly Hills, California

Thanks for Your Clarity and Integrity

I like to think of myself as at least as informed as the average American citizen during this critical election year, so I read such columns as time permits. Of all of them, this is in my judgement the clearest, most succinct and to the point piece I have read. I am a lifelong Republican, and admittedly slanted in that direction, of course. But I am not so blind as to consider any Republican candidate above criticism. But I have been beyond shocked at the one-sidedness of political coverage. I am especially grateful for your mentioning of President Bush. I fear that, though he deserves some criticism, he does not deserve the disdain of a country he has tried to protect and defend. We have allowed ourselves to be conditioned beyond all reason by the hatred of the popular press. I simply wanted to thank you for your clarity and integrity, especially as a Democrat yourself. Please keep your pen near you at all times. Such honesty is the true hope of journalism.

Jim Antwine

I Miss the Old School Journalists

Three cheers for Orson!  How refreshing it is to read an objective column regarding the current status of “news” and politics in America . These spectacles called “Presidential debates” are yet another example of the abject trash put before the public.  These are not debates, they are well rehearsed infomercials.  Nothing new can be learned by the viewer.  No new ideas will be put forth, just the same vague rhetorical pap we've been hearing for the past 6 months.  Debates, and the office of President, are supposed to be about ideas, not sound bites or “who looked Presidential”.  You would think “journalists” would have an appreciation for words and their meanings.  You would think they've have an appreciation for the intellect.  I guess I would be considered old school.

Only the prospect of the next President naming Supreme Court justices will get me to vote.  I will do so holding my nose and cringing.  An inept and agenda driven media is largely to blame for candidates we have before us.  In a country of 300 million, the greatest country on earth, John McCain and Barack Obama are the best we have to offer?  I long for the days when you couldn't tell which way a reporter leaned.  Today's “journalist” can't fathom such a concept.

Tony M.

No Blinders On

Thank You Orson Scott Card for telling the story about how we got into this mess, the proper way, with no blinders on, which would give you tunnel vision, and also prevent you from seeing the whole truth of this mess we are all in now.  I agree with your thoughts that the people that bring us the news should only tell the truth, when they have the truth, and not tell lies for greed of money, which will bring anyone down in the end.

David
Nebraska

What Can an Individual Do?

Regarding the Card column on the lack of truthfulness in the press, short of canceling my local newspaper, what can I do as in individual? I agree the press has gone off the rails in being dishonest and not reporting facts, politicians have not done their job, but it goes on. What can individuals do besides trying to get the information to make an informed decision before voting, and then getting out and vote? All the people currently in congress and all other elected offices make the best case yet for term limits. 

Don G.
Kailua, Hawaii

An Honest Reporter

Finally an honest reporter--He has no future in major media journalism. Not his fault, but I calls them like I sees them too. Kind of like being the only honest man in the mafia.

CJ Condon

No Journalists Anymore

Wow!  A journalist finally speaking out and speaking out in truth at that!  He ought to start his own "Truth" newspaper, except he probably couldn't find any truth-telling journalists like himself left to work for him.  He's right.  There are no journalists anymore - only propagandist and brainwasher arms of the Democrat party. 

Katie Smith
Menomonie, Wisconsin

Should be in Every Paper

Should be printed in every newspaper in the nation--Honor in journalism is fading fast in this country...along with our trust.

Dave Moore

Journalists Have an Agenda

I just finished reading your article, I live in Miami Florida . I wish I could reach out across the Internet and shake your hand. It is truly refreshing to find a Journalist with integrity and who is brave enough to “Call-Out” those who have sold their souls. Yes I am a Republican, but more than that I believe in truth telling and facts. Your are right: if the shoe was on the other foot as you say it would be “Housing-gate / Fannie-Gate”.  If the shoe was on the other foot, I would want the truth because it is the right thing to report. I am saddened for the turn in how the news is now made to favor one side or the other and not reporting facts. I have been a Banker since 1980 and I know well how the events leading up to this meltdown started…It is sad that Journalists now have an agenda to sway  the public's view rather then just report the facts. Unfortunately not everyone has the will or time or know-how to look up the facts themselves and they fall back on the news media whether TV or print for information and what they are getting is agenda driven…Again, Thank You for saying what I have been saying, I can only hope that those in the news reporting business take your words to heart, but I doubt they will.

Carlos Vasquez
Miami, Florida

A Hearty Thank You!

This is a stunning indictment of the main stream media as well as the Liberals in our government.  I never thought I would live to see the day when a Democrat Journalist would be fair, unbiased and honest.  I have become very cynical about the media because I have seen it fail the people of this country, consistently, for the past 16-18 years or so.  I would love to see something like this in my own hometown (very liberal) newspaper but I know they would never print it in a million years.  They won't even print a conservative's view in Letters to the Editor! 

To Mr. Orson Scott Card, I extend my thanks, and good wishes to this honest man who has brought some hope to this yearning soul.  A hearty THANK YOU!

Sunny Riley
Eugene, Oregon

I Vote for the Man

I'm not a Republican, nor a Democrat, I vote for the man, not the party.  I don't know if the “bailout” was the right thing to do.  But I do know that some drastic changes need to be made in Washington .  The campaign has been so full of lies by both sides that the average American doesn't know who to believe or who will do the best job for us.  But there is a clear picture about a few issues.  The middleclass has borne the biggest burden the last few years.  Big corporations have brought on such high prices, whether it be oil, drugs, education, or healthcare, that middleclass Americans cannot make ends meet, including their mortgage.

So as far as I'm concerned, one establishment has not caused this crisis – it was a lot of people doing a lot of wrong things – we are paying for the culture of making money any way you can at anyone's expense and then blaming someone else. 

Legislators do more work for themselves than they do the average American.  We desperately need terms in legislation.  To leave a congressman in office for 20 or 30 years is downright stupid.  Our government was based on serving the people, not the legislators.  Today's legislator is more worried about his career than doing the best for the country and the taxpayer. 

So when you talk about dishonor in journalism – I say thank God for today's journalists.  If it wasn't for the news media, this country would be doomed by greed and power.   I think we still have a chance to pull this whole thing around.  Barack Obama has given me hope!

From an Independent who is tired of the lies, the greed, and the blame game.

Linda Wilson

Perpetrators Will Be Reelected

As a former S&L executive, I watched this problem develop over time.

The sad irony is that the politicians who created this nightmare are the very ones who now propose to solve the problem. Unfortunately, not one of them will be filmed doing a "Perp Walk" as they are led from their offices in handcuffs with their raincoats over their heads. In fact, they will undoubtedly be reelected. Great article!

Tom Fuquay
Little Rock, Arkansas

Card Can't Fool All the People

Mr. Card is wrong on his facts. It tires me out. I suggest he look to Phil Gramm instead of Dodd and Frank. I suggest he look to Reagan rather than Clinton. Keep trying. You can't fool all the people all the time.

Charlie Yonkers

Cheering Out Loud

This article by Orson Scott Card should be printed on the front page of every newpaper and read on every radio station in the United States of America .  Before it stops being the United States of America and becomes ...  I can't even imagine what.  If I had not been at work, I would have been cheering out loud for this well written, well researched amazing article.  Please tell Mr. Card thank you for me personally!

Susan Hein
Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

Boycott

Thank you for such a well-written commentary about the dishonest "reporting" that we all have witnessed in this country and during this election campaign. I think Republicans would be wise to boycott once and for all ABC, CBS, and NBC, just tune them out for good and see how many they draw for their news "reporting" after the boycott is in place. This should include local newspapers and national magazines as well. Since most all of them have chosen to slant every news story to favor the Democratic Party, so be it. But they won't get a minute of my reading time nor a penny out of my pocket for what they are putting out. They have lost their trust and I daresay they will not regain it in my lifetime.

Austin Hubby

The Truth is Always Distorted, or Is It?

Incredible! Mr. Card's piece on honest reporters is dead on. Thank God someone in the media will stand up and tell the truth. I have told my 18 year old daughter that I prefer her not to pursue journalism as a profession because the truth is always distorted. Along comes a man like Mr. Card to prove me wrong. I applaud you sir, keep up the good work! It's Americans like you that this Country needs right now. Bravo!

Jeff Pate
Atlanta, Georgia

Forwarded to My Friends

Luckily or providentially, this article is up on the Drudge Report, which I check daily. I think this article is so understandable without all the confusing financial mumbo jumbo. So far I have forwarded it to 10 people, and I expect to send it to a whole lot more. This is a service to our country, a very patriotic act. Thank you so very much.

Susan Starr

Censorship by Omission

Even though a small number of Americans will ever see this because it is doubtful to ever be distributed widely and of those who do see it many will choose to ignore the facts before them: It is nice to have someone stand up and call it like it is.  200 years ago our founding fathers fought against censorship and for the freedom of the press.  I truly believe that the type of media that is being practiced now is a new form of censorship and oppression.  "Censorship by omission, oppression by not agreeing with you so I have the right to go after you, your family and your business under the guise of freedom of the press". 

Keith Duncan

Why Did This Message Come Out So Late?

Finally, a columnist who gets it right and tells the truth!  What would the campaign be like if everyone knew what he has revealed?  Obama profited from the mortgage crisis.  He is neck high in this debacle.  It has been very carefully covered up by his cohorts in the press who want him elected at any cost.  The cost is much too big and this message must get out to every newspaper and everyone in the United States . What would Bush's administration have been like if he had not been vilified every day in every way in the press since his election? This was a great article.  Why is it being written so late in the game?

Kate Craig
Columbus, Indiana

Republicans Outspent the Liberals

In all fairness for full disclosure I am a Republican.  It seems to me that compassionate conservatism is a misnomer.  Conservatism does not need to be defined any further than its meaning.  Unfortunately, our party departed from the traditional small government spending and outspent the liberals, which is partially responsible for the current meltdown.  Your are dead on in your reporting of the details leading up to and the cause of the financial meltdown.

Harold Hutto

Mr. Card is Off

Mr. Card's comments are rather overwrought. First, the current financial debacle was not caused exclusively by the sub-prime mortgage fiasco, although I concede it was certainly a major contributor to our woes. Other contributors include the lax regulatory climate encouraged by the Bush Administration, greed and mismanagement at the highest reaches of some important financial and banking institutions (e.g.Beare Sterns, Lehman Bros., AIG), the proliferation of new financial instruments derived from the risky credit practices and the failure of the Federal Reserve to adequately discipline the economy.

Also, during the last six years of the Clinton presidency and the first six years of the current Administration, the Congress was controlled (both Houses) by the Republican Party. Theoretically, the Republican Congress and the Republican Administration had lots of time and lots of majorities, before Barney Frank and Chris Dodd, came into the majority to fix the problem. Why didn't they? The truth is that both political parties were negligent.

Joseph P. Menta

Card, You're in Trouble

A thorough, well- reasoned and accurate column—I commend you for writing it. As a Democrat and a reporter, however, you are either very brave or very naïve for putting your name to the piece.  If the targets of your column, the print media, choose to respond, you must know that the response will ignore the merits of your article and seek to attack you, the messenger.  They'll find that you voted for a Republican some time in your past, that you have an unpaid parking ticket, or that you don't like puppies, so obviously you have no credibility.  You certainly can't expect that they'll answer your call to do the honest thing.  They have too must invested in electing Obama.

Scott M. Harrington

MSMM

Excellent article and I commend Mr. Card for his bravery in bringing to light the abyss the MSMM (main stream media morons) are willing to dive into, rather than report the truth to the nation. The media in the United States , with a small exception, have chosen a communistic style of journalism so they need not worry about why their readership is so low.

S. Grant
Plano, Texas

A Free Pass is Not Part of the Deal

I've been waiting for years to hear someone state what many of us have been watching in disbelief.  If the media wishes to remain relevant and desires to be respected as "the fourth pillar of Democracy" then reporters need to step out of their cheer leading role and stop all the lazy reporting.  Parroting one party's talking points is not news, unconfirmed tips from anonymous sources are not news, and reporting public opinion polls daily like baseball scores is not news.

Barack Obama's candidacy has been a total fabrication of the media.  The man deserves a chance to run for president just like anyone else and to state his positions to the American people, and that includes coming under the scrutiny of a free press. A free pass should not be part of the deal. Thank you for stating what has been obvious to so many of the rest of us.

Richard Davis
Stafford, VA

Still Puzzled

I've followed political news for over 50 years, and for all that time I complained about the out-right bias and support of liberal policies of the Mainstream Media (MSM) in news articles. What I wanted was the news, not some individuals' slant of the same. Why in the world would I care what a reporter thinks? His/her job is to present the facts. I solved that problem of mine by tuning out the old media and following the new media. Suggest everyone do the same. The political garbage thrown out by the MSM is simply that. The one thing that still puzzles me is why they are hell bent on destroying their businesses.

Barry Mohler

Glimmer of Hope

Unfortunately this truthful article will be ignored by the main stream press as they've done since the economic crisis began. I will say this about the article, it has given me a glimmer of hope that there may still be some honorable people in the press, not many of them, but a few.

Rocky Boisvert

Steady Diet of Guilt for Our Success

I read your article with much sadness and anger.  I also agree with your insight and shake my head in disbelief that this deterioration in our press has been so compromised and blatant! I feel, in part, it is the result of Americans being fed a steady diet of guilt for our success, in whatever form.  The Republican Party must become more outspoken and not be so naïve that the other side is honorable and appeals to decency….it is clear that there is none. We need representatives that are agile debaters and fearless to speak out or we as a nation are on a road that we cannot turn back.

Linda Fostinis

Card: Dangerous Radical Democrat

To the powers that be: Are you sure you want this type of journalism to be read in public? Mr. Card seems to be a dangerous radical Democrat bent on the downfall of "the messiah" (lower case on purpose). Seriously now: It is about time someone besides Fox News and Limbaugh told the truth. Give this man a seat on the board of editors. In this day of journalistic integrity (or lack of) Mr. Card is truly a breath of fresh air.

Dan Billiat
Glen Burnie Maryland

Card Still Employed?

I'm curious to know if Mr. Card still has a job?  If the editors and the newspaper owners are so pro-Obama, it seems to me that this article will get buried also and Mr. Card will become personna non grata at most newspapers - hence unemployed. I do think he is correct in his assessment.

Toni Battiste