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Today's word on journalism

May 15, 2009

The Last WORD


The Fat Lady Sings, Off-Key, Drools

At about this time every year, like the swallows to Capistrano or the buzzards to Hinckley, Ohio, the WORD migrates to its summer musing grounds at the sanitarium —St. Mumbles Home for the Terminally Verbose.

The reason is clear, and never moreso than as this season —the WORD's 13th —peters out.

It's been a fraught year of high palaver and eye-popping transition, both good and not-so-much. An interminable presidential campaign saga finally did end, and in extraordinary and historic fashion. Meanwhile, the bottom and everything that's below the bottom fell out of the economy, with families, homes, entire industries and —of particular interest to WORDsters and the civic-minded —dozens of daily newspapers ("I don't so much mind that newspapers are dying--it's watching them commit suicide that pisses me off." --Molly Ivins). . . all evaporating. What replaces them, from the individual to the institutional to the societal? Are we looking at a future of in-depth Tweeting?

As any newsperson or firehorse knows, it's hard to turn your back on day-to-day catastrophe --we just have to look at the car wreck. But even the most deranged and driven need a rest. As philosopher Lilly Tomlin once observed, "No matter how cynical you become, it's never enough to keep up."

So this morning, as a near-frost hovered over northern Utah, the unmarked van pulled into the driveway and the gentle, soft-spoken men in the white coats rolled the WORD out of bed and into a straitjacket for the usual summer trip to St. Mumbles, where the blathering one will be assigned a hammock and fed soothing, healthy foods --like tapioca, dog biscuits and salmon --while recharging the essential muscles of cynicism, outrage, sarcasm, social engagement and high-mindedness, in preparation for the next edition.
Summer well, friends.

Speak up! Comment on the WORD at

http://tedsword.
blogspot.com/

Feedback and suggestions --printable and otherwise --always welcome. "There are no false opinions."


About Today's Word

 
 

News:
Guns fly off shelves as buyers fret new administration
False report of Amber Alert frustrates Idaho residents
Lewiston will get a new grandstand, thanks to Sen. Bennett
Ongoing peace vigil 'favorite hour of the week'
USU 'alumni legacy' non-resident students to get big break on tuition

Business:
Opinion: Tour of Logan business gems reveals idealism, care
Directive feeds off passion for board sports
Superior Computers carves niche with custom service
Greenline Scooters offering Logan eco-friendly transportation
Ibis an oasis of hipness -- and fine coffee -- in LDS Logan
Retro, classic games draw fans from afar at Fun Unlimited
Timberline boasts personalized tobacco service

Arts & Life:
Eagles break new ground
Sunrise Cyclery aims to get Logan biking for health, environment
Hair today, gone tomorrow: Students make the cut for a good cause
New Century Scholarships: Getting a head start on education pays off
Can the Internet kill the radio star?

Opinion:
Law officers seem overzealous in traffic citations -- and I should know
College is supposed to be fun, right?
Spring is finally here -- and none too soon
Life as an 'alien' in Germany is a humbling experience

Sports & recreation
Returned alumna is now 'life blood' of volleyball team
Dents and dings worth the raw fun of rugby, players say
$65 athletics fee stirs passions at USU
Shift-free motorcycle easier to use, higher price
Unicycling growing as ticket to fun, transportation
Bodybuilder follows strict lifestyle to compete

more stories >>

Sound off! We welcome your comments. Letters and editorials appear in our "Opinion" section. Our address: kcowweb@hass.usu.edu

What's it like to become a True Aggie? Check out this cool, vintage video by former USU JCOM student Michael Chidsey.

Check out the USU department of journalism and communication's home page.

ONE FOR THE SKY: Karl Thompson jumps off a Moab rock
on his unicycle.
/ Photo by Alyse Marchant

 

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