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Letters to the Editor

Readers sound off on Times Select, Tim Russert, and Walmart-driven media consumption

In this edition of Letters, readers continue respond to the New York Times' subscription-only Times Select service, offer their thoughts on Tim Russert's interview with Aaron Broussard and the Walmart media economy.

RE: Times Select

RE: Tim Russert and the Dead Woman: Real Men Always Cry by Jesse Kornbluth

I'd like to thank Jesse Kornbluth for writing this piece. Shame on Tim Russert and all other journalists who lack suitable empathy and stoop to such tactics. Come on you guys, let's bring the real swindlers to task. As John Stossel would say, 'give me a break.' We need more journalists like Jesse Kornbluth.

Carol Weis

If I was Jesse Kornbluth's editor, or priest or rabbi, I would have him declared a National Treasure! What a wonderful article- -that brought back the intense emotion of the first interview and a renewed anger I felt in the second. I too felt Russert was playing"gotcha" on behalf of this administration and I am getting weary of it!

So few journalists left who can still speak truth to power without fearing the consequences. Thanks Jesse. You expressed so beautifully on paper what I was sensing in head and my heart.

Harriet F. Abrahms

Didn't see the Russert interviews but Kornbluth hits in smack on the button. And he's right about journalism, too. If you have no passion you're a mere hack. Russert is the Careerist of the Century, a phony if there ever was one. Roldo Bartimole

And real women cry while reading stories like this! Bravo Jesse! Really enjoyed this for a couple reasons. One, b/c as a disillusioned patriot I need to hear more stories about real people getting their messages out despite the squashing efforts of the far right. And two, your narrative about what happens when you cover important stories is powerfully written and thought-provoking. Thanks for making my day on a couple levels.

Jennifer Lynham

So the objective is to cry?

Even if it's a made up story?

Then just show Bambi.

Yep, the story's so good - doesn't matter if it's true.

Kay Shostak

Dear Mr. Kornbluth: Thank you for writing that piece. Aaron Broussard was ridiculed for crying in The New Yorker, as well, and I was furious. No, he didn't do everything right, but that's not the point. The point is that people died senseless, tragic, heartbreaking deaths that could have and should have been prevented and Mr. Broussard cared. Tim Russert is a bully - thank you for shaming him. Jan Barker

RE: Unwitting Media Mega-Players and the Red State Consumers Who Support Them by Elizabeth Spiers

Caveat—hillbilly—yes, Willie Nelson always sold more records that Bobby Short, by try telling that to the jamokes at the New Yorker. For us'n hillbillies out there in the Ozarks we don't much cotton the media, and if Judy Miller would have fried in jail, well, what's another conservative columnist down the drain....and thats the way it is.

Fact is that there are more of 'me'...then there are Frank Richs...yours was a 'right-on' column - don't see many but yours was just the tip of the iceberg.

I live in Southwest MO—imagine—5 of the 10 richest people live in may area (ALL WALTONS—do you know what that does for this area? You have no idea - if you really want to see the revolution ongoing—go to Bentonville/Walmart HQ—millionaires all over the place—a virtual boomtown.

Jimmy Breslin would cry, Maureen Dowd would not believe her whiny little eyes.

The economy outside the media beltway is booming - but you guys miss that.

Yours could spawn a hundred other columns, and likely a book - you've got a tiger by the tail...do you know that?

Bob Howard