Obituary for an Old Friend

Obituary for an Old Friend

A Guest Commentary By

J. J. Ray

Sadly, today the news reached me that the Tuesday Bible otherwise known as The Courier Journal has been purchased by Decadent Decatur Daily. The Decatur folks have already purchased the Tri-Cycle-Daily, which may be a boon to the Shoals given their less than aggressive reporting. For those that have never dealt with those Decatur folks this will be an eye-opener. Citizen Kane and Randolph Hearst may have risen from the afterlife because their philosophies are so similar, “We are right, and we will print want we want you to read, instead of the actual facts” a lot like the New York Times which, incidentally used to own the Tri-Cycle-Daily.

This will not hurt the Tri-Cycle-Daily any as their reporting is always delayed and one-sided. They actually epitomize the term “Lame Media”. Surely, they gave guarantees to all at the Courier that nothing would change of course, being the “Lame Media”, that is subject to revision.

The Courier Journal has been my family friend for reading for more years than I care to admit. My wife looks forward to Tuesday when the “Free Courier” arrives. The pages are full of ads and interesting bits and happenings that are not newsworthy enough for Tri -Cycle-Daily. To top that off the editor/ publisher Thomas V. Magazzu even works there and writes a column every week. You can call him and he will even talk to you. My goodness transparency, what a novel idea. Prez Obama could learn a lesson here. Now I am sure there will be a funeral for that great publication after the appropriate grieving time. Everything in this world is subject to change but the Courier is our hometown friend you could count on it every Tuesday.

Why did the heirs of Mr. Love choose to sell it off to the Decatur Daily? Money I am sure was the prime motivator. Today, I’m so grateful for the online e-mags like Shoalanda Speaks, the Shoals Insider and soon The Connection. They are true local information sources like the Courier that actually print the facts. Citizens can voice their opinions and be read. No date has been set for the visitation yet and I do not know who will officiate at the funeral, but surely, it will be Parker Griffith. That would poetic justice.

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The Connection is now online. Here's a link to its temporary URL: Link

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Franklin County Superintendent Don Cox has stated he's worried over a shortfall of 600K for the current school year. Hmmm, seems it was just last year that Cox refused a telecommunications audit designed to save the system 30K per year.

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We hear employees of Helen Keller Hospital are being asked to sign a statement indicating they support the pact with Huntsville Hospital. Think any of them will refuse?

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Indian Mound early 20th Century: Link





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