Adieu, Dan Rather

[Prudence]

I don't watch national network news any more. I wonder if it's even relevant any more. The cable news channels don't have the same obligation to pretend they're unbiased -- and how can broadcast news compete with that? It's much more satisfying to hear the evils of the world filtered through the newscaster who Thinks Just Like You. And whether your preference is Fox News or the Daily Show you can nod sagely and relax in your "side's" obvious superiority.

Local news has the rubbernecker attraction. "Look, honey! That busload of nuns and orphans forced off the road by teen street racers crashed into the burning warehouse set ablaze the local serial aronists who's killed 4 firefighters this month and it's almost on our way to work! Let's leave early and detour so we can see the action!" And while it's mildly entertaining to stay tuned to see what YOU should KNOW about using shredders while wearing neckties, that doesn't really translate well to the national news.

For me it's sad because these retirements in the aggregate signal the end of an era where we at least pretended to get our facts from the news and our opinions from thoughtful contemplation of the facts -- rather than tuning in to get our opinions spoon fed to us.

Then again, the good old days seldom were.