Maybe journalists should have dropped the “both sidesism” and just done competent journalism.
I dunno, people like “free”. But maybe if the bald-faced liars didn’t get equal treatment with the honest politicians we wouldn’t be in this mess, and people would still believe what they read in the paper.
It’s all Andy Rooney’s fault. Sixty Minutes was the first newscast to actually make a profit. When the other news producers realized that, they opted to go for the money (any which way but up) instead of reporting the news.
I don’t know about other areas but in my area if you don’t have a police/ems scanner you don’t know what is going on. The media truly has become selective in what gets reported to the public. Further more what the media does report on they remind me of a pack of coyotes feeding on their prey.
…Stephan, you’re obviously a paid-up member on MS-13 AND the international globalist conspiracy! AND you hate freedom! And you’re really a woman! Lock her up! Woo, woo…
Thanks Stephan, for reminding us how important our great and necessary freedom of the press is along with the men and women that make it possible, play in our great Democracy.
Many people do not get the difference, and don’t realize professional journalists actually have journalistic standards, as opposed to just printing whatever will stoke people.
So right now, there are a frightening number of folks who actually believe that a few thousand people, which includes women and children, walking 1000 miles in search of a place to settle is an “invading army” that’s going to try to force its way into the United States. Even though you have to be incredibly stupid to believe that.
this goes way way back. Look up Yellow Journalism. Newspapers and media selling us sensation is nothing new. And politicians taking advantage of that is nothing new either.
It is up to us to look for the truth in reporting. It is out there. But most of us rely on opinion “news” designed not to report, but to get people riled up and believing in conspiracy theories. Good journalism does exist. But we too often prefer the easy way, and sources that support our biases. Time to take responsibility for our democracy, while we still have one.
Use more than one source, so you can decide if there is bias. And remember that just because you may not agree does not mean it is bias or lies. There is no such thing as alternative facts.
How about the symbiotic relationship between Trump and the media? He says outrageous things and they report it as fact. He goes “Oh Goody, more stories about ME! I’ll say some more things.” They keep reporting because it drives up their ratings. Rinse, Repeat.
Clowns to the Left of me, Jokers to the right. To pretend that either side is less biased than the other is to be ignorant. To pretend that billionaires don’t control both parties is to be blind. To cling to your side of the aisle at all costs is to be sheep.
Journalists aren’t “trained in gathering news” so much as trained in presenting stories for as much consumption as possible. That means angles, hooks, and lying (at times). There is some truth in there, but it’s getting more and more difficult to find and to discern from the b.s., no matter the political leanings of the writer or presenter editor or producer.
The top number I have seen reported for the number of people in this caravan is 7000. More often it is around 3-4 thousand. And, quite a few of them seem to be in family groups. Now, I know we have way more than 7000 churches in this country. How about each church adopting a person, or a family and taking care of them until they can get adjusted to this country or make arrangements to return to their own or whatever country they choose. Then when that’s accomplished, find another person who needs help, and so on until you run out of people who need help, which should be pretty much forever. If the church has 500 members, if shouldn’t cost much per family. That’s a real example of WWJD. I know lots of churches that talk the talk, but none that walk the walk.
Stick to humor, Pastis – it’s your job, and why we enjoy a diversion. The world gets enough political chatter elsewhere, and yours is hardly thought-provoking. Your strip used to be a lot funnier.
Take heart, Stephan. Millions of us, in the U.S. and around the globe, live in a real place far removed from this fabricated world. What’s more, we never stopped paying for our news, even when it was available for free.
Over one hundred years ago, Mark Twain said, “if you don’t read the newspapers, you are uninformed. If you do read the newspapers, you are misinformed.” Not much has changed. We just get misinformed faster now.
As Mark Twain said, “a lie can travel half way around the world while truth is still putting its pants on.” Nowadays, the internet let’s that lie make it around the world several times while truth is getting its pants on.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Mr. Stephan Pastis. It’s about time somebody IN the establishment spoke out against the rotten people who call themselves “journalists” today. Journalism died some time back in the Clinton administration.
Of course no mention of the fact that virtually all of those “trained reporters” were indoctrinated into a specific faith, with a specific agenda – to promote collectivism in all its myriad of forms.
The disingenuous is very apparent, even when it is done by a cartoonist.
You can still pay for journalism. That might be part of the problem.
Real news: that’ll be $10/month first, thank you very much, and none of this “private window to get around the free article limit” nonsense.Free news: SQUIRREL PANIC IN THE STREETS!
Back awhile ago Lewis Grizzard pointed out it was only a quarter..a paper a day..but I recall it being a dime..which is sorta kinda close to its worth today.
The squirrel stew was cooked when “advocacy journalism” replaced real journalism. Now, every “news” page is an editorial page. What, I wonder, did you expect? Not everyone has Pig’s capsule option, but I suspect many wish they had….
I am not tuning in to know how I should think or feel, but what actually happened so, the “reporters” should report facts and leave their opinions out, because like entertainers (sports, music, or acting) they are not being paid for what they think.
Journalism no longer emphasizes ethics, just immediacy. Add to that the confirmed bias as clearly demonstrated by the Big Three networks, CNN, and the vast majority of print outlets to the Left (and feel free to verify my claim yourself – here’s one example – https://nypost.com/2017/10/21/the-other-half-of-america-that-the-liberal-media-doesnt-cover/) and why would a conservative not doubt that the press, which once prided itself on being demonstrably above politic, leaving it clearly on the editorial page, is no longer to be trusted?
BE THIS GUY about 6 years ago
Well, 229 years of Constitutional government was a pretty good run.
Kveldulf about 6 years ago
RAT — Realistic Animal Truthsayer
santa72404 about 6 years ago
Never trusted that squirrel!
Dirty Dragon about 6 years ago
Maybe journalists should have dropped the “both sidesism” and just done competent journalism.
I dunno, people like “free”. But maybe if the bald-faced liars didn’t get equal treatment with the honest politicians we wouldn’t be in this mess, and people would still believe what they read in the paper.
“Democracy Dies at the Editor’s Desk.”
sirbadger about 6 years ago
There are too many different news sites that want my money. I don’t live in New York or Boston and I’m not paying for their newspapers.
GeifuKe about 6 years ago
.sitsaP setah lerriuqs sihT
GeifuKe about 6 years ago
Pastis, you truly are nuts about squirrels.
GeifuKe about 6 years ago
Rat and nuts = tar dna stun
Renatus Profuturus Frigeridus Premium Member about 6 years ago
There are two grey squirrels in my company garden which everybody feed . I guess we are digging our graves by ourselves .
x_Tech about 6 years ago
I, for one, have no doubt that the squirrels are running rampant.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member about 6 years ago
I, for one, am glad that Pig had sense enough to heed the warnings and save himself.
about 6 years ago
Good thing I keep a spare capsule in my closet.
Doctor_J about 6 years ago
What a lot of codswallop…
socalvillaguy Premium Member about 6 years ago
I always trust Moose and Squirrel.
Bilan about 6 years ago
It’s all Andy Rooney’s fault. Sixty Minutes was the first newscast to actually make a profit. When the other news producers realized that, they opted to go for the money (any which way but up) instead of reporting the news.
Breadboard about 6 years ago
I don’t know about other areas but in my area if you don’t have a police/ems scanner you don’t know what is going on. The media truly has become selective in what gets reported to the public. Further more what the media does report on they remind me of a pack of coyotes feeding on their prey.
wllilly1960 about 6 years ago
…Stephan, you’re obviously a paid-up member on MS-13 AND the international globalist conspiracy! AND you hate freedom! And you’re really a woman! Lock her up! Woo, woo…
Brass Orchid Premium Member about 6 years ago
What did you do, Morty?
Lenavid about 6 years ago
News isn’t factual if it doesn’t agree with one’s opinion because news is now presented with opinion.
Joe Friday wouldn’t be able to do his job these days, since everyone’s ends now justify their means.
Let’s see how far Progressivism “progresses” us with its foundation of Moral Relativism.
Masterskrain about 6 years ago
It’s scary when Rat is 100% ACCURATE!!!
jimchronister2016 about 6 years ago
Thanks Stephan, for reminding us how important our great and necessary freedom of the press is along with the men and women that make it possible, play in our great Democracy.
Ignatz Premium Member about 6 years ago
Many people do not get the difference, and don’t realize professional journalists actually have journalistic standards, as opposed to just printing whatever will stoke people.
So right now, there are a frightening number of folks who actually believe that a few thousand people, which includes women and children, walking 1000 miles in search of a place to settle is an “invading army” that’s going to try to force its way into the United States. Even though you have to be incredibly stupid to believe that.
dzeeba41 about 6 years ago
Are the crocks extinct? Breeng back larry.MORE CROCKS dag dabbit.
rhbrandon2 about 6 years ago
What we really need is a squirrelly-proof country.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member about 6 years ago
Rat is correct, we are cooked.
MS72 about 6 years ago
Vote for Pastis?
car2ner about 6 years ago
this goes way way back. Look up Yellow Journalism. Newspapers and media selling us sensation is nothing new. And politicians taking advantage of that is nothing new either.
well-i-never about 6 years ago
So that’s how you tell if it’s Russians in the comments – everything ends with “ski.”
jlsnell327 about 6 years ago
It is up to us to look for the truth in reporting. It is out there. But most of us rely on opinion “news” designed not to report, but to get people riled up and believing in conspiracy theories. Good journalism does exist. But we too often prefer the easy way, and sources that support our biases. Time to take responsibility for our democracy, while we still have one.
Use more than one source, so you can decide if there is bias. And remember that just because you may not agree does not mean it is bias or lies. There is no such thing as alternative facts.
Bruce1253 about 6 years ago
How about the symbiotic relationship between Trump and the media? He says outrageous things and they report it as fact. He goes “Oh Goody, more stories about ME! I’ll say some more things.” They keep reporting because it drives up their ratings. Rinse, Repeat.
childrenspoems Premium Member about 6 years ago
Thank you, Stephan. I needed that!
Darque Hellmutt about 6 years ago
Not sure – is that guy on the podium supposed to be Trump? or Bill Clinton? The joke works either way.
Flossie Mud Duck about 6 years ago
Amen, Stephan, amen.
John Smith about 6 years ago
So much for a comic oasis in our stress filled lives. Thanks for nothing SP
Sportymonk about 6 years ago
Walter Cronkite, where are you? Looking for Brinkley and Huntley.
YippiKiAyMofo about 6 years ago
Clowns to the Left of me, Jokers to the right. To pretend that either side is less biased than the other is to be ignorant. To pretend that billionaires don’t control both parties is to be blind. To cling to your side of the aisle at all costs is to be sheep.
Stop being sheep.
Huckleberry Hiroshima about 6 years ago
Journalists aren’t “trained in gathering news” so much as trained in presenting stories for as much consumption as possible. That means angles, hooks, and lying (at times). There is some truth in there, but it’s getting more and more difficult to find and to discern from the b.s., no matter the political leanings of the writer or presenter editor or producer.
tripwire45 about 6 years ago
I was waiting for Boris or Natasha to show up because after the Russians were introduced, I kept hearing them say “Moose and Squirrel.”
jonesbeltone about 6 years ago
I am sad now.
rs0204 Premium Member about 6 years ago
Stephen made the guy in the Third panel look way too smart.
Diane Lee Premium Member about 6 years ago
The top number I have seen reported for the number of people in this caravan is 7000. More often it is around 3-4 thousand. And, quite a few of them seem to be in family groups. Now, I know we have way more than 7000 churches in this country. How about each church adopting a person, or a family and taking care of them until they can get adjusted to this country or make arrangements to return to their own or whatever country they choose. Then when that’s accomplished, find another person who needs help, and so on until you run out of people who need help, which should be pretty much forever. If the church has 500 members, if shouldn’t cost much per family. That’s a real example of WWJD. I know lots of churches that talk the talk, but none that walk the walk.
nmdigger46 about 6 years ago
Stick to humor, Pastis – it’s your job, and why we enjoy a diversion. The world gets enough political chatter elsewhere, and yours is hardly thought-provoking. Your strip used to be a lot funnier.
bikamper about 6 years ago
Bring back the Fairness Doctrine.
Andrew Sleeth about 6 years ago
Take heart, Stephan. Millions of us, in the U.S. and around the globe, live in a real place far removed from this fabricated world. What’s more, we never stopped paying for our news, even when it was available for free.
Radish the wordsmith about 6 years ago
Its time for Rocky, and his terrorist Friends!
Rat is just jealous, he sees squirrels getting fed at the park and knows that could be him if he only had a fluffy tail.
gojuguy about 6 years ago
Over one hundred years ago, Mark Twain said, “if you don’t read the newspapers, you are uninformed. If you do read the newspapers, you are misinformed.” Not much has changed. We just get misinformed faster now.
DCBakerEsq about 6 years ago
Squirrel soup is delicious. Democracy, not so much.
asmbeers about 6 years ago
Sparta was the first Democracy. Germany is a Democracy. The USA is a Republic. There is a difference.
Doonanny about 6 years ago
As Mark Twain said, “a lie can travel half way around the world while truth is still putting its pants on.” Nowadays, the internet let’s that lie make it around the world several times while truth is getting its pants on.
whiteaj about 6 years ago
Thank you, thank you, thank you Mr. Stephan Pastis. It’s about time somebody IN the establishment spoke out against the rotten people who call themselves “journalists” today. Journalism died some time back in the Clinton administration.
Spiny Norman Premium Member about 6 years ago
Pay for journalism? Most of the people here won’t even pay for these comics.
hariseldon59 about 6 years ago
Looks like Rocky is working for Boris and Natasha now.
XanderBitMe about 6 years ago
There is a colony of albino squirrels at my apartment complex. If you don’t see me, you’ll know what happened.
GeorgeWhite about 6 years ago
Of course no mention of the fact that virtually all of those “trained reporters” were indoctrinated into a specific faith, with a specific agenda – to promote collectivism in all its myriad of forms.
The disingenuous is very apparent, even when it is done by a cartoonist.
del_grande Premium Member about 6 years ago
You can still pay for journalism. That might be part of the problem.
Real news: that’ll be $10/month first, thank you very much, and none of this “private window to get around the free article limit” nonsense.Free news: SQUIRREL PANIC IN THE STREETS!
David about 6 years ago
He forgot the part about eliminating liberal bias from 90% of the news.
ZeebaNeighba1985 about 6 years ago
I, for one, welcome our new rodent overlords.
Hoodude about 6 years ago
Back awhile ago Lewis Grizzard pointed out it was only a quarter..a paper a day..but I recall it being a dime..which is sorta kinda close to its worth today.
Hoodude about 6 years ago
And an editor is just a mash up carpenter..getting the stuff out is up to the publisher,whose name is always higher on the mast.
Godfreydaniel about 6 years ago
The only real surprise is that they weren’t zombie squirrels infected with smallpox and traveling in a caravan……..
dr_suess about 6 years ago
Patis, between the awful puns and fart jokes, sometimes you slip in some pretty excellent stuff. :-)
Squoop about 6 years ago
OMG look - squirrels!!! Heading towards the border! Get out the troops!
AtariDragon about 6 years ago
So, according to this cartoonist, only “journalists” should be allowed free speech. And cartoonists, of course.
If I wanted Doonesbury, I’d be subscribed to Doonesbury. Just in case Pastis reads comments: this is why I unsubscribed.
braindead Premium Member about 6 years ago
For Trump Disciples, squirrels = immigrants.
Just thought you’d like to know.
Sisyphos about 6 years ago
The squirrel stew was cooked when “advocacy journalism” replaced real journalism. Now, every “news” page is an editorial page. What, I wonder, did you expect? Not everyone has Pig’s capsule option, but I suspect many wish they had….
1simplecat about 6 years ago
I am not tuning in to know how I should think or feel, but what actually happened so, the “reporters” should report facts and leave their opinions out, because like entertainers (sports, music, or acting) they are not being paid for what they think.
Nick Danger about 6 years ago
Journalism no longer emphasizes ethics, just immediacy. Add to that the confirmed bias as clearly demonstrated by the Big Three networks, CNN, and the vast majority of print outlets to the Left (and feel free to verify my claim yourself – here’s one example – https://nypost.com/2017/10/21/the-other-half-of-america-that-the-liberal-media-doesnt-cover/) and why would a conservative not doubt that the press, which once prided itself on being demonstrably above politic, leaving it clearly on the editorial page, is no longer to be trusted?
wtexcowboy_75 over 5 years ago
Good old St Walter started the trend during the tet offensive
NoobzandNoobzYT about 4 years ago
pig has become an among us character