Thin Line

\ Apr 28, 2005

3 min read

Bloggers united. If you're looking for a small taste of home-cooked news, opinion and sincere social blather, there's a new website, www.dukecityfix.com, that deserves some praise for its design, informed analysis and occasional sophistication. If you are a local news hound who just can't succumb to the Albuquerque Journal's sleep-inducing product, and pine for the days when the Albuquerque Tribune was one of the finest mid-market dailies in the nation, you might go to this blog for respite. I'm not saying it's comprehensive, but if you look at what a group of local volunteers are doing online to promote the city and foster dialogue among our citizens, you will see further reason for the decline of mainstream newspaper readership. Don't get me wrong; someday these folks could wind up competing with our own feisty alt.weekly, and as the day approaches, well, let the games begin! Competition, in theory, breeds better quality. Check them out and see for yourself.

Thin Line

A Matter of Perspective, Part 1. In last Sunday's Journal an article titled “Domenici Will Back Bolton Nomination” reports that Sen. Pete Domenici will support John Bolton's nomination to become our nation's ambassador to the United Nations.

The article, written by Washington correspondent Michael Coleman, states: “Anyone who has followed Domenici’s career knows that nuclear nonproliferation is one of his major policy priorities.”

Calling “nuclear nonproliferation” one of Domenici's “major policy priorities” leaves out one important detail, though. That is, New Mexico, like no other state in the union, reflects our nation's role in contributing to nuclear proliferation. In that regard, the world might accurately view our state as one giant nuclear arsenal compound. For Domenici's part, he's made a career out of encouraging nuclear proliferation as a local jobs program sponsored by the federal government. I guess it's all a matter of perspective.

Thin Line

A Matter of Perspective, Part 2. Check out the Journal's online survey that asks: “Should the mural on Central Ave. stay or go?” The poll is a byproduct of a story in the April 21 edition about Snob Hill's tattoo shop and the artwork above the entrance.

If folks want to see the mural on the Journal website before casting their vote, they first have to pass through a disclaimer that says, “Warning: bare breast and nipple piercing shown.” And then you click on the image and it's so tiny you have to squint to see it. So then you have to click on the “enlarge” button. Then the mural comes to life and the poor puritans at the Journal can only hope that they haven't offended anyone. Seriously, can't you just put the picture up on your website without getting all weird about it?