Hi Dave

Nice to have you back and happy new year. As I've read your blog offerings for a while there appears to be a dominating undercurrent topic which is disturbing. Specifically it's your routine and often petty smearing of the Coeur d'Alene Press (AKA "brand X"). Now I know you're going to take offense with this but it's true. You don't just criticize. You ridicule, belittle and nit-pick the competition on a daily basis.

I'm NOT saying that the CDA press is the ideal of newsprint and Hagadone certainly has his moments. But the CDA press is another view of our community, a different set of opinions and most importantly another venue of free speech.

The Chandler family in Los Angeles (L.A. Times) and the Cowles here in Spokane (S-R) share a business practice. They like to eliminate their competition. Then they become not only the most profitable paper in town they become the voice of the town. But not the voice of the people.

Personally I would prefer it if you would stick to the issues. Your dislike of the CDA Press is obvious and it taints the objectivity and purpose of the blog. Unless, of course, that is the purpose of the blog?

Dave Tolle

DFO: I appeciate this gentle criticism from a faithful reader like Dave. I've been criticizing the Press for 20 years, and Brand Xers have been criticizing me for almost as long. If I didn't, who would? In this City on the Take, most people are afraid to say "boo" when it comes to all things Hagadone. It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it. Any other thoughts about Dave's note?

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