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Fake headlines strike readers' funny bones

The Bakersfield Californian | Monday, Jan 02 2012 04:00 PM

Last Updated Monday, Jan 02 2012 04:00 PM

Reader: My husband and I are still laughing over your "Headlines we'd like to see in 2012" (Dec. 30.) It was quite possibly the best thing I've ever read in the newspaper. Thank you very much! It is great.

-- Joyce

Reader: I'm calling regarding the Opinion Page "Headlines we'd like to see in 2012." Thank you for the laugh. It was awesome. I almost choked on my coffee as I was reading the headlines. I particularly liked the "BPD's texting-while-driving checkpoints nets 18,000 arrests." Incredibly funny!

Thanks for the laugh.

-- Linda Souza

Arthur: Robert Price and Jarrod Graham of the Editorial and Opinion pages thank you for your kind comments. I agree -- it was laugh out loud material.

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Reader: The Californian should not wonder why readers turn to other sources for news when the media slants the news to the left and insures not to harm President Obama.

Your December 9th edition had plenty to say about Romney's attack against Gingrich and the NHSA's determination that texting while driving is unsafe (now there is real news), but, not one word about Attorney General Holder's "Fast & Furious" Congressional testimony that the operation was "totally unacceptable," that the thousands of "walk-away" weapons will impact both sides of the border for many years to come, and that Holder expects more deaths from these weapons on both sides of the border.

Apparently, Holder's testimony was not worthy news to print.

Did the Californian print any mention that Obama's Justice Department just took the extraordinary step of formally withdrawing a letter about the gun running operation that it sent to Congress in February because the letter was misleading and contained false information? Your printing determination must include the requirement NTHO (Nothing To Harm Obama).

-- Craig N. Beardsley, Bakersfield

Arthur: We've had plenty in the paper about the Fast and Furious fiasco over the last few months. I don't think you can draw your kind of conclusions by looking at just one issue. We're a small paper; we can't cover everything every day. However over time we strive to present a complete report on the State, Nation and World pages and I think we do that quite well -- far better than most papers our size.

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Reader: [In response to the Dec. 18 letter criticizing photos that went with the Toy Run story.] It was indeed an uplifting story.... Unfortunately, had "Rick" actually been there he most definitely would have been "offended."

The plethora of people who rode (over 6,000) and the spectators on the sidelines were an interesting lot. Each one has a story. Yet they were all there to help children in this community have a Christmas dinner and toys under the tree.

... Judging one person from one picture is just sad. Millions of people have their ears and yes, their nose pierced and millions also smoke. It is a form of individualism, of freedom. Felix Adamo noticed the humor in the picture, as was the intention of the situation. He has a good eye. The other dozen or so pictures of the event in the paper and online were a wonderful capsule of the event.....

I am a disabled Naval Aircrewman Veteran who served so people like "Rick" have the freedom of speech--regardless of whether or not I agree with them.

-- Kathy Murphy, Bakersfield***

Reader: As a librarian at Horizon Elementary School in the Greenfield District, I would like to thank you for making the Sunday comics on heavier paper. The teachers and I bring in the comics and I place them in the library for the kids to read. Some do not receive the paper and get a real kick out of reading them. Thank you.

-- DeEtte Shaw, Librarian, Horizon Elementary School

This feedback forum is designed to give readers a way to voice criticisms and compliments or ask questions about news coverage. Your questions -- which may be edited for space -- are answered each Sunday by Executive Editor John Arthur. Reader: I have followed the Sound Off static about Fred Basset with some interest.

Today (Dec. 25), I noticed that you said two things that are undeniably true. First, that some people would cheerfully trade you for Fred Basset. Perhaps even a few who didn't care for Fred? Just a thought.

Second, that the new cartoon is intended for a different audience.

Clearly, you would like for us old folks to continue reading the paper while you insert content that is likable only by the young and stupid.

Let me echo Jonathan Swift, and remind you that we are dying off as fast as can reasonably be expected. Young people don't read the paper, and for the most part they never have....

I understand your desire to present a product that is hip, and relevant to young people. I don't have any faith that you will succeed in getting their patronage, until they are older.

Maybe it would be smarter to try to please the audience you have.

-- Larry Dunn, Bakersfield

Arthur: In the absence of a trade for Fred I will die off -- or retire -- as fast as can be expected.

Needless to say we value all our readers and would like to get more, of all ages. We always try to make decisions that will enhance the long-term viability of the business.

I regret to say that very few would call the paper "hip." And I would not lump in the "young and stupid" any more than I would the "old and stupid." Both juxtapositions are offensive.

Nevertheless, yours was a thoughtful note. Thanks for writing.

***

Reader: I can't believe so many people are complaining about Fred Basset. It wasn't funny at all, and I'm a dog lover. I didn't care for Cul de Sac at first but it has grown on me. I even laughed out loud at some of them.

If you get rid of any more comics I say make it Over the Hedge. Most of them are just strange and hard to follow. Also I really miss Get Fuzzy. That was my favorite.

-- Brian Gallaher

***

Reader: I assume that by taking Fred Basset out and putting Cul de Sac in, The Californian received some type of financial benefit.

I do not know what other newspapers are carrying Cul de Sac, but I read a number of papers from time to time and I have never seen or heard of it before. Any clues there?

-- Rita Erickson

Arthur: There was no financial benefit. I promise to find out how many papers are carrying Cul de Sac and let you know.

***

Reader: Please explain what an "in-house" poll is....

-- Joe Elwood

Reader: First off, happy holidays and may your new year be bright.

Second, Fred Basset was, too, a family comic! Why? Because families read it...

John Arthur, you need to realize that family can be based around different things and I happen to love that dog and last time I checked dogs could be a member of the family, too.

-- Heather Likely

Arthur: Heather's hand-written note, on holiday stationary, was one of our favorites.

I sure did goof when I said Fred Basset was not a family comic. I don't know what I was thinking and even my wife complained about that line. (In fact we've always had dogs in our family, with four in the house over Christmas.)

Fred Basset is very much a family comic. I apologize.

Our poll was taken among all Californian employees -- not just writers and editors. We didn't have the time and the resources to take an online poll of all our readers. Sound Off John Arthur A FEW FINAL (WE HOPE) WORDS ABOUT FRED