PressEthic

I miss Boondocks. I don't miss the Family Circle. I mean, no one could. It's just annoying, and it ruins the whole page.

When the Washington Post was my local paper, I would generally start my morning like many more across the country: by jerking open the back page of the Style (or Home, or whatever) section of the paper and getting my morning dose of comics and crosswords. (And, I'll admit, gotta read the horoscope.) First thing in the morning, while I'm just begining my coffee, I'm not ready to read an introspective article on the new income tax legislation, or a tear jerker on the newest (inter)national disaster. Once I'm half way through my dark happy juice, I'll be ready. I think it's fair to ease in though.

Not in the New York Times though. No no no. You've got to search for their crossword. There's no Boondocks, and you'll not be cutting out Dilbert to hang in your cubicle.

Come on Times! Don't be so pretentious. It may seem childish, but some cartoons are a wonderful means of social commentary. Others are a delightful diversion that draw in children and soften the blow of daily bad news. Cut us some slack. Give us a little fun.