newspapers are increasingly going to “free registration” route. If you read a lot of newspapers — and blog from them — it’s getting increasingly difficult to access stories without having to set up an account. Not only is it annoying to have so many accounts out there, but it means Pursed Lips readers have to have an equal number of accounts to read what I blog.
At worse, it means I’m no longer using some sources — the LA Times Calendar Live section can serve as the worse case scenario in this case, which now charges for its content. It’s a shame that we no longer have free access to some of the best books reviews around.
A lesser case scenario happened just this week with my own local newspaper, The Hartford Courant. They’ve just gone the free registration route, albeit with Bruce Springsteen tickets as bait. Forget that they originated the as yet little-known Doonesbury story about Trudeau doing a strip on masturbation; you can’t get at it without being registered. So this Editor and Publisher piece will have to serve as a close second. At least it includes Trudeau’s own comment about the strip’s intent.
But still. Registration everywhere. Wasn’t so bad when it was just the NY Times and Salon, but now it’s just too cumbersome, given that you blog readers come from all over the world for a pit stop here.
Double bummer: The Courant also ran a piece about the movie Thirteen, evaluating not just the film, but whether it’s appropriate for your young teen. Annoying, annoying, annoying.
Edgy women. What the article doesn’t say is that it isn’t just for the next generation of feminists. Plenty of us older women have a (sex or otherwise) radical streak in our views and activities.
Wow. I missed this first time around in July: Bill Bennett softening up on The Tim Russert Show. Read the transcripts carefully, folks, because most media coverage of this interview focused on his gambling habit and little or nothing was said about other substanitive comments he made. Namely, that basic notions should be granted to GLBT folks:
“And I believe homosexuals should be entitled to respect and equality. And should be left alone. Basically should be left alone.”
Granted, Bennett is working out how to “protect” marriage for hets only and has a long way to go in understanding the marriage for all will not weaken the institution itself, but at least he has climbed off his formerly high-horse conservative agenda. He’s even softened on the culture wars:
I’m a student of American culture. I have reevaluated my own position on American culture. And come to the conclusion that we’re not ready to go down the tubes at all. This is one great strong country. And we’ve produced these fabulous people.
Progress. I’ll take it where I can get it. Tomorrow: Books, books, books. About sex, of course.
