R.I.P. Brainstorm NW Magazine
Carla Axtman
As our Republican friends often like to remind us: ideas, personalities and entities should sink or swim in the market on their own merits, or lack thereof. It would appear that at least in magazine form, the marketplace of ideas has spoken out loud and strong against an important periodical of Republican/Conservative concepts: Brainstorm NW.
Brainstorm was born in 1997, the conservative ideological baby of Editor Bridget Barton and Publisher Jim Pasero. Ironically, the magazine attempted to live its life in the same style as the liberal The Nation, via corporate underwriting and higher subscription rates.
As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. Apparently it takes one to end the life of a magazine as well. Regular contributors to Brainstorm NW included Lars Larson and Rob Kremer, as well as Eastside gadfly Dave Lister.
Editor Bridget Barton lamented her loss to Oregonian columnist Steve Duin:
For the past 12 years, BrainstormNW has published in Oregon and been read by thousands of well-educated, active, thoughtful citizens. We, of course, are a niche magazine, not a newspaper. Did we have a message, a slant, like the Aurora of 1798? Yes. For 12 years we have sounded the alarm that Oregon's business climate was rapidly cooling. We have made the case that our planet was just as likely to be cooling and that the global warming fanatics were just that, con artists seeking power and financial gain. For 12 years we warned that ignoring the rich resources of rural Oregon was foolhardy and would lead to poverty and social decay. For 12 years we have sounded the alert that 22 years of one-party rule by Democrats would eventually corrupt. That the concentrated power, numbers and inflated pensions and benefits of public unions would undermine and finally destroy Oregon's economy.
I almost hate to rain on Bridget's parade while she's still in the first stages of grief, but I'll do it anyway. Oregon's legislature has been very recently in Republican control. The Oregon House found the Republicans in the majority from 1990-2006 (16 years of the last 22 years). They had the Senate in 1990 and again from 1995-2003. I may not be a genius, but basic math says that the whole "one-party rule" thing isn't the way Bridget would like to paint it.
Interestingly, Barton's dire message of an Oregon business climate in atrophy comes on the same day that Intel announced a $7 billion manufacturing initiative to add capacity and upgrade existing wafer fabrication plants in Arizona, New Mexico and Oregon. The plan calls for the adding of 7,000 high-wage jobs.
Thus Brainstorm NW joins the Pajamas Media Ad Network and the George W. Bush Administration in the graveyard of worn out, tired and ill-thought out ideas and ideals.
May they rest in peace.
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connect with blueoregon
Feb 10, '09
Yeah, but I'm gonna miss writing "the Eastside Guy".
Feb 10, '09
Wow, Carla. I didn't know I was a "gadfly". I'm not sure that actually fits, if you go to the dictionary.
I seem to recall you agreeing with me just a month or so ago on the stimulus package.
Feb 10, '09
Erm, so does that mean that the death of "Air America" in Eugene is a sign that "progressive" ideas in this city have been dumped in "the graveyard of worn out, tired and ill-thought out ideas and ideals"?
No, of course it doesn't. It means that an unprofitable commercial enterprise has logically closed up shop.
As for Lars Larson, while I've never been able to stand the guy, as far as I know the "marketplace of ideas" seems to be doing just fine in keeping him on the radio.
Oh, wait... You were just gloating? My bad.
Feb 10, '09
Carla's a dance on their grave kinda gal, opposing views be damned.
Feb 10, '09
I'm not into deriding people for failing in this economy - especially not the print media which is in a technological death-grip anyway. Oh, well. At least with this post, Carla spelled the name right. Journalism lives on.
8:42 p.m.
Feb 10, '09
I seem to recall you agreeing with me just a month or so ago on the stimulus package.
Dave--as the saying goes, even a broken clock is right twice a day. :)
Feb 10, '09
Good heavens, is anyone other than the complement of Republican trolls going to comment on this?
I read Brainstorm for a while. Was not that impressed with the presentation of ideas and ideology--and seemed to be a lot of slick advertising of out-of-my-price-range real estate. Yawn.
Feb 10, '09
Did Brainstorm ever propose solutions, or just preach ideology?
Lars was once a good local newscaster. That he now models himself as a local Limbaugh wannabe does not solve any problems.
In the "marketplace of ideas" there are always the items which have passed their sell-by date (anti-communism in the mid 1990s, "those tax and spend liberals" in the times of Gingrich and W, for example).
I'd rather read Buckley or Mickey Edwards or David Brooks than the wannabes like Brainstorm or Lars.
Feb 10, '09
Oops, Carla showed the progressives' hand: they really do recognize how the marketplace of ideas works, and that losing doesn't make it any less fair. How inconvenient that admission will be in the not so distant future when she and other BlueOregonians "discuss the merits" of the Fairness Doctrine.
PS Carla: Be sure to share that Intel news with short-sighted Chuck.
8:54 p.m.
Feb 10, '09
I remember Bridget Barton from her appearances on OPB's 7 Days.
She was not one hair shaper than a sack of hammers.
Feb 10, '09
Intel is going to spend $1.5B (plus $1.0B already being spent quietly) to upgrade facilities. The upgrade will employ 1500 construction workers and technicians. THey also reported that an unnamed number of high paying jobs will be staying in Oregon as a result.
Now I didn't see the news tonight, did they report this GOOD news or only that Nike is downsizing.
9:33 p.m.
Feb 10, '09
I'd trade having Brainstorm NW back in circ for Lars taking an extended absence any day: at least you can recycle a magazine. And Lars could use the time to even get an Associates from one of Oregon's illustrious community colleges.
Feb 10, '09
And Lars could use the time to even get an Associates from one of Oregon's illustrious community colleges.
Except that he'd get kicked out of school for the stuff he does on the radio--making stuff up and presenting it as fact.
Feb 10, '09
I didn't agree with them on a heck of a lot, but allow me to express a contrarian note of regret about the demise of Brainstorm. Brainstorm was rarely knee-jerk, and occasionally surprised. Diversity of ideas is healthy, and the conservative playing field is now left to Lars and one or two blogs.
And on a personal note, I know Bridget a bit, Jim better, and hold them both in high esteem. Jim is a really charming, funny guy. Knows his Blazers basketball, too.
Feb 10, '09
Carla says: Interestingly, Barton's dire message of an Oregon business climate in atrophy comes on the same day that Intel announced a $7 billion manufacturing initiative to add capacity and upgrade existing wafer fabrication plants in Arizona, New Mexico and Oregon. The plan calls for the adding of 7,000 high-wage jobs.
Actually Carla, Intel's press release doesn't say 'adding' 7,000 jobs - it says 'supporting' 7,000 jobs... There may be some new jobs but mostly it will mean people already working in those wafer fabs will continue to have employment.
But... interesting to note that it was here, in Blue Oregon, a week or so ago that Intel was being skewered for taking advantage of Oregon's tax incentives, not paying state corporate income taxes, and then 'picking up and leaving' when they announced they were letting ~1,000 people go due to the downturn in their business. My how the worm turns when it suits...
11:15 p.m.
Feb 10, '09
From the AP news story:
Whole story can be found here.
Feb 11, '09
Carla Axtman:
Ironically, the magazine attempted to live its life in the same style as the liberal The Nation, via corporate underwriting and higher subscription rates.
Bob T:
What's ironic about that? Is this method of doing business in opposition to free enterprise at all? It's not.
Bob Tiernan Mult Co
12:50 a.m.
Feb 11, '09
poor DJ: reduced to spouting off Limbaugh talking points. I can't speak for every BlueO contributor, but you can count me among those who thinks it's good that the fairness doctrine is on the ash heap of history.
Feb 11, '09
Latterly, I was able to find Braindrizzle NW for free in many places.
I'm happy to say it was worth exactly what I paid for it. Great value-for-money.
6:33 a.m.
Feb 11, '09
Alcatross: The news story I cited (CNBC) specifically says that its an addition of 7,000 jobs. I haven't read the press release. Either way, its an example of a significant Oregon employer investing in jobs in our state.
Bob T: The irony is that Brainstorm would choose the same business model as one of the most liberal periodicals in the country. Brainstorm dies, The Nation remains.
Feb 11, '09
Carla says: The news story I cited (CNBC) specifically says that its an addition of 7,000 jobs. I haven't read the press release. Either way, its an example of a significant Oregon employer investing in jobs in our state.
It is... but it's not going to have any significant positive impact on Oregon's always higher-than-average unemployment rate. And one employer doth not a healthy business climate make. For every story like this there are multiple stories of employers cutting back or leaving Oregon altogether. Don't delude yourself.
This is also yet another example of why I cross-check (via multiple sources) many of the 'facts' and statistics I hear/read these days - both here and even by media outlets. Lots of agendas out there...
Feb 11, '09
Agenda, alcatros? Guess you haven't been paying attention to the absence of enforcement of WTO. Tens of thousands of jobs were flat out stolen while GW looked the otherway. But we know what you are really saying....LarsLardhead says it nonstop. More taxcuts please! Nope. One trick pony has taken everyone for a very short ride.
8:25 a.m.
Feb 11, '09
It is... but it's not going to have any significant positive impact on Oregon's always higher-than-average unemployment rate. And one employer doth not a healthy business climate make. For every story like this there are multiple stories of employers cutting back or leaving Oregon altogether. Don't delude yourself.
The arguments about what constitutes a "healthy business climate" were argued extensively at Brainstorm, according to the editor of the periodical. I suspect they'll continue to be argued long past the time that it fades from the memories of most.
That's part of what makes yesterday's announcements so fascinating and ironic in my view.
There are indeed many stories of job losses. This is a nationwide issue, not merely an Oregon issue. Interestingly, Intel is apparently choosing to shut down certain operations overseas and expand/improve operations here and in two other states. Clearly they see good business reasons to do this.
Feb 11, '09
Maybe I missed something but it sounds to me like Ms. Barton is proud of the fact that her magazine has spent the past 12 years betting on the instant replay... on the wrong side and over and over and over.
I'd suggest that she move on to meditation. She'll get the same reassurance from the repetition but she may raise her own conciousness rather than reducing the state's average I.Q.
Feb 11, '09
I think this is the magazine I came across at my local Kaiser office just prior to the election last year. There were heaps of them in every waiting area in the hospital.
Being the political junkie that I am ("ooh! ooh! election news!") I couldn't resist cracking one open. I did several spit takes as I read through the "endorsements". I had never heard of this magazine before, so I had to read the fine print on the first page to see that it was supported by various business groups. Figures.
I thought it was just a special pro-business propaganda piece put together just for the election. It did look very slick.
9:33 a.m.
Feb 11, '09
So the print version of Brainstorm will be gone, but I'm betting that the blog lives on. It's at least worth mentioning, that this is in keeping with a nationwide trend away from printed media over the past decade.
I still subscribe to the Oregonian, but rarely actually open the paper. I'm considering it a waste of money and will probably soon cancel my subscription.
<hr/>I will continue to check in with Brainstorm's website on at least a weekly basis. I consider it to be necessary .......er......intelligence.......gathering, but then I always keep an eye on Newsmax too, and have Drudge on my bookmarks list.
9:54 a.m.
Feb 11, '09
I'm with Josh that this is not a great thing. I loved to read the mag because it reflected a worldview so unlike the one I inhabit. It had a split personality that arose from the economic elitism of the writers and their sense of being intellectual revolutionaries in occupied territory. I loved the days when they would squeal about the power of Red Erik. It was the kind of magazine that could only exist in Portland; it was the other side of the Hawthorne coin.
It's also an especially weird time to die. Now that Democrats are ascendent and conservative ideology has been sent to the hinterland, we need thoughtful conservatives publically working out their 21st century raison d'etre. It was a slight oddity in the era of George W. Bush--at times triumphal, at times shellshocked--but now it could actually be useful. A pity.
Feb 11, '09
Pretty soon the conservatives will have to join the pity party with the Communists, Marxists and Stalinists. "But, if we were only pure enough our ideology would of worked. Really"
After the 2010 election the republican party will be small enough to drown in a bath tub.
10:16 a.m.
Feb 11, '09
Adios Brainfart NW!
10:29 a.m.
Feb 11, '09
I, for one, don't share some my fellow liberals' sadness at the passing of Brainstorm NW. Most of them, I think, are again falling into a common trap I see among thoughtful progressives: imputing honor to modern American conservatives.
This is really quite common. Remember the West Wing? There was not a better advocate for "small government/save your pennies" ideology than that liberal show's fictional conservatives.
The problem is that those type of conservatives don't actually exist. Brainstorm NW actually showed what they were: people who worship entitlement (economic or godly), and spend their time telling themselves how much better they are than everyone else.
Usually they've gotten their money the old fashioned way - through inheriting it and/or taking advantage of government programs - but hypocrisy is part and parcel with the whole mindset. And of course, when they fail, they're always first in line crying for a massive bailout.
So, to sum up: liberals are concerned with the benefit of all humanity, including where (and where not) government should influence allocation of societal resources. This is what we pretend to ourselves that conservatism is all about. Real conservatives, however, are concerned only with themselves. And as far as they're concerned, so long as they're comfortable, everyone else can go to hell.
Don't believe me? Go reread several back-copies of Brainstorm NW.
10:41 a.m.
Feb 11, '09
I didn't look at Brainstorm much, but thought Tim Hibbits's article on Portlands political climate a few years back is really excellent.
BTW Carla, I don't know what you think "atrophy" connotes, but Portland and Oregon has stubbornly high unemployment, exceeding national totals, this for a city that is supposedly chock full of entrepreneurial young creatives.
I like a lot about this city, but I don't let that blind myself to reality: our economy is in serious need of diversification. CA and WA catch cold and we get pneumonia.
Feb 11, '09
The problem is that those type of conservatives don't actually exist.
Do tell.
Feb 11, '09
Posted by: Dave Lister | Feb 10, 2009 6:53:45 PM
Wow, Carla. I didn't know I was a "gadfly". I'm not sure that actually fits, if you go to the dictionary.
A bit, ime, but Harry K, now there's a true gadfly! I think the point is you can't really compliment someone on being a gadfly. Part of it is that a gadfly is irritating, and never becomes endearing. A true gadfly can't cross the line into the comfort zone.
11:44 a.m.
Feb 11, '09
BTW Carla, I don't know what you think "atrophy" connotes, but Portland and Oregon has stubbornly high unemployment, exceeding national totals, this for a city that is supposedly chock full of entrepreneurial young creatives.
Paul--in the last year, that's somewhat true. Portland metro area is running about a percentage point higher in unemployment than the national average as of December 2008. December 2007 showed PDX to be identical to the national average. I can't find figures for 2009 yet. If you have a source, I'd appreciate a link.
I agree that diversification is important and key to the problem of unemployment. However, based on the unemployment numbers throughout the state, it seems that (with the exception of the Corvallis area), the Portland region is doing markedly better than the rest of the state. There's room for much improvement, indeed. But it would appear that areas on the coast and Central/Eastern Oregon are the real drag on the statewide unemployment figures.
Feb 11, '09
Had Brainstorm produced intelligent writing and propose solutions that people other than their readership might have considered debating, it might have been a worthwhile publication.
I don't let THE NATION or any other publication (or any radio show for that matter, even though I am a huge Ed Schultz fan) do my thinking for me.
My impression whenever I heard Ms. Barton interviewed was that all good thinking Oregonians were supposed to agree with Bridget Barton and not ask questions. Did her wing of the Republican party win converts during the life of the magazine, or did Oregonians decide in favor of pragmatism and against ideology during that magazine lifetime?
Great line, Carla to say " the conservative ideological baby of Editor Bridget Barton ".
Now, I did not read the magazine because I never saw a print copy down here in Salem. But when it was quoted it the writing/ ideas did not seem appealing to me.
But then, I thought Wm. F. Buckley was a true conservative and people who disagreed with him were something else--right wingers, New Right, whatever.
Intelligent writing is always valued. Ideological writing, on the other hand, seems to say "don't think, just read and agree".
No one (except perhaps Brainstorm alums) would call David Brooks a flaming liberal. But if the Republicans want to rebuild their "marketshare" in the free marketplace of ideas, they'd be wise to ditch the nastiness of Tiernan and instead adopt the intelligent prose of those like David Brooks.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/opinion/10brooks.html?em
The second balance Geithner has struck is political. The mood in Congress is sour. Members are sickened by how much TARP money has been wasted.
To rebuild goodwill, Geithner’s program is designed to be reasonably simple and transparent. <<
Feb 11, '09
I hope that the sinking of "Brainstorm" is a sign of the demise of extreme right wing ideology. Anything that has the support of Lars Larson deserves to fail.
On the other hand, it may be also a symptom our newspaper and magazine culture itself is headed down the toilet and those who actually read are going to read online. When major newspapers and syndicates are going bankrupt, and Newsweek is going over a cliff, a major cataclysm in the journalistic economy is happening.
Feb 11, '09
Kari: "poor DJ: reduced to spouting off Limbaugh talking points. I can't speak for every BlueO contributor, but you can count me among those who thinks it's good that the fairness doctrine is on the ash heap of history."
Glad to hear it, Kari. For the record, I am taking my queue from the lips of Pelosi and other Dems, as shown on YouTube compliments of O'Reilly. Did O'Reilly put words in Pelosi's mouth?
12:21 p.m.
Feb 11, '09
DJ -- Well, even Billo acknowledged that President Obama opposes it. Apparently, Pelosi supports it, which is disappointing.
But then, I'm not much interested in a guy - Billo - who claims that "the internet is mostly liberal". I don't even know what that means. The internet is mostly porn and video games.
2:02 p.m.
Feb 11, '09
When it comes to the fairness doctrine, I think liberals would be well advised just to keep bringing up the prospect of reviving it (but not actually devote any energy to actually reviving it), because the mere mention of it is enough to drive conservatives to utter distraction. It's better for everyone that conservatives stay focused on something as irrelevant as the potential revival of the fairness doctrine, as, you know, the issues of the day.
Feb 11, '09
instead adopt the intelligent prose of those like David Brooks.
who I remember calling on Obama to run in a December, 2006, "what to look forward to in 2007" program on the News Hour. That he would say, "run, B, run" was what first drew my attention to BO.
3:26 p.m.
Feb 11, '09
I certainly hope they provide refunds to subscribers...If they don't I'll certainly send a complaint to the AG's consumer fraud unit.
Feb 11, '09
Carla says: Interestingly, Intel is apparently choosing to shut down certain operations overseas and expand/improve operations here and in two other states. Clearly they see good business reasons to do this.
But interestingly, 1000 of the 5000-6000 jobs Intel announced they would cut several weeks ago (which includes the operations you reference above) were here in Oregon - so it's still a net job loss. Sure there's a good business reason to invest some of the $7B in Oregon: but I suspect it has less to do with Oregon's 'healthy business climate' than the fact they've got billions of dollars in the wafer fabrication facility here already. It's obviously still less expensive to upgrade an existing fab here (and in AZ and NM) than build a new one somewhere else.
5:02 p.m.
Feb 11, '09
NRJE -- Brilliant!
Feb 11, '09
I can't feel very sorry for Bridget. Bridget, Reinhard, and Larson forced their way onto "7 Days" and effectively made the show un-watchable. What was a local version of "Washington Week" became a debate between professional journalists that knew how to report and the three right wing propagandists listed above.
While the BSNW team wants to blame it all on Democrats, conservatives actually have driven away Independents and moderate Republicans with their delusional BS.
Perhaps the Obama stimulus package will provide a construction job for Barton after her unemployment insurance runs out!
5:33 p.m.
Feb 11, '09
Carla
The appropriate comparison is not PDX to the state or PDX to the nation, but PDX to other cities like ours.
And the numbers ain't good:
In order, unemployment rates for Aug / Oct / Dec
Sea 4.9 / 5.5 / 6.3 SLC 3.8 / 3.2 / 3.8 SFO 6.2 / 6.5 / 7.0 SJose 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.8 Aus 4.5 / 4.8 / 5.2
PDX 6.1 / 6.3 / 8.1
We are near the SFO and San Jose rates but worse, and far worse off than other small "hip" cities. The only one I can find that is in our ballpark is Charlotte. Pittsburgh, Dallas, Houston, Boston all doing significantly better.
Source: bls.gov
Feb 11, '09
NRJE -- distraction...that very well may be what Sen. Harkin is up to in this interview from just today.
Oregonians don't need to look to Pelosi or Harkin...DeFazio himself was a Fairness Doctrine cosponsor when HR 3302 was introduced in 2005. I suppose that qualifies as devoting energy to revive it.
Feb 11, '09
Trying again...
Here's Harkin and here's DeFazio's cosponsorship
6:20 p.m.
Feb 11, '09
DJ,
Thanks for helping make my point.
We have been doing our best to keep it all under wraps, but you have uncovered our top secret plot! Priority # 2 for liberals -- after our top priority of building 3,000 new drive-in abortion clinics (through use of stimulus funds, natch) -- IS revival of the fairness doctrine. We were going to make el Rushbo's show one hour of Rush, followed by one hour of Phil Donahue. And, we would have gotten away with it if not for you meddling kids!
Feb 11, '09
send a complaint to the AG's consumer fraud unit.
unless it was a recurring, internet subscription. They seem to have Carte Blanche to charge with impunity and deliver nothing for it. .com business model ain't totally dead and buried!
Feb 11, '09
DJ, the bill DeFazio cosponsored isn't the Fairness Doctrine, it's restoring ownership limits, which is a different issue.
Feb 11, '09
I think there's a combined message here. Calra, "The appropriate comparison is not PDX to the state or PDX to the nation, but PDX to other cities like ours. And the numbers ain't good"
Bob R. "I hope that the sinking of "Brainstorm" is a sign of the demise of extreme right wing ideology. Anything that has the support of Lars Larson deserves to fail."
It goes something like this.
"We need to make sure and keep out anyone on the right because us lefties are doing such a bang up job." ?
Especially with our decent left wingers like Sad Adams and Portland?
Honestly folks, why is it that you want the entire country run like the worst examples in the country?
Is it the gay, abortion and enviromental fixations and nothing else matters?
I have to believe that even some of you think Jim Labbe's recomendations for Oregon's economy and future are not sound.
8:12 p.m.
Feb 11, '09
The appropriate comparison is not PDX to the state or PDX to the nation, but PDX to other cities like ours.
Paul--this 'business climate' discussion started out as a statewide one, not a Portland-specific one. However I suspect your comparison doesn't take into account the larger statewide issues where the various cities are located. Cities are not islands. If there are problems in other localities within a state with business diversity, education infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, etc. that this also makes a difference for the locality.
As I said earlier, Portland has room for improvement. But clearly at least Intel believes that its quite worth the investment to be in the area.
And Alcatross--the new Intel investment ensures that 7000 high paying jobs stay in the U.S. and creates jobs for contractors and construction via the upgrades.
While I'm at it on a broader note, I think its ultimately a good thing that Brainstorm is gone, at least for now. I hope that it gives the opposition an impetus to develop actual ideas and solutions for our economic problems that haven't been tried and failed.
Its one thing to be a strong opposition voice. It's another to just keep parroting the same stuff over and over again--that has been tried and ultimately demonstrated to be an abject failure.
Feb 11, '09
... I hope that it gives the opposition an impetus to develop actual ideas and solutions for our economic problems that haven't been tried and failed.
"Its one thing to be a strong opposition voice. It's another to just keep parroting the same stuff over and over again--that has been tried and ultimately demonstrated to be an abject failure. "...
Look at Republicans who are actually discussing issues and getting things done.
What did Barton et al ever do except question those who didn't meet their ideologically pure standards?
And were they just a Portland publication (regardless of the title) which most folks downstate never encountered unless Barton or others were on TV or had a guest opinion in a local publication?
Some years ago Marion County Democrats revived Demoforum--a luncheon series which features speakers. Sometimes they are speakers on a topic like health care. Also, a great venue for candidates and elected officials to speak to a local audience.
If those of the Brainstorm persuasion were to start something like that, it might produce more intelligent debate among the general public than the magazine ever did.
Feb 11, '09
Wrong, fbear.
HR 3302: Media Ownership Reform Act of 2005 To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prevent excessive concentration of ownership of the nation's media outlets, to restore fairness in broadcasting, and to foster and promote localism, diversity, and competition in the media.
Feb 12, '09
You remember that discussion on political capital and how to use it? I vote this as a very, very good use of political capital.
Feb 12, '09
Writing for the "well-educated and thoughtful" conservative while sleeping with the Bush Administation should have been the first clue that its editorial integrity was bankrupt.
Brainstorm NW had the self-satisfied smirk of the late William Buckley Jr. with none of his wit or clarity.
Feb 12, '09
I was going to add verbatim what Jeff posted. Those seem to be the two extremes among conservatives now, and anything in the middle or straddling the two has no audience. To whit the election quip, "What's the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull", could be answered, "the pit bull demonstrates something akin to human intelligence". Nothing against hockey moms, just that hockey mom.
Feb 12, '09
Carla Axtman:
The irony is that Brainstorm would choose the same business model as one of the most liberal periodicals in the country. Brainstorm dies, The Nation remains.
Bob T:
I still don't see it as ironic that the Brainstorm people used that model since it's quite within the bounds of a free enterprise operation. Maybe it should be ironic that the people running The Nation have been using it. But then, no one ever said all such people are stupid when it comes to grasping human nature (which is a good part of understanding economics), such as that displayed by those people in Seattle who started that borrow-a-bicycle outfit so individuals can borrow a bike for a day or so (keeping a car off the road) which resulted in all of the bikes being stolen. Gee, what a surprise.
Anyway, maybe Brainstorm also had problems finding enough people interested in it being that this is Oregon. I don't know.
Bob Tiernan Mult Co
Feb 13, '09
NRJE -- more silly Fairness Doctirne "distraction" by Dems in Washington...they're following your plan to a tee. Today it's Rep. Hinchey of New York on CNN radio.
Feb 14, '09