I was sitting and looking at my Newsweek magazine examining my expiration date, expiration of my subscription, and was pleased to find out it is good until June 4, 2014.
Then, a few hours later on television, I was told the magazine will stop publishing hard copies at the end of this year. They will continue with their Internet publication and I don’t know if it will be called Newsweek or The Beast. The Beast is their current publication on the internet.
I was a little shocked and dismayed wondering what my year and a half subscription has fallen into, but nonetheless, Newsweek is finished as a hard copy publication. It makes me sad.
I don’t remember the first time I picked up a Newsweek, but I distinctly remember a couple of publications. One was during the six-day Arab-Israeli war when I bought a Newsweek to find out what was going on in this conflict. When the war first broke out, that is in the early hours, the airwaves from Egypt, Syria, and other Arab countries made it sound like a sure Israeli defeat. They were talking about the Arab armored units smashing through Gaza, heading into Israel proper, and the Arab-Egytian Air Force shooting down the Israeli Air Force.
It didn’t make a lot of sense to me hearing all of this, so Newsweek gave me the real scoop. The Egyptian Air Force had been destroyed mainly on the ground in the first hours of the conflict. And the burning hulks of Russian tanks, those used by the Egyptian army, could be followed south to the Suez Canal. In the north, the Israeli forces were chasing the Syrian army back to Damascus. It was apparent, as I read my Newsweek, that Israel was not only winning, but they had smashed the Arab forces. As I read it, I breathed a sigh of relief.
Much earlier, about a decade before, I was in basic training at Parks Air Force Base in the United States Air Force. On our first, free, 12 hours away from basic training (we were restricted to the base during this time), I spent most of the day in the library picking up a copy of Newsweek and finding out what I had missed during the early training.
Newsweek was sort of a counter balance to Time magazine which leaned “right” and the more moderate, perhaps even “left,” Newsweek. Time, the news magazine that Henry Luce started in the 1920s, was a part of the large, Time family that included Life and Fortune. It would later be swept up in a melding of companies that became Time Warner. So its financial health was one part of the huge, corporate conglomerate which included Warner Brothers’ motion pictures, CNN, Turner Broadcasting, etc.
So in this information age with people everywhere knowing what is going on at just about the speed of light, a publication with days-old information became old-fashioned very quickly. Good writing, good columns, and good photography could not save Newsweek. Our life and times have passed it by.
Some of our great newspapers have folded or gone to Internet publications and I, for one, miss the turning of the pages. I will miss Newsweek. However, I’m proud to be a small part of a newspaper that is serving our community and the entire Wabash Valley.
Ronn Mott, a longtime radio personality in Terre Haute, writes commentaries for the Tribune-Star. His pieces are published online Tuesday and Thursday on Tribstar.com, and in the print and online editions on Saturday.
Opinion
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Ronn Mott
Discussion
RONN MOTT: Turning the page on Newsweek
- Opinion
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RONN MOTT: Why Syria?
Russia is making a lot of noise in favor of Syria. They are supplying Assad’s army with more armaments and basic things such as ammunition and such.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Another beloved dog goes to heaven
We are short one granddog. This past week, “Indy” could no longer use her back legs and she went to that great dog kennel in the hereafter.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 18, 2013
• Beware those who follow Ayn Rand
• Poor excuse for gas price hikes
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MAX JONES: For loyal readers, a bit of news from the T-S newsroom
As journalists toiling to create a content-rich, relevant and compelling community newspaper each day, we feel a special bond with our legions of readers across the Wabash Valley and beyond.
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GUEST COLUMN: One Million Bones exhibit meant to raise awareness, inspire action to end genocide
The National Mall: A grassy corridor in Washington, D.C., lined with America’s greatest museums and monuments.
Ending at the U.S. Capitol building, it is a symbol of our belief in the power and greatness of America. Last weekend, we turned it into a mass grave.
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EDITORIAL: Insisting on ISTEP quality lawmakers’ primary duty
Now that everyone, on both sides of the aisle, seems backslappingly happy to agree that this spring’s ISTEP school testing debacle was unacceptable, that at least some of the results lack credibility and that the issue carries high-stakes significance, what next?
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The Obama Debate: Is he a liar or incompetent?
I read the letters on the opinion page daily and I find an unusual silence from your liberal progressive contributors lately. Could it be because they don’t have anything to expound upon? Well, maybe I can give them some material.
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A Fathers Day Tribute: Transition — from child to father
Transition seems like a big word to use as his story unfolds. Transition was probably never used in conjunction with speech, his speech, but it demonstrates his life, as it does in many lives lived in his generation.
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READERS' FORUM: June 16, 2013
Horrible crime cries out for stern justice
Confused about groups’ merger
Global warming fraud exposed
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The Obama Debate: President has served us well
I have not heard a positive thing by those in this area about this president since his 2008 election and 2009 inauguration. Why this manifestation, I just can’t understand.
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RONN MOTT: Not hurried a bit by 21st century tech
Unlike so many of you, I do not get up in the morning and run to turn on my computer. In fact, if you need to reach me in a hurry, I would say that 19th century invention of Alexander Bell’s would be the best way. If you do email me or use some other electronic convenience, better give it a couple of days because I am not in that big of a hurry.
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READERS' FORUM: June 15, 2013
America needs another hero
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EDITORIAL: And now we wait for justice
It is a word we would rather never have on our front page — homicide. That we had to use it twice on Wednesday’s front page is sad, but unavoidable.
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READERS' FORUM: June 14, 2013
Mott statements contradict history
Display the flag
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RONN MOTT: Kill the Umpire!
I don’t know who appointed Major League Baseball’s umpires “Gods,” but if they have been appointed “Gods,” they have appointed people who cannot see or think very well.
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READERS' FORUM: June 13, 2013
Bad odor from gas prices
Build personal library
Morning after? No worries
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EDITORIAL: Remembering Sister Jeanne
Terre Haute is mourning the loss this week of an accomplished and beloved community activist and leader whose life’s work is an inspiration to all who strive to serve.
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EDITORIAL: Embrace the value of traffic planning
Never underestimate the value of a good plan to deal with a crisis, large or small, even if the final analysis of the management of a specific crisis is, “It could have been worse.”
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READERS' FORUM: June 12, 2013
Like it or not, change coming
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RONN MOTT: What’s happening?
I know I may have looked at these situations differently when I was in my twenties. The world, my life, my career, and the growth of my family all lay ahead of me. So perhaps now, many years later, I see it differently.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 11, 2013
• Great support for local cause
• Another idea on housing issue
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LIZ CIANCONE: Withdrawn society not very social any more
My Best Friend and I went out for lunch the other day. It was a sit-down place with our own “server” (in my day I was called “a waitress”) and everything offering personal attention. The manager even came over to ask if everything was all right.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 10, 2013
• What is the cost of our austerity?
• Vintage campers to gather at rally
• Seek a healthy food alternative
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EDITORIAL: It’s time to assess ISTEP
Later this month, the company behind this spring’s abysmal online administration of ISTEP testing for 27,000 Hoosier schoolchildren is being called to the principal’s office.
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Readers’ Forum: June 9, 2013
• Taking time to help the world
• Reform by politics will not improve education
• Questions from a wondering mind
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FLASHPOINT: Storm chasers must heed warnings, remember why we chase storms
The tragic death of noted weather researcher and former Discovery Channel storm chaser Tim Samaras has shaken all of us in the meteorological community.
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Will you be happy if you win the lottery?
A Psychology Today article titled “What Will You Do if You Win the $550 Million Powerball Lottery?” caught my attention. Helping lottery winners with their money is my long-time gig.
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RONN MOTT: The ‘wilds’ of Collett Park
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EDITORIAL: Fix fraud, don’t punish needy
Waste and fraud in government programs should be rooted out vigilantly. Legislation should fix a problem with a fitting solution, not punish the needy.
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READERS' FORUM: June 7, 2013
Thanks to those who helped VYFL
- More Opinion Headlines
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Tiger on Sergio: 'It's Time to Move On'
Robot Action Connected to Human Thought
Rain Damages Brazil Soccer Stadium
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
California Cops Cruise on Stand-up Paddle Patrol
Falling Cable Hurts 10 NASCAR Fans
Obama: US Has Helped Syrian Rebels
Raw: 100K Protesters Flood Brazilian Streets
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
Afghan Forces Take Afghanistan Security Lead
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
Transgender Candidate Running in NYC
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Oklahoma City Thunder Players Tour Moore
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Today in History June 18
Spurs' Popovich has no problem with Spurs' intensity
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
Sofia Vergara Posts Perky Backside Pic in Thong
Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture
Caught on Tape: Teacher Accused of Beating Autistic Child
"Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking
Sesame Street Tackling Tough Topic Parents in Jail
Miss Utah Fumbles Interview Question
Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned
