Bless their hearts …
The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper had a big “exclusive” political scoop in its pages this weekend. In fact it was so exclusive, the paper’s copy editors wrote “EXCLUSIVE” in all capital letters in the story’s headline.
The big scoop? The impending lieutenant gubernatorial candidacy of Lowcountry real estate developer Pat McKinney, an ally of S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley. According to reporter Andy Shain, McKinney “plans to announce Monday that he will seek the GOP nomination for the job of lieutenant governor, a post currently held by Republican Glenn McConnell.”
Yet while this is big political news here in the Palmetto State, it’s only “exclusive” – or “EXCLUSIVE” – if you’ve got a time machine.
How come? Because this website broke the news of McKinney’s candidacy two months ago – and first reported on Haley’s efforts to recruit him two months before that.
Shain’s “EXCLUSIVE” story in The State didn’t mention any of that … which is pretty weak.
When other news outlets break stories (nationally or locally) we give them credit for doing so. Not only that, we provide our readers with links to their websites. It’s common courtesy … a sign of professional respect even if there are differing ideologies at play.
It’s also good karma for us … not to mention a sign that we’re not afraid of a little competition in the marketplace of ideas.
Best of all? It’s an opportunity for our founding editor to mock The State and its reporters on social media in his own particular (idiom, sir?) … idiom.
25 comments
The State just sucks, and bad. Back in the day it only sorta sucked, but now it sucks bad.
Thumbs down for brown nosing. Appreciate the website and excellent news and EXCLUSIVES Sic. No disrespect intended. As the Colonel might say. Carry on.
The State sucks ass like no one has sucked ass before. Since they signed on to inhibit commentary with their Fecebook Comment feature, I hope the fall to ruin and soon. I was in the grocery store a couple of weeks ago and a young man was in there giving away papers and soliciting subscriptions to The State.
I told him that what I was about to say was not personal or directed at him, but that I wouldn’t subscribe to that paper if it were the last news source on the planet, since the went to Facebook commenting. He indicated that he understood.
What really sucks is that “youre the 100000 visitor” ad. If i have an epileptic fit, I hope someone will witness my lawsuit. Please dump that ad.
Gee, Frank . . . and I had you pegged as one who would be likely to click on said 100,000th visitor ad . . . or perhaps you are too smart for that and have been keeping count of how many times you’ve “visited” . . . . and know that you are only up to 999,999 . . . good work, Frank!
I passed that a long time ago. My guess is your hufpo visits passed that in …??? 2003???
Must agree dump that ad, it’s a real displeasure, annoying and obnoxious.
“You’re the 100,000th visitor”, if you believe that you’re the joke.
Shifty agrees and skips the articles without reading it – ANNOYING!!!
Wait! What?
TBG is not the 100,000 visitor?
Sumbeetch!
??? Ad?
I don’t see any ads.
Oh, that’s right, I have an ad blocker for my browser. Guess it’s doing it’s job real well.
What’s it called?
‘AdBlock’ extension for the Chrome browser. There also ‘AdBlock plus’.
To help combat trackers I also have the ‘Ghostery’ extension. You will have to do some rule customizing for this one as it blocks Facebook and Disqus comment sections on websites like this one and the ones on local news sites. But it’s easy to do.
I’ve been running these for a few years now. I don’t even get ads on Facebook.
I’ll check it out. Desktop right? Anything for mobi?
I don’t know. There probably may be since Android and Google are practically the same. Just do a search for ad blocking apps.
yep yep
Let’s stay on subject, and talk about what really sucks: The State newspaper. It creates an ethical and intellectual vacuum every time it publishes–especially anything by Scoppe or Adcock. Let’s rename our “hometown” newspaper “The Teats”.
CNSYD is gonna need a bigger tip jar.
TBG, what Sic Willie and his media buds don’t seem to understand is that NO ONE gives a shit if they have an “exclusive” except themselves. It is the media’s version of claiming who’s dick is bigger.
Personally I dont think Mr. Folks gives a crap if he broke the story as he does someone else saying they did, and didn’t. It’s a keyword to attract the lemmings with on a slow news day so they will do a drive by. Kind of like stink bait. Put enough out there and sommin’ will come along.
Now, now, Frankie. I’ve always told you to think before spout off. Mind you manners, son.
Exclusive: State Newspaper has two Twitters, one up from yesterday
Most women I have dated had two twitties.
What The State meant by “exclusive” is that they were the first legitimate, credible media outlet to break the story.
It would be great if we have media venues with NO ideologies at play, so the straight, unvarnished truth could get out and the crooks and scamsters and abusers could be called out equally across party and ideological lines rather than so selectively — but I guess that’s just a fantasy.
If Fitts throws enough shit at the wall, something is bound to stick.