Allan Classen, editor and publisher of the NW Examiner, writes an interesting editorial in this month’s issue. Classen loves bloggers:

There’s a war over the future of news in our society, and “my” side appears to be losing. People are turning increasingly to amateur blogs instead of relying on their daily papers or broadcasts, where the news is written by professional journalists. Odd as it may sound, my heart is with the news bloggers.

It’s not odd at all, Allan. You’ve seen the future. Congratulations!

While most of the conventional news stories I see serve only to spark speculation about what’s happening between the lines, some local bloggers are steps ahead: pursuing angles I haven’t even thought about. And no matter what a blogger writes, there are sure to be many respondents who say he’s completely wrong. By the time you’ve read a story and a few reactions, you have a good picture of the issue and its context.

Crikey. It’s like the guy just bought a computer or something. This is probably all written about Jack Bogdanski’s rantings, but hey: Even sex with someone bad looking is still sex, right?! I mean, technologically speaking…

The enemy of knowledge is not opinion; what often defeats our ability to understand our world is rather the neutering of news in the attempt to sound balanced…professional journalists who refuse to pursue off-center questions are useless.

YES! Then he has a go at the Oregonian. Good for him. Anyway, I thought all this was Classen’s prelude to announcing his paper’s entry into the blogosphere! But it turns out, this is their website. For shame. Unless I’m missing something, it looks like you still need encouragement to get on the blog train, Allan! That’s how you’ll really shift those ad sales, and whip up some anti-Linnton-biofuel-plant-sentiment momentum, while you’re at it. So, Allan, if you need someone to show you how the whole blog thing works, I’ll happily consult to you on the side, (JUST KIDDING, STEVE!) for a mere $100 an hour. (NOT REALLY, ALLAN). Actually make that $200 an hour. You’re wearing a nice suit in your byline shot so I reckon you can afford it. Just kidding. But not really. No, really. I’m just kidding. I’ve got loads of money. I don’t need any more. Look. Just forget I mentioned it, okay?

My number’s in the book.