The Virginian Pilot’s Energy Policy Just Got a Test, and People are Dying.

The Virginian ^ | 7/3/2012 | Moneyrunner

[moneyrunner]

The Virginian Pilot, my local paper has receives national attention recently. Its editor decided that a black mob attacking a pair of his reporters was not news. When the story finally surfaced, the Pilot’s editorial judgment was … questioned … exposed … revealed for the sorry mix of bad judgment mixed with political correctness for which the paper is notorious. As you may have heard, the Mid-Atlantic area has been hit by some pretty strong wind and thunderstorms recently which left millions without power and dozens dead. Meanwhile summer temperatures between 90 and 100 degrees are forcing people from their homes and are leading to more death among the old and infirm.

This did not have to happen. Oh, the storm and storms like it can’t be helped. But what this storm proves is that modern life is totally dependent of our technological infrastructure, and infrastructure that the opinion shapers at the Virginian Pilot has been working tirelessly to degrade.

Power companies have been working for years to upgrade the power grid, increase power production and develop low cost reliable new power plants. And each one has been met by fierce resistance from the Virginian Pilot. A new coal fired plant has been met with gleeful predictions of environmental doom from the Pilot. When a proposal to mine uranium for nuclear power plants was proposed, the Pilot quoted an opponent as saying that

[moneyrunner]

The Virginian Pilot is also vehemently opposed to oil exploration in Virginia. Reacting to a proposal to drill off the coast, the editors opined:

“Rather than drilling, it’s far wiser to redirect our nation’s long-term energy plan to scenarios that don’t involve massive loss of marine life, seafood industry jobs and tourism dollars”
... always predicting environmental devastation as the inevitable result of offshore oil exploration.

So when the Virginian Pilot is not opposing building new power plant using proven technology, what is it proposing? Wind farms and solar power, with not a whisper about the spectacular failures of Solyndra and the “green energy” experiment in Spain that helped bankrupt that country.

[moneyrunner]

You will find cheerleading for all kinds of exotic replacements for coal, oil and nuclear energy. But there is rarely a hint that the alternatives will not only be less reliable, impractical or be as realistic as powering our economy with unicorn farts. The issue of cost, if it’s mentioned at all, is dismissed as “slightly higher” but always, always more than offset by thousands - if not millions - of people not dying due to the elimination of those awful, really bad, seriously dirty fossil fuels… (unless they are killed off by excessive heat because they could not afford to run their air conditioners).

[wagglebee]

I learned everything I needed to know about the Pilot a decade ago when they published their original front page commemorating the Wright Brothers centenary.

(Pay attention to the top right hand corner: "True to the Democratic Party...In Victory or Defeat")

[fieldmarshaldj]

Just like 99% of all newspapers and media outlets today.

[The Antiyuppie]

“Just like 99% of all newspapers and media outlets today.”

...but in those glorious days, they were honest and open about it.

[OldNavyVet]

Looks like the Pilot is on it's last legs, as many newspapers are today -- thanks mainly to the internet.

My first job, at twleve years old, was delivering the Virginian Pilot.

[petitfour]

Wow

[rockrr]

...but in those glorious days, they were honest and open about it.

In my state (Washington) the Seattle area had two papers - one that catered to the left and one that catered to the right. As with many things, changes came when the owners sold the right-leaning paper. And with the new ownership came a stealthy shift to the left. Within six or seven years the two papers were virtually indistinguishable and the right had lost its voice in the region.

[matginzac]

The Pilot is consistently, reliably, unapologetically lib with a cartoonist that is certifiable...real bird cage liner material.
We get it for the coupons and crosswords on Sunday..and have to pay for the whole week. We used to get the Daily de-Pressed but cancelled because it too was way lib.
The Wall Street Journal is our fave for so many reasons..the most recent being the editorial staff did not buy the oh Roberts is just being clever argument.

[wolfman23601]

Daily Depress has shifted right... even endorses republicans now for the most part.

[Don@VB]

My former paper as well. Had to cancel for same reasons after 40 years.

[Joe 6-pack]

Ergo the moniker, “Virginian Pile It”.

[matginzac]

I don’t believe it for a minute...
As long as they print the inane, incomprehensible thoughts of Tamara Dietrich, they are off the intelligence reservation.

[matginzac]

Happy to have a comrade-in-arms...
Someone else just told me that DD has gone right lately, even endorsing Pubbies...
Hog wash...they still print Tamara Dietrich....hideous woman.

[wolfman23601]

I was referring more to the editorial page. Yes, obviously Dietrich’s column is loony. I really just get it for the crossword, the local ODU and high school sports coverage (which is actually pretty good), and the apolitical news like where last night’s murder occurred and the Pilot doesn’t cover the Peninsula much.

[matginzac]

Oh, I see your point. Actually, my hub liked their sports page also. But I really have a hard time believing the editorial staff has swung right...
But I would believe they’ve seen their sales numbers, lack of advertising bought and hence the pamphlet sized paper with 65% ads and got the idea that we had had enough.