On the plus side, the News and Observer has launched a blog site. Looks to be something to keep an eye on.

I’m hoping we can use the site to get the background on the stories – stuff the paper may feel to stodgy to share in print. Stay tuned!

This week, the country found out the identity of the most famous anonymous (a contradiction in terms) source in journalism: Deep Throat. This source – Mark Felt – helped bring down a corrupt Nixon administration, proving that no one – not even the President – is above the law. At least some Presidents, anyway.

Also this week, the News and Observer‘s crack investigative journalists helped sound the alarm about the dangers of … big trucks. Yep, some of those trucks might be a teensy bit overweight. Stop the presses!

Am I the only one who finds this series a yawner? I know our highways – particularly the interstates – are in bad shape, but does this really qualify as front page news? Its about as exciting as a zoning board meeting.

What’s amusing is the way the N&O has been flogging this series, trying to make something of it. An editorial prodded the governor, saying Does Easley Care? Yeah, I’m sure his phone is ringing off the hook on this issue. The better question is, does anyone care? A lot of his constituents earn a living driving those trucks, because for them driving a truck is a pretty good job. Besides, have you ever known anyone to passionately defend a highway? It’s a freaking slab of concrete, for crying out loud! I think this might be the one issue that hippy tree huggers and jackbooted thugs alike can agree upon.

If only the series had emphasized the threat to “the children,” it might have more impact. “Those heavy, criminal trucks are destroying the stop-and-go-traffic experience of future generations. Who will act for the children?”

Phooey, I say. Get it over with, N&O, and give me more stories on the pervert of the day.