Well, as some of you may be aware, I have parted ways with Lexington's Nougat Magazine, for whom I wrote a full page media criticism column in every issue the past 14 months. The publisher's new policy of banning discussion of religion, gay rights and women's rights because they are "controversial" was a little too much for me to take (and this is a self-described Arts/alternative magazine). After I challenged the no gay rights policy (which would be "profanity", in the words of the publisher) with my Holsinger column (which she refused to run), my decision to leave was very easy.
Foreseeing this turn of events, I fortunately lined up a gig writing at W Weekly here in Lexington. W used to really suck, but they've dramatically improved in the last 6 months and there's some genuinely good stuff in there these days. W decided to run my Holsinger column that Nougat censored, and has offered me a regular spot in each issue, if I so desire. And the word on the street is that they actually give you a few bucks for your work, which is kinda considerate. (Nougat never paid me one red penny).
Anyway, my article on Karl Rove's destruction of the Republican Party for a generation to come was published in this week's issue, with a zesty inside cover page 2 spot.
And I'm quite happy to announce that my review of the Yearly Kos Convention will be the cover story for the new issue that hits stands tomorrow. The people at W have been great (Robbie Clark is the kind of editor that you want), and this whole situation has turned out to work for the best.
Writing a monthly column was frustrating sometimes, as I had to choose just one topic for the month, which was always difficult (yes, the media spreads A LOT of lies, it's impossible to cover a month's worth in one column). Also, it was difficult to write about topics that were very current, as I had to finish my column in the middle of the previous month, meaning that people sometimes read my column a month and a half after I had written it. And while I loved the whole "Media Czech" format, it was a bit constraining, as I wasn't able to branch out into other subjects besides misinformation in the media.
But the old "Media Czech" idea isn't dead, as I plan to break out the old MC occasionally to highlight some egregious MSM lies. Plus, the Media Czech name, which is in parts clever, stupid, corny and sappy, is simply too good to abandon.
And would like to thank the people at Nougat (besides Miki) that were very supportive of me for the past year +, especially the recently departed editor Jennie Leavell. Jennie was the person who accepted my pitch for the Media Czech column, and she was very appreciative of my work the entire time. This column has meant so much to me, as it helped me focus some positive energy in a really difficult time for me personally, and it has managed to open a bunch of doors for me as well. Without this column, it is doubtful that I would have taken over the reigns at BlueGrassRoots when Ben took his LOA. Which means that I wouldn't have had the great experience of working with the Ditch Mitch crew (and being able to meet Jim Pence, a true KY legend). I have also been able to meet/talk with a number of individuals whom I greatly admire (Elizabeth Edwards, Tom McMahon, Sam Seder, Cliff Schecter, Mark Boehlert, Barack Obama???), that I never would have had the opportunity to otherwise.
This was all possible because Jennie Leavell decided to run my column, and I will be eternally grateful to her. (I also thank Lo and Saraya for helping out as well).
Anyway, I'm happy to be writing every week for an audience that mostly includes UK students, as they will play a key role in our politics in the coming year with some big '08 races.
So check out the W Weekly tomorrow or the coming week for my cover story, and keep checking in regularly for my column.
(And buy from their advertisers!!! We must support indie media that doesn't avoid "controversy" like other Lexington magazines)
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