Ask the Qualmbudsman, Again

By: Dave Astor Things are always happening in the newspaper biz, so, by popular demand, we're back with a second installment of "Ask the Qualmbudsman."

Dear Qualmbudsman:
The Saint Paul Pioneer Press did not publish letters to the editor it received criticizing the suspension of staffers who attended a pro-Kerry concert. What does Bruce Springsteen think of that?
? Letters Weren't Born to Run

Dear Letters:
The Boss prefers E Street Band to E-mail Banned.

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Dear Qualmbudsman:
What do you think of Dave Barry taking an indefinite leave of absence from his newspaper column?
? Miami Humor Machine

Dear Miami:
"Indefinite Leave of Absence" would be a great name for a rock band. Though not as good as "The B-527s."

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Dear Qualmbudsman:
I stopped reading the comics because they're printed too small. When will I laugh again?
? Tooned Out

Dear Tooned:
The next time Bill O'Reilly writes about morality in his syndicated column.

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Dear Qualmbudsman:
Please comment on The Wall Street Journal "correction" saying one of its stories wrongly called Fox News "sympathetic to the Bush cause."
? Bitter Ailes

Dear Bitter:
The Journal's next "correction": Newspaper circulation is actually soaring.

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Dear Qualmbudsman:
Film critic Roger Ebert just gave Conrad Black a thumb's-down review. Did Black make a movie?
? Rhea Vue

Dear Rhea:
Yes. It's called "All My Sums."

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Dear Qualmbudsman:
Should the Boston Herald have run a front-page photo of the journalism student killed by a police projectile during that Red Sox victory celebration?
? Tab Lloyd

Dear Tab:
No. People saw enough blood on Curt Schilling's ankle.

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Dear Qualmbudsman:
Do you agree with the wishy-washy decision of some papers not to endorse either George W. Bush or John Kerry?
? Chad from Florida

Dear Chad:
Yes. No. Maybe. Whatever.

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Dear Qualmbudsman:
When reporters get a rare chance to talk with Bush on Air Force One, why don't they ask about that bulge on his back?
? Thinking Inside the Box

Dear Thinking:
The reporters don't want to lose access if Bush ever holds another press conference.

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Dear Qualmbudsman:
If Bush wins the election, do you think he'll continue to not peruse newspapers?
? Black, White, Unread All Over

Dear Black:
Bush might reconsider if the Sinclair Broadcast Group buys a few dailies.

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Dear Qualmbudsman:
Speaking of TV and newspapers, is convergence a good thing?
? Multimedia Mania

Dear Multi:
Yes. People like to use newspaper TV listings to see what's on the tube.

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Dear Qualmbudsman:
TV gives as much as it takes! Isn't "The Daily Show" about daily newspapers?
? Kay Bull

Dear Kay:
Yes. And "Meet the Press" profiles newspaper printing plants.