On most Fridays we attempt to write something a bit more humorous, a bit more inspiring and positive - and today is no exception. First, though, we want to acknowledge a very important day.
For Jews, today is the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, colloquially known as the Jewish New Year. For Muslims, it's the end of the month of Ramadan, the holiday of Eid ul-Fitr, most commonly known as Eid. Both are celebrations that mark the end of an important period of time - and the beginning of a new period of time, one where we're supposed to forgive others their faults, and rejoice in our lives and the hope and positivity of new beginnings.
We had a moment like that this week, made even sweeter by the infuriating and frustrating miscommunication and actions of Mr. Terry Jones, and much of the media.
It was easy to see in the feeding frenzy of this past week's news coverage that way too much of the media today is too often looking for the ginned-up, overhyped controversy to boost their ratings, as we've pointed out many times before in our commentary.
As you know, our commentary is more than just the collective opinion of our staff. It's a thoroughly researched way to tie together many of the stories of the day, often to help add depth and understanding to a complex subject. We also hope you'll learn a few things and become a better media consumer and perhaps a better citizen. It's a media hybrid, what we do here... a bit of teaching, a bit of translating the universe, and a large helping of ethical journalism. It is communication at its core, with a goal of making you smile, and hopefully think.
When readers respond with thoughtful, reasoned debate, as we had happen this week, it lets us know we're doing our jobs properly, as members of the media and as your fellow citizens.
We don't expect responses from you, or even look for them, sometimes. We expect our work to stand on its own.
However, when our readers do respond from time to time, and then prove that - while they don't always agree with us - our work has helped move them from being common, unthinking, media consumers to wise citizens, engaged in critical thought, it makes much of what we do worthwhile (although, we're all partial to money as well).
Moments like that give us hope for the future.
What a way to celebrate holidays of renewal and new beginnings.
Shana Tova and Eid Mubarak.
Enjoy your weekend.
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