National vs. Local (but mostly op-ed today)

The impact of national events effects citizen directly. These seems like a noble reason to cover the broad issues. To capture the zeitgeist and be the first draft of history is exciting to read and, I would imagine, to write. Stirrings of the heart and intellect ignite from a Supreme Court decision or a nation election.

Meanwhile local news only raises a heartbeat when a murder or massive scandal erupts. But local politics have the deepest effects in our day to day life. What happens when you dial 911 or park in the wrong spot or send you children to school is governed locally. In other words, our voices are not diluted by the great masses. We are more empowered to change our own lives and others influence us the least.

But it seems like we shun our local responsibility. After all it is more exhilarating to wield power over others than to exert self-control. Perhaps this is to harsh of an opinion. Maybe we simply do not have resources to take on this job so we leave it to others. After all what do we know about the logistics of trash management and who wants to. As long as someone else does a decent job at it even better.

However, trash never comes up as an important issue, unless some screwed up. Education has always been like a major concern for American. Yet there is so little reporting on local education. Stories that provide useful information would help guide us through the monolithic edifice of education.

The editor's goal of this news project should be to provide a usable resource of information on local education. We, as the Fourth Estate, need to pool this information like any other governmental body possess their own information resources.

Considering I'm the "editor" of this project I will begin to gather some useful information. Also as the "editor", I want you, the "reporter" and member of the Fourth Estate to collect this information and add it to our "library." Just email it to us - lenspittsburgh@gmail.com- and I'll post it.

Opinions, stories and advice are also information so send anything. Besides this project is so large I can't possibly do all of it, unless someone pays me. (hint, hint) This would be my dream job but since it doesn't pay it's a passion. (By the way passion literally means "enduring pain and suffering.")