What is the most insightful, thought provoking, rational story by a journalist that you have read this month?

Question

Please eliminate any story that is slanted to produce readership by emotional response as its sole purpose ( selling print and making money, fame, etc by provocative emotional title and/or content ). I would like to see some real rational journalism.

If you would be so kind as to include a reference, preferably a link, I would like to read it. Thanks.

Answer 1

This month I haven't.

Answer 2

The Washington Post is running an interesting series on what it means to be a black man. As a white female I find this interesting and strange at the same time (does this topic deserve a series in a major national paper, will they do a series on what it means to be a white man/Hispanic man/Asian man etc). But the series does raise some interesting points and it's a chance to view things from a different perspective.
On a much smaller note, in the town where I live they are having an issue with three teachers and a principal were accused of cheating on child assessment tests. Now it is starting to look that the superintendent (who has since left town) acted out of turn and the teachers and principal were not doing anything wrong. And instead of investigating the issue the superintendent suspended the 4 school employees...it's been a mess and is still in the process of finding a solution, but it has been interesting to watch everything pan out so far.

Answer 3

I am absolutely rabid on the subject of Avian Flu. Old H5N1 is my worst nightmare so I check the CDC and WHO websites regularly and feel pretty well informed. I was at the doctor's office with a friend a few weeks ago and got to reading the January 2006 issue of Smithsonian Magazine which featured a profile of the world's only true Avian Flu expert, the only person in the world who studies the bird-human influenza interface. The article described his work from 1997 (who knew???) to present and the difficulty he has had in getting people here to take this threat seriously. Well, anyway, he is a fabulous subject and to me the whole article had the aura of one of those...AND THEN....AND THEN...AND THEN horror stories teenagers tell each other. All I needed was an old-time theater organ pounding chords in the background. The piece is very well written and, as I have already said, exceptionally well paced. I recommend it to you. It will rekindle your faith in your fellow man, that's for sure. It will also make you feel as if you are on the inside of the problem with the rest of the good guys.The kicker is that, the "Flu Hunter, Robert Webster's real job is as a researcher at St Jude's in Memphis helping kids with catastrophic diseases, while Michael Rosenwald is the business writer for the Washington Post. They both feel apprehensive about H5N1 and they're doing something about it. Activism at its best! Let me assure you that this article is as rational as a traffic cop on a rainy morning and equally gloomy. I sincerely hope it inspires you.

Answer 4

As Workers' Pensions Wither, Those for Executives Flourish -- an article cowritten by Ellen E. Shultz and Theo Francis, published in Wallstreet Journal, 6/23/06. I believe it's page 1.....Now this is something that virtually flew uner the radar in the mainstream media...

Answer 5

A story from a British paper saying that the US soccer team does more for the world diplomacy of the US than George Bush

Answer 6

Vanity Fair, June issue (Anderson Cooper cover)

A fascinating article, complete with pictures on Dubai. Well written and covers a short history, current development both private and public, and American interests.

Written by Nick Tosches, it's quite long but more substance than sound bite.

Answer 7

http://www.toxiclegacy.com/

Answer 8

yea right, good luck