You know, as a side note, writing for an LGBTQ newspaper (the LA Blade) really opened up my eyes to how journalism can often be weak and not very informative, sometimes even intentionally misleading.

I've often called up public affairs officials for comments on breaking stories only to have them offer up almost content-free "statements" designed to say little or nothing actually, but to give the impression that they're saying something that isn't really true.

I guess it's an art form.

But I will not simply print their statements because they want me to. Several times, I've told PA officials that they're going to have to do better than that if they want me to print something. They act shocked, like I'm not doing my job properly by printing whatever they tell me to print.

I remember an official with the Miami-Dade County Board of Education who seemed just mortified and appalled that I wouldn't play by the rules of the game.

He was angry that I refuse to print his statement unless he gave me more real information.

Tough.

Media needs to do a better job reporting the news.