Who's Editing at the Press Boner?

As previously noted here, there's always plenty of cringeworthy writing over at that local ad-supported rag, the Scotts Valley Press-Banner. Examples range from biased coverage, to self-indulgent inanities penned by the paper's owner*, to swine flu hysteria, and more.

This has never been more true, now that the former talent-deprived editorial staff of one has retired and a new crop of twenty-something embryos is itching to "make a difference."

Witness the below journalistic lapse, vividly described in the Letters page by reader Christina Wise of Boulder Creek:



What would possess fledgling journalist Michelle Camerlingo to insert such irrelevancies into an otherwise garden-variety puff-piece? Was it her sheer inexperience, or was this flatulence reference a coy attempt to be edgy?

And how could any self-respecting editor -- assuming any editing is in fact taking place -- let such tripe go to press?

As a publication wholly underwritten by its advertising revenue, the Press-Banner's first commitment to quality journalism may not be to its readers. But its advertisers should expect -- and demand -- better.

* That's what blogs are for!