SPOOF: 'Journalistic sewage' on front page

The article — albeit an April Fools’ joke — on Monday’s font page of The Press announcing 3,000 new jobs for Coeur d’Alene has to be one of the most cruel and insensitive pieces of journalistic garbage I’ve had the displeasure of reading. While intended to be humorous, it rose only to the level of journalistic sewage — on a par with the scurrilous content so often found in supermarket tabloids like the Star and National Enquirer.

In a state where, and at a time when, we continue to suffer unacceptable levels of unemployment and underemployment, your “joke” can only be viewed as a slap in the face to those who truly need paychecks to support themselves and their families. Take a look at the statistics behind our university graduates and how many of them have to leave Idaho because there aren’t jobs that will support them. Perhaps your news organization should survey and interview these individuals who need good-paying jobs and uncover how they feel about your April Fools’ joke. Or better yet, talk with Steve Griffitts, president of Jobs Plus and the Economic Development Corporation, and get his take on your “joke.”

The Idaho Department of Education is currently running an advertising campaign using the tag line “Don’t Fail Idaho.” In the “Jobs” article, you, sir, and your newspaper, have tarnished the image of and failed North Idaho miserably. I think a retraction and an apology are in order.

GARY STRONG

Post Falls