That's because the "5 W's and an H" are no longer taught in journalism school. AP and modified AP leads are used. Instead news focuses on "feel good" stories and stories about people and events most of us couldn't care less about.

I don't care about Weiner's weiner, except insofar as it highlights another danmedfool in Congress who ought to wear his pants backwards. Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Lady Gaga, Tom Cruise, Kaylee somebody, and the rest whose names I see in the papers at the checkout stands I've never met and likely never will -- so ask me if I give a rat's patootie about them. Some actors and actresses -- such as Henry Winkler -- I do care about because they ARE well-trained and good theater people.

But I do care, deeply, about people made homeless by tornadoes and floods and what we as Americans (and human beings) are doing for them. I care about the kid who right now is cutting my lawn because some day he's going to be in charge and I hope he can get the information he needs to make cogent, reasonable, decisions.

If the news media is dying it's because of suicide.