The Oregonian is our local wrap here in Portland, and every day one can see it dying a slow, not so sad death.  You can tell by the headlines, which are relevant to no one.  This morning, for example, the banner...well, everything above the fold...is the release of a new Grand Theft Auto video game.

This is news in a local paper?  There are a million people in Portland and the surrounding area, and The Oregonian could find nothing interesting to write about?  Yesterday the headline was about the Pittsburgh Steelers, or the NFL draft, or something pointless outside Oregon.  Here in Portland, where there is no football team, where a football team isn't wanted, and where sports is the last thing on almost everyone's mind, the banner is given to the NFL.  Nothing new here.  Every morning brings news of some sports feat, but with the new GTA, they no longer hide the fact that they simply publish whatever press releases are sent their way as news.  This is the noble profession of journalism.

The sports news everyday on the front page is the most aggravating.  Those who read this blog know I'm a sports fan, but sports belongs on the back page; it's a pastime, not news.  The Oregonian seems satisfied to print the most pointless sports, even to sports fans, on the front page.  Brandon Roy, for instance, scored some points in the NBA All-Star game and was celebrated with a banner.  Why is this special?  He could have twirled a triple double and I'm not sure it would be front page news.

Another indicator of hard times is a willingness to give the paper away.  I saw someone at the transit center last week giving away "three weeks free."  I didn't know time wasn't free, but I think what they meant was three weeks of The Oregonian for free.  He seemed puzzled when I wasn't interested.

Last Sunday I was at an event at the Expo center.  The Oregonian had a table and was selling delivery for 25% off, or something like that.  Again I said no.  The sales rep asked me why I didn't want the paper, and I asked her if she reads it.  Her uncomfortable laugh seemed to tell me she, and perhaps other employees, know the paper sucks.

It'll be gone soon.  Not that it will stop publication, but it's certainly waning in relevance, and what future is there for a paper that thinks a new video game is the most important news to citizens of Portland?