Their “strong news blog” is actually a liability for the print issue — much of their content (both news and columns) is not only also available online, but appeared earlier on the blog in one form or another, so I’ve already read it. Similarly, while I agree the selections from the comment threads are a clever substitute for Letters to the Editor, I’ve often already read them online and don’t feel the need to repeat the experience.

Having watched their columns shrink and shrink and ad space grow and grow over the years, surely their short column format (“tight writing, gets the reader in and out”) is driven by economic necessity and not by design choice? I can’t be the only reader who would prefer a sea of text (i.e., unique content) to a sea of ads (however well designed).