After more than five years at the Tucson Citizen, I still feel like the new kid on the block.

Some of our core content creators – the “deciders” – have been here three decades or more, and their institutional memory and regional knowledge have served this community very well indeed.

You know that guy to my left here, the Micky Mouse afficionado of “Arizona Illustrated” fame.

Mark Kimble and I have kitty-corner offices behind the newsroom, where we call out questions and quips without leaving our seats.

We’ve entertained and irritated one another repeatedly, but he steadfastly has defended me against the savages, and our teamwork has been a blast.

Kimble has been a good boss. He’s been an even better journalist. He came to the Tucson Citizen 34 years ago, and we all know the Citizen wouldn’t have made it this far without his wit and wisdom.

This Little Afternoon Daily That Could likewise would have derailed long ago if not for two men working in relative obscurity.

Joel Rochon got here 36 years ago, and I’ve long regarded him as the real brains behind this operation. (If only Gannett would have listened!)

Joel is a brilliant and talented artist and designer, an expert with technology, a supplies and budgeting guru, a visionary about the newspaper business and a people person who wisely dispenses free chocolate with encouragement and support.

I love him to pieces.

Paul Schwalbach can put panache on the most pedantic prose. With two big words and a carefully chosen photo or two, he’ll put a full page into focus.

But that’s just the technical stuff. He’s also a highly sophisticated political and social observer and one of the funniest, warmest human beings with whom I’ve had the privilege to work. (Scarecrow, I think I’ll miss you most of all.)

These three astute editors are the unheralded infrastructure of the Tucson Citizen.

Thanks to them, I’ve been free to lambaste violent racists, skewer mean-spirited conservatives, cheer on the No More Deaths crowd, support and honor our veterans, promote the public school system that makes our democratic society possible, push for the election of President Obama and, in general, annoy a whole lot of nattering nabobs of negativism. (Sorry, Spiro.)

This puts the period on my 30-year career. Most of it was spent in Colorado and Florida, but I started at the Arizona Daily Wildcat, so it’s appropriate that it ends in Tucson, too.

I’ve enjoyed making a contribution here, but others have committed their entire professional lives to this paper. I salute them. And to all you faithful readers, thank you.

Send job offers to billiestanton@gmail.com.

‘Placing that illegal immigrant sympathizer as secretary of Homeland Security was scary enough, but the Supreme Court? God help us all!’ – Runnerboy

The story: President Obama’s potential Supreme Court justice choices include Janet Napolitano, former Arizona governor-turned-secretary of Homeland Security.

Your take: You must be joking! Most of our online commentators lambaste Napolitano, but a few fans weigh in on her behalf:

• “Will someone please wake me up from this nightmare? I can’t take too much more of this.” – Bubba

• “It doesn’t matter (whom) Obama recommends – it will be a leftist liberal who doesn’t believe in God, who stands for killing babies and will want to change the definition of marriage.” – Powersgrandma

• “I’m afraid, grandma, what is doomed is your evil philosophy of imperialism, racism, homophobia, sexism, oppression and death. Stick a fork in it!” – leftfield

• “This woman couldn’t even govern well, then was promoted to Homeland Security where she is performing even worse . . . and then Obama would consider her for the Supreme Court? When does all this bad judgment end?” – Aztxslady1

• “Judicial system does need Napolitano’s eloquence, poise, judgment, character, perseverance and, definitely, multicultural experience. She’s qualified. I predict she’ll be assigned to wear a judicial judge robe.” – Az Intelligence9377

MOST-VIEWED LOCAL NEWS STORIES

For Thursday, May 14

1 Cavalry soldiers exhumed here to be reburied in Sierra Vista.

2 The Bounce: UA dodges fallout over Floyd’s alleged cash for Mayo.

3 Obama considering Napolitano for Supreme Court.

‘They are learning the new economic model . . . hold more concerts to SPEND their way out of debt. Maybe . . . they’ll qualify for bailout money.’ – harley cleanslate

The story: The Last Smash Platinum Bash was a $1 million bust for the Associated Students of the University of Arizona, costing $1.4 million to stage but bringing in only $503,000.

Your take: ASUA’s plan was pathetic, mixing a hip-hop artist with a pop star during a recession and as students study for finals.

“Leave this sort of stuff to the pros and stop playing with other people’s money,” advises rhinox1. “I’ve been doing events for a decade and the first thing I ever tell anyone who wants to get into this business is, ‘How much can you afford to lose in one night?’ ”

As for bringing in hip-hop star Jay-Z, says 3807, “market was for college students, not mini wannabe gangbangers!”

Notes 2865, “Tucson is a small market and unless there is something staged that can get the entire town to show up, UA stadium is too big a venue.”

The musical mix was bad too, notes 520ozees. “Easily a few thousand more out here in Tucson chose not to go because of the ridiculous mix of genres. The Kanye West concert was a success, or at least broke even, because the lineup was consistent.”

And 2160 suggests the UA students aren’t learning much in college: “These are the leaders of the future? what a waste of time and money . . . !”

MOST-VIEWED LOCAL STORIES

For Wednesday, May 6

1 Wildcat blog: Getting No. 8 hoops player a possibility.

2 Phoenix-area mom helps bust Ecstasy ring.

3 Family of boy electrocuted at Reid Park to get $1.75 million from city.

Sure local photographer captures pretty images, but, she insists, ‘you have to feel something’

Our intrepid photographer snapped these wild horses huddling in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests near Pinedale.

Pamela Reed wrote a nice little guest opinion for us back in 2005, shortly after she and her husband moved here from Phoenix.

Then she asked me, “Do you ever have any photographer jobs at the Tucson Citizen? I’ve decided I want to break into photography.”

No. We never do. Our photographers love their editor, and they stay here forever. Sorry. No chance.

Privately, I rolled my eyes over yet another wide-eyed rube deciding to “break into photography.”

Good luck with that, I thought, likening her to those folks who “decide” to become best-selling novelists.

I got my comeuppance 18 months later, when I needed photographs of the wild horses in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests near Pinedale.

Call Pamela Reed, someone advised. She’s got the best ones.

Indeed. She agreed to fire ‘em over, no charge, to illustrate a column I was writing. But was she the very same Pamela Reed? She was.

Wow. So you did it, I noted. She immediately started in on an idea she’d hatched to reunite old pilots with their planes in the “Boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Black-and-white portraits with their biographies; what did I think?

Brilliant, I assured her. Let me know when you’ve done it and I might write something.

Five months later, picking up my mother at Tucson International Airport, I stumbled upon Reed’s collection of stunning silver gelatin prints.

The airport gallery exhibit was titled, “Days Gone By, the Aircraft of the Boneyard and the Pilots that Flew Them.”

It was breathtaking. My exhausted mother, who had been rerouted all over hell and back that day, insisted on scouring the entire exhibit.

Today, that unstoppable creative force known as Pamela Reed has segued into wedding photography, unexpectedly.

“It’s funny because I swore I would never do weddings,” she says.

But a co-worker kept insisting she wanted Reed to photograph her wedding.

“I did it, she loved it and I loved it.” Why? “The interactions between everyone. The moments.”

Reed – who has spent the past several years researching and shooting film, researching and shooting and then researching and shooting some more – loves portraiture, whether dogs, horses, pilots or brides.

“I’m interested in the journalistic style, but I also want to use fine art,” she says. “I want people to be beautiful. I can’t do the shallow. You have to get to know these people.

“When you look at the photograph, you’ve got to feel something. I’m not into just a pretty picture; you have to feel something.”

It would be difficult, if not impossible, to look at a Pamela Reed photograph without “feeling something.”

What I feel is inspiration. In an era of bailouts and tax cheats and scoundrels, Pamela Reed exemplifies what a person can accomplish with enough desire, determination, passion, high standards and work ethic.

“You have to follow your bliss,” she says.

In tough times like these, that’s a lesson to remember.

Reach Billie Stanton at 573-4664 or bstanton@tucsoncitizen.com.

This bridal portrait was taken in the lush Agua Caliente Park in the Tanque Verde Valley northeast of Tucson.

Pamela Reed

———

ON THE WEB

See more of Pamela Reed’s work at

www.pamelareedphotography.com.

‘It’s Grijalva and the 10 others who should be apologizing to the denizens of Arizona!’ – saladfork

The story: Local, state and federal politicians demand an apology from Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik for suggesting schools check students’ citizenship and for making statements about some local communities.

Your take: Stand firm, Sheriff! It’s high time someone stood up to the problem of illegal immigrants’ children in schools, say most of our online commentators.

albagubra: “It’s nice to see Dupnik give an opinion in which he actually shows he is thinking about the taxpaying citizens for a change.”

3425: “The fact that many hardworking Latinos are here legally doesn’t negate the high percentage of those here illegally who are responsible for much of the crime here.”

AgentRLL: “When are these liberal jerks going to apologize and do something about the 12 (million)-20 million illegal alien criminals that they support? The hypocrisy is really rank in these foul politicians.”

But CrisG says, “I never thought I’d live to see the day where Mexicans are persecuted by those that live in the country of the free. . . . Put yourself in someone else’s shoes for ONCE and stop blaming the world’s problems on Mexicans.”

1660 echoes: “Comments like (Dupnik’s) create distrust in law enforcement and power structures. When you classify a community and a big part of a community as illegal, people do take offense.”

Says az2007: “Why go after kids? I will soon have my first baby and I hope that she never encounters idiots like you all.”

MOST-VIEWED LOCAL NEWS STORIES

For Tuesday, May 5

1 Grijalva, others want apology from Dupnik for immigration comments.

2 Lenders ask to take Tucson Mall off bankruptcy table.

3 Man gets 14-year term for bat attack, victim’s permanent coma.

In a re-enactment of the Battle de Puebla on May 5, 1862, French troops are surrounded by Mexican calvary in Puebla. The historic battle is celebrated annually with a cast of 3,000 troops on the Cinco de Mayo, the day in which Mexico defeated the French army, only to be decimated the following day.

We Americans long have used Cinco de Mayo as an excuse for a party, even though Mexico celebrates its independence on Sept. 16.

Perhaps we prefer May 5 because our Independence Day is July 4. Or maybe it’s because spring is a great season for a celebration.

But whatever the reason, we actually do have good cause to celebrate the 1862 victory by about 4,000 Mexican soldiers against some 8,000 French fighters in Puebla, east of Mexico City.

Because the Mexicans outwitted and outfought the French, Napolean III lost any chance to support the Confederate Army with more supplies – and that may have helped bring the Civil War to an end a bit more quickly.

Margaritas, anyone?

‘As Americans start to die . . . what are YOU going to do? Are you going to stand up with some of us who have been fighting for years to close the border?’ – Roy Warden

The story: An 8-year-old Phoenix boy with Arizona’s first confirmed case of swine flu has recovered without hospitalization.

Your take: As always, some of our online commentators are infected with “blame the Mexicans” flu, but others are quick to counter them.

“Close the BORDERS and QUARANTINE ANYONE who is SICK! To HELL with being PC . . . ” urges Towken1.

sierrareal1 says sarcastically, “This virus came from ‘down ther’ in Mexico’! Ya’ jes’ know it gots t’be bad! Maybe even a cunspiracy! Run around like crazy, PANIC, PANIC! Git yer guns an’ shoot anythin’ that looks like a virus! It must be another plot to kill all the ‘Real’ Amuricans!”

“You can’t put a border on the air we breathe,” notes Makiska13.

azsd says, “Rumor has it the virus has been spreading like wildfire ever since the MinuteMen meeting.”

Carl123 asks, “Would someone please tell me what the (deal) is? Every year over 35,000 people die from the flu. What is different about this? If I am supposed to panic, I’d like to know why. I was supposed to panic over killer bees and that was a bust. I’m willing to wet my pants if necessary, but could someone tell me why?”

bugmenot offers: “Just wash yer freakin hands frequently and don’t pick your nose or put your dirty hands in your eyes, ears or mouth.”

MOST-VIEWED LOCAL STORIES

For Thursday, April 30

1 First case of swine flu reported in Arizona.

2 Phoenix guard Zane Johnson leaving UA program.

3 Texas QB returning home to play for Wildcats.

Finding just the right ingredients is recipe for cybersuccess

Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?

That’s the lesson this week, with U.S. newspaper readership down but visits to free online newspaper Web sites up.

Print readership fell by 7 percent in the six months that ended March 31, the Audit Bureau of Circulation reported Monday. But unique visitors to the top 10 newspaper Web sites increased by 16 percent over the past year, says Nielsen Online.

Indeed, online visits of any kind must be on the rise.

Content is exploding faster than swine flu headlines, as addiction to instantaneous information feeds has infected all but the diehard computer illiterates.

With Twitterers’ Tweets, Facebook and MySpace tidbits, blogs, online mainstream newspapers, iPhones and Blackberries for portability, the Huffington Post, Politico and other established Web sites, you can get everything you want – and there’s even a site named Alice’s Restaurant.

The question, of course, is how to find what you need, want and even what you’d want if you knew it were there.

We’re drowning in data, distracted by drivel. And despite lightning-speed high-tech developments, the one tool we need most already is way overdue.

We need a road map to lead us to the richest content for our individual needs, a giant sifter to separate the wheat from the chaff, a Disaggregator, if you will, that will alert us to disparities in quality and usefulness and save us inordinate time now spent scouring the Web.

Give me a table of contents. Please.

Print newspaper readers long have counted on a daily compendium of local information, from movie listings and restaurant reviews to court verdicts and political analysis.

But today, when that paper in the orange plastic sleeve is plopped on your doorstep, it’s already outdated.

While it was being printed, the world was moving on – and the latest developments are just a computer click away.

Granted, most of the paper still holds true – the movie listings, sports scores and such. But you could fall 24 hours behind on the news if you’re not checking by computer.

In the technological revolution, some form of journalism eventually will fill the void left by many dead and dying newspapers, including this one.

News will get reported, though who knows what accuracy or credulity those reports will carry.

But even if you find a trustworthy online purveyor of local news, folks in communities that have lost their newspapers will have to hunt high and low for everything else.

The one-stop packaging that newspapers provide hasn’t been replicated, despite the oceans of information rolling on the Web.

Many of us waste a lot of time sifting through what can only be characterized as crap.

We go at it with pitchforks, fighting our way to the marvels and wonders and mother lodes of useful data out there for the taking.

So the organization of online content into tidy silos, with clear labeling for our easy access, will be the next major improvement.

That may seem a herculean task, but it will happen.

I remember when the National Conference of Editorial Writers met in Seattle in 2000, and a bunch of Bill Gates’ underlings and other geeks met us for lunch in the Space Needle.

Soon, they promised, we would access the Internet without even plugging anything in. The signals would fly through the air, and we’d pick them up!

Sure we will, most of us thought then, nodding and smiling politely.

Today, many of us won’t even check into a hotel unless it has Wi-Fi. Starbucks coffee offers complimentary Wi-Fi to customers.

So we’ve got easy Internet access, and heaven knows we’ve got tons of content. Now all we need is that essential Disaggregator.

Seattle dudes, are you listening? Knowing the Seattle dudes, the project’s probably almost done.

Billie Stanton can be reached by e-mail at bstanton@tucsoncitizen.com or by phoning 573-4664.

‘Too bad Congress can’t be given this virus, given how much pork these swine are swilling about.’ – trodelpost

The story: The Obama administration announces an aggressive response to an outbreak of swine flu, with about 40 cases in the U.S.

Your take: The concern over swine flu is either overblown government and media hype, or it’s a great reason to finally close our border with Mexico once and for all – a predictable response from the Citizen’s online community, whatever the issue.

“Can anyone think of a better reason to close the borders and station U.S.A. troops on the southern border with orders to shoot on site/sight any illegal crossers?” asks KillerTarantula.

“Interesting idea, but I don’t believe it’s possible to shoot a virus,” responds 4002. “I know you didn’t mean shooting sick women and children – because you are not a terrorist. Right?”

“Viruses are already an equal opportunity entity. They know no borders or nationalities and they are coming for you. Get thee to the bunker!’ - leftfield

“Man I barely got over that bird flu, SARS, mad cow disease and West Nile virus. Oh wait, I didn’t get any of that stuff because the odds of catching any of those diseases is astronomical. Wash your hands people and relax.” - 1660

“We need troops to help out; I don’t want to see this disease coming to Tucson.” - Priscilla

Says LoonyLeft, “With wrong-way Napolitano, Arizona’s GAIN has become the nation’s LOSS.”

MOST-VIEWED LOCAL NEWS STORIES

For Monday, April 27

1 Cops’ efforts cutting crime rates, calls at apartment complexes.

2 “Angry” Britton vows he’ll lead Jags to Super Bowl.

3 Two arrested in Radio Shack theft; police continue to investigate.

A dove, among one for each of the 13 victims of the massacre at Columbine High School, is released Monday at the conclusion of a memorial service marking the 10th anniversary of the killings in unincorporated Jefferson County, Colo., just outside Littleton.

Just as baby boomers remember where we were when President Kennedy was assassinated, so do Coloradans know where they were during the Columbine High massacre 10 years ago Monday.

I was parked in front of a television with the late great Sue O’Brien, my boss at The Denver Post, tracking developments, choking back horror and collaborating on our editorial angle.

But my reporter friends were smack dab in the chaos, assigned to interview stricken students and shocked parents.

These heartsick reporters showed sensitivity and respect even while churning out coverage that won a Pulitzer Prize.

Some who reported on this tragedy intensively for the long haul had to be treated for post-traumatic stress disorder.

As their friend and former editor, I ached for them. And as a mother, I wept for the families of the slain students and teacher, for the wounded and even for the kids who got out alive but lost all innocence.

I had scant empathy, though, for the parents of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the teens who killed 12 students and a teacher, wounded 24 more and then killed themselves.

These parents should have known what was up with their kids, I suggested in a column April 30, 1999, just 10 days after the massacre.

After all, the killers had built 67 bombs over the course of a year, we were told. Eric had threatened to kill a student. Dylan had seemed depressed.

“Somewhere along the line,” I wrote, “the adults in the lives of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold decided not to look at reality.”

I regret those words.

When I wrote them, my child was not yet 4. Now she’s 13, and I’ve learned what a messy process parenting is.

A lot of good parents are starving for help, guidance, answers.

Parenting columns and books by doctors and pseudo doctors are hot sellers, as we scour the landscape for a simpler way, a more certain way, some assurance that we’re doing the best that can be done.

We’re not. We’re just doing the best we can.

And in the blinding glare of 20-20 hindsight, I believe Eric and Dylan’s parents were doing the best they could, too.

These poor people were victims as well. Their children also died.

But their terrible loss was compounded by the unimaginable horror, shame and guilt of knowing their sons had wrought the worst school tragedy yet.

Their very own boys. The sweet children they loved, I’m certain, as much as any of us love our own.

Yet in the emotional turmoil of that time, a governor, a sheriff, a Denver Post columnist and more rushed to judgment.

So we heaped a little more blame, shame and pain on four tortured souls whose lives had just been shattered beyond comprehension.

I’ll regret it till the day I die.

And wherever Wayne and Kathy Harris, and Tom and Susan Klebold are today, I hope they are finding some healing, some peace and much grace.

Reach Billie Stanton at bstanton@tucsoncitizen.com or 573-4664.

This April 20, 1999, file photo shows police pointing weapons at a Columbine High School building as students take cover and flee during a shooting rampage by two students in Jefferson County near Denver. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12 students and a teacher before taking their own lives in what remains the deadliest high school attack in U.S. history.

‘We are now an ugly mob looking for scapegoats . . . behaving like spoiled rotten adolescents. We think we can shoot anyone who gets in our path.’ rlhymer

The story: A gunman kills a Cave Creek man who was sitting in a photo-radar van, monitoring the cameras.

Your take: In a deeply troubling departure from reason, a few online commentators actually blame the victim for taking a photo-radar job.

“A man who lived by the radar gun in working for a despicable and extorting company like Redflex actually dies from the real bullets from a gun. What a sweet example of poetic justice!” Bondgirl says of Doug Georgianni, 51, who had worked three months for RedFlex Traffic Systems Inc.

“He should not have been greedy enough to take a job doing something so unpopular with the public and he would be alive,” says geezerman. “He got what he deserved for accepting the job. He was not forced to be there.”

Thankfully, most commentators were appalled by such talk:

• “The man needed to work in a depressed economy and you are saying he deserved to die because he worked for something unpopular. Horrible, just horrible.” - WPRWeb

• ” This kind of coldblooded killing can never be defended or justified.” - 4122

• “I can’t believe anybody would . . . say this was anything other than an absolute tragedy for the family of this man.” - rhead

• “I pray this man’s family is not reading this crap.” - I Won

MOST-VIEWED LOCAL NEWS STORIES

For Tuesday, April 21

1Two teens sentenced in $6 million arson on Northwest Side.

2 Anthony Gimino column: Cats have shot to extend NCAA streak to 26.

3 Supreme Court limits warrantless vehicle searches in Tucson case.

‘You can’t befriend a rabid dog without gettin’ bit when you least expect it. . . . Obama has shown the dictators we are not steely in our resolve.’ – SpdwSwanGuy

The story: President Obama went to Latin America on a “good will tour,” promising to listen as he works to improve relations between nations.

Your take: There’s little good will for Obama among our online commentators, who find his tone cowardly, not conciliatory:

“Nobama is using the same negotiating tactics as Carter,” says tucsonchris. “They failed then and will fail now. Showing weakness is not a good position for America. He’s indirectly encouraging more terrorist (Janet be damned) attacks and our military (possibly citizens) will pay dearly. What a fool!”

Agrees LoonyLeft, “It’s called ‘Neville Chamberlain Appeasement Diplomacy.’ It didn’t work with Hitler, and it won’t work work now.”

But azsd counters, “Those that think negotiating is a form of weakness are NOT patriotic! The benefits of unilaternal negotiations will enable USA to maintain its supremacy in everything we desire!”

” ‘The One’ is NOT negotiating,” retorts Towken1. “He is handing over the keys to the kingdom to our enemies.”

“So,” asks gdub, “how much improvement has our tough stance garnered in, say, Cuba? Did it stop 9/11? Or the initial attack on the WTC? We can always ball up our fists and refuse to talk. This does not get us very far!”

MOST-VIEWED LOCAL NEWS STORIES

For Monday, April 20

1 Readings show Four Corners marker off by 2.5 miles.

2 Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce more proactive.

3 Suspect in custody in fatal shooting of highway radar van operator.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency saluted environmental heroes Thursday, including two Tucsonans whose work well deserves the kudos.

Ann Marie Wolf, executive director of the Sonora Environmental Research Institute Inc., was given an award for reducing pollutants in the Tucson area and improving environmental health for us all.

Tucson City Councilman Rodney Glassman received an award for pushing through ordinances for rainwater harvesting and use of gray water.

At Wolf’s institute, an EPA grant has been used to address environmental health.

Her staff, with community members it trains, has done more than 2,000 home visits and 300 business visits.

They check older homes for lead and refer families to Tucson’s Lead Hazard Control Program, and they develop asthma action plans and help families identify and remove air toxins and other asthma triggers.

The Sonora group has overseen the removal of more than 129,000 pounds of solvents from auto-body shops, and it also visits nail and hair salons and print shops. And it’s now testing our air for beryllium and other metals.

But Wolf is quick to note that these undertakings are a team effort.

“We really have a lot of involvement from the community,” she says, “the University of Arizona Department of Atmospheric Sciences, the Tucson schools, the Amphitheater School District, the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality, the Tucson Fire Department, the state and county Health Departments.

“It’s truly a partnership.”

Glassman, who flew to San Francisco at his own expense for the EPA’s 11th annual Environmental Awards Ceremony, had vowed during his campaign to get water conservation measures enacted. And he did – both with 7-0 votes by the council.

The nation’s first Rainwater Harvesting Ordinance calls for rainwater capturing systems to be part of any new commercial building erected after June 1, 2010.

The Gray Water Ordinance requires that homes built after that date be plumbed for gray water irrigation systems – having a drain for sinks, showers, bathtubs and washing machines separate from drains for all other plumbing, to allow for installation of a gray water system.

An estimated 45 percent of our local water use goes for landscaping. By using gray water and rainwater for irrigation instead, Tucsonans soon will be saving untold quantities of drinking water.

The EPA lauded its award winners for “superb efforts to protect and preserve our air, water and land, and increase awareness of the environmental challenges we all face.”

We salute Wolf and Glassman, too. Thanks to their efforts, Tucsonans will breathe easier and drink better.

Reach Billie Stanton at bstanton@tucsoncitizen.com or 573-4664.

Rodney Glassman accepts an EPA award at a San Francisco ceremony.

Whether by Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Twitter or other technological means, most everybody is “social networking” their brains out these days.

We’re signing on enthusiastically not because we’re starved for more technology.

Rather, in a society that has grown more mobile and global, detached and fragmented, we crave community, and social networking hits the spot.

These are virtual communities, mind you, and don’t expect your Twitter buddies to give you a hug when you need one.

But this is community nonetheless, even if you never see your favorites’ faces or learn their real names.

“In and through community lies the salvation of the world,” author M. Scott Peck wrote in 1986 in “The Different Drum.”

If that’s true, then the world is well on its way to being saved.

At the Tucson Citizen, online commentators have formed such a vivid community that even casual readers know what to expect from Towken1 and leftfield, among others.

At news of the Citizen’s eventual closure, even some of our harshest critics lamented the loss of their virtual community on our Web site. They’ve found a haven here, and they’re loath to let it go.

We understand. Our newsroom is a community, too, and most of us will miss it when it disintegrates – just as most of us miss other neighborhoods and workplaces we have left behind.

But now comes technology, ever ready to fill that void – whether tapping into professional contacts through LinkedIn, chatting about pirates and Cuba on Facebook or merely swapping headlines and inane “going to Wal-Mart” bulletins via Twitter.

Social networking is a great way to conduct public relations and advertising, if done unobtrusively with deftness and decency.

It’s a terrific way to network with professional contacts as well.

And it’s an even better way to catch up with long-lost friends and quickly get a handle on where they are now.

A Facebook connection, for example, led me to get reacquainted with one of my favorite young reporters from yesteryear. She’s now a major network anchorwoman in Chicago.

I’d never have learned about that happy outcome if not for social networking.

I’ve reconnected with many, many more via LinkedIn, thanks to cousin Jennifer Miller who insisted I join that network.

Today, LinkedIn says, my 139 connections link me to more than 644,200 professionals.

Don’t be impressed. High- profile real estate networker Bill Austin of Phoenix has more than 8,700 connections. The number of professionals he’s linked to must be staggering.

Numbers don’t matter as much as consistency, though.

I recently quipped in a column that Twitter must be an incurable genetic disorder. Now I’ve begun to tentatively Tweet, too, so I’m just another twit.

My friend Becky and I used to brag about being anti-tech, able to operate nothing more complex than a toaster. We made Ted Kaczynski the Unabomber look like a high-tech dude.

Not anymore, not for me anyway. I always will prefer the feel of newsprint to the mouse and computer approach, the painting in a gallery to the artwork on a screen.

But nowadays, we can have it all – and we’d better, if we expect to keep up.

Fun chatting with you, but I’m off to a workshop on social networking. See you in cyberspace!

Reach Billie Stanton at 573-4664, bstanton@tucsoncitizen.com or billiestanton@gmail.com. Or tweet @billiemax.

———

Social networking

Facebook

MySpace

LinkedIn

Twitter

‘They don’t like us representing their flag wrongly. Boo Hoo! I guess they really don’t mind breaking our laws and stealing, raping and killing our people!’ – IDIDIT

The story: Mexicans express outrage over Burger King’s “Texican Whopper” TV commercial, which has a wrestler reminiscent of Jack Black in “Nacho Libre” but clad in a cape resembling the Mexican flag. (Watch it here)

Your take: How dare they demand respect for their flag while disrespecting ours? So asks the equally outraged Citizen online community:

• “I’m more concerned about the ‘insult’ of:

1. Mexico flooding the U.S. with drugs.

2. Mexico flooding the U.S. with their illegal ‘immigrants.’

3. Mexico insisting that my Second Amendment Rights be taken away.” – Jim M

• Quoting the article: “We have to tell these people that in Mexico we have a great deal of respect for our flag.” “Too bad you don’t have much respect for mine.” – Evansville

• “Would anyone care to bet that those who most loudly condemn Mexico for wanting their flag respected are those who most loudly insist that their flag be respected?

“Would anyone care to notice that those who display the most hostility to the Mexican government are the first to say that they aren’t racist and are only opposed to ‘illegals’?

“illegal, n. A term used by descendants of European immigrants to refer to descendants of Indigenous Americans.” – tiponeill

MOST-VIEWED LOCAL STORIES

For Tuesday, April 14

1 Solomon Hill committing to UA basketball team.

2 Corrections officer with mysterious gunshot wound resigns.

3 Mexico slams Burger King for “whopper” of insult.