Ground Report

I found the Kingston Freeman (Wednesday, August 10, 2011) on the UCAT bus, in Phoenicia. Provincial newspapers have become stranger than ever — like minimalist collages. The "World" section (also known as "Section B") begins with the headline "London loads up on cops: Britain hopes show of force helps end violent riots," quickly moves on to "Civil War bullets found in tree: Workers find artifacts embedded in oak at Gettysburg National Military Park" (next to an ad for … the Daily Freeman itself!), then on to an obituary for Salvatore P. Ferraro ("A lifetime area resident he was employed for over 39 years at Lehigh Portland Cement Company"). Then a page of national financial reporting! Then "Clarity sought at town of Ulster intersection", above an ad for "UNRESOLVED THYROID" ("Are you confused and frustrated because your thyroid symptoms persist even though you medicate appropriately and have ‘normal’ test results?"). All that — and much more — in five thin pages!