A friend of mine has a highly successful business based in Chicago.  This talented entrepreneur was profiled in a newspaper for her incredible accomplishments.

The reporter offered an overview of the business and it's history.   Even some of the financial details of the firm were disclosed in the article.  In fact, it was revealed, via the owner, that the firm had $70 million in annual sales.

Later in the article, the reporter stated the firm was enjoying the success of $70 million in net income! 

So the sales and net income of the firm were both $70 million dollars.  The reporter's article continued to refer to the $70 million, throughout the article, as both the sales and net income for the firm.

Presumably the reporter had never taken a basic accounting or business course in school, but was comfortable reporting on the topic (badly).

However, the real shame is that the article presumably came under the scrutiny of a more highly educated editor, who found no error, as well.

It's a reflection, in a microcosm, of the challenge, we face, by relying on only a few media channels.  Reporters (and their editors) only too happy to report (often in a highly biased manner) on topics for which they have no education or background. 

Luckily, some viewers and readers have become more savvy.  My brother Jim mentioned a little "gem" he caught over the weekend. 

McCain and Obama have made individual trips to the flood damaged Midwest.  Also, President Bush made a trip to the region, as well.  CNN had their news box, at the bottom of the screen as they were reporting on the three individual visits.  The first box came up and read, "McCain, Bush visit flood region".  The second box read, "Obama visits flood victims".

Do you see what they did?  Although Bush and McCain visited separately, the liberal media wants to tie McCain to Bush to undermine his candidacy.  Hence, they separated their visit with only a comma and a space. 

Very savvy.....and very sad......