PERCEPTION LAGS REALITY AT THE NEWS

Jacquielynn FLoyd this morning runs emails from readers on how Dallas has become “ungovernable.” I, too, think Dallas would be better off without 14-1 and I, too, supported the strong-mayor proposition. But “ungovernable?” Reminds me of the Jimmy Carter era when pundits decided the presidency in these complex times had become “unmanageable.” Then Ronald Reagan was elected–and changed the world while taking afternoon naps. The city ran well under Ron Kirk, and it is running well now, perhaps better than it has in 20 years, under city manager Mary Suhm backed by a fairly united City Council. This despite a sometimes-brilliant-sometimes-utterly-dysfunctional mayor. The News needs to catch up. Good news may not be much fun, but sometimes even a columnist like Jackie Floyd could try her hand at actual reporting.