The world is still reeling from the markets crashing last year.

But that wasn't the only misfortune.

California is clogged up with hundreds of migrant farmers.

Victims not only of the falling markets, but of drought and famine that hasn't been seen in generations.

People say only alcohol has proven resistant to the economic downturn.

The huddled, defeated masses are still scraping whatever change they can to buy something

that lets them escape their pain for a little while. But journalism should be added to the list,

especially here in LA. The rise in crime has kept reporters hounding the streets just like always.

Hollywood always seems as bulletproof as Superman,

with new picture shows still being turned out almost monthly.

I guess motion pictures are a better escape for those who have held onto their moral compasses.

Newshounds chasing celebrities can still make a headline

as long as they get the latest photos of Cooper or Hepburn.

People still need access to the news,

and the price for a daily edition is still the cheapest way for them to see the state of the world.

They flip through the headlines,

looking for any sign of relief from the

constant deluge of hardship before flipping to the bear help-wanted ads. Misery loves company,

as someone a lot wiser than me once said, and with so much to go around, newspaper publishers

might as well be the same as liquor stores. Well, mostly.

With freelancing becoming increasingly the norm,

staff writing jobs are becoming a thing of the past.

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