For all the buzz and anxiety around today’s blogs and advocacy journalism, there are few things more uplifting than to open the morning newspaper and see a screaming headline from a real deal media investigation.

Today’s Seattle Times expose by Michael J. Berens, “Seniors for Sale: How the aged and frail are exploited in Washington’s adult family homes,” is the sort of bold investigative journalism we need in our city, state and nation. I have no more data to judge this story than what I’ve read today. But I appreciate the story’s approach and the extraordinary time and money investment the newspaper committed to this topic. And I am repulsed at the conclusions including the lack of state government oversight.

Last year the Legislature passed a B&O tax credit for the newspaper industry as the Seattle PI crashed and the Seattle Times staggered under the weight of a changing market. Many criticized the tax credit as hypocritical since the Seattle Times editorial board frequently weighs in against state spending. Yet, I stood on the House floor and spoke out fervently in favor of the tax break not because it was a gift to the Times but because our city and state faced the prospect of losing both daily newspapers of record.

Like so many others, I stand with Thomas Jefferson in a passionate belief that a free, aggressive, open and bold press is part of the spiritual core of our Democracy.

“Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without government, I should not hesitate for a moment to prefer the latter.” Thomas Jefferson quote (that also graced the walls of the Seattle PI offices).

Many argue that the Seattle Times is more conservative than the people it serves. Many argue the editorial board is hypocritical in calling for less government spending, less taxes, less regulation but higher quality and more robust public services. It is not difficult to argue either side of this case. I miss the Seattle PI’s printed edition not only because of the editorial diversity, but because of the fierce conviction of purpose the paper brought to investigative journalism in Seattle.

Today, I would not hesitate to read a thousand editorials criticizing the city, county, state or federal government from the Seattle Times so long as I can read one good, solid, genuine, meaningful and passionate investigative report–like today’s piece by Berens–as a part of the deal.

Your partner in service,

Reuven.