The San Francisco Chronicle must be shedding readers even faster than staff. Reportedly, it was losing $1 million a week before shedding 100 employees last May. In order to maintain circulation, the Chronicle is engaging in an extensive telemarketing campaign. For the last few weeks, I've been an unwilling target. I've been called almost daily by an incoherent newspaper peddler who greets me with the gruff demand, "Where do you live?" and offers either a six-week or six-month trial — the mumbling made it unclear. After the trial, the Chronicle is asking a measly $3/week for home delivery. Why not stop badgering me and drop the newspaper off at my door for free, like the Examiner? That seems easier.

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