Is this business news?

That’s what the Cleveland Leader wants to know. It doesn’t think that a story on the front page of the Plain Dealer’s business section Thursday about two local Internet sites merging was newsworthy.

The item stated, “Today, on the front of the Plain Dealer’s Business section was a story that hardly deserved mention, let along front page coverage. It was a short blurb about the merger between two of Cleveland’s most over-rated websites: Cool Cleveland and Brewed Fresh Daily. This is supposed to be representative of Cleveland business? If this is so, then Cleveland is truly in a very sad state of affairs. Isn’t there any REAL Cleveland business news to report? Next thing we know, the Plain Dealer will be discussing blogroll exchanges on these websites.

“Organizations such as these are what make Cleveland the armpit that it is. Cleveland has the potential to be great, but instead we allow sham operations to set up camp in our city, siphoning away funds for ridiculous ventures and ill-fated marketing ploys. We allow such a pathetic excuse of a newspaper to continue to wield its power and influence over local affairs, and we continue to foster the buddy-system that takes from the many and benefits the few.

“I realize that these are some bold accusations, but I’ve been biting my tongue long enough. It needs to be said.”

Read here.