Dear R:
You wrote:
> I regularly hear references made to individuals, usually in the govt, that
> currently hold a position of authority but are referred to by a title of
> an office or position they previously held. Colin Powell was refered to
> as General while he was the Sec of State, Secretary of Homeland Security
> Tom Ridge was addressed and referred to on the news as Governor. Bill
> Frist, the Majority Leader is called Doctor, as he is an MD. Why does the
> media do this? Do some titles carry weight than others? Shouldn’t people
> be referred to by their current assignment?
>
That is an editorial decision which will vary from paper to paper. The examples you gave are all examples of what are often considered permanent titles. Powell, as a legally retired general, keeps his title. Former presidents and governors (sometimes mayors) are normally referred to by their titles. (Case in point, the former governor of Connecticut served time in prison, but the Connecticut papers still called him Governor Rowland while he was incarcerated.) The same is true of the earned degree of Doctor as Dr. Frist.
Other papers (or networks or radio stations) may do it differently. Some papers, for example, call everyone “Mr.,” even presidents, unless they have a military rank or earned degree.
Practice also seems to show, as you pointed out, that some titles do seem to “carry more weight.” In the USA, I would include chief executives (presidents, governors, mayors), senators, military rank, and higher academic or religious titles (doctor, reverend, rabbi) as being “permanent” titles. Probably the greatest example from US history is William H. Taft, who was both a president and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Unless he is spoken of in the context of a court case, he is always “President Taft” rather than “Chief Justice Taft.”
After answering your first note, I read your second one. It was pretty much the same except that you noted that you had checked a number of grammar texts for guidance. This reflects editorial decisions of periodicals, publishers, and networks. Instead of a grammar book, try something like The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage, The Wall Street Journal Essential Guide, or The AP [Associated Press] Stylebook. They would probably give an explanation of their practices.