Daily News letters

["LuJane at Eagle" <lujane@lataheagle.com>]

The LatahEagle publishes all local letters it receives... check it out.

>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Mike Curley <curley@CYPHER.TURBONET.COM>
> To: Linda Pall <lpall@moscow.com>
> Cc: <vision2020@moscow.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 1999 3:56 AM
> Subject: Re: Daily News letters
>
>
> > I would find it hard to believe, Linda, that there are so few local
> writers in
> > the summer that the DN is left with publishing letters like the one
Monday
> from
> > an enlightened Twin Falls resident suggesting that our school curriculum
> taught
> > the Columbine students to kill their classmates.  I welcome views from
> outside
> > the local community, but not at the expense of publishing local
opinions.
> The
> > "Letters to the Editor" space has looked suspiciously confined to the
same
> size
> > space each day, unlike earlier editions.
> >
> > Sorry to see your column go, you provided some unique insight into how
the
> > Moscow and Latah County governments plug into state and national
networks.
> As
> > long as you aren't commenting on issues that are before the council,
it's
> hard
> > to see a conflict.  As to election periods, you could certainly suspend
> your
> > column for a brief period if necessary, but perhaps one of the things
the
> > electorate would want to consider in electing its officials is what they
> do in
> > and for their communities and what their views are.  One could certainly
> argue
> > that it would be a DISADVANTAGE to the candidate if he or she HAD to
write
> a
> > few columns before running for office since the voters might more truly
> know
> > the candidates opinions.
> >
> > So, now you will just have to submit your thoughts in a letter to the
> editor
> > and see if it gets published in the dinky space currently being
allocated
> to
> > them.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Mike
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Date:          Tue, 13 Jul 1999 02:33:54 -0700
> > To:            "Mike Curley" <curley@CYPHER.TURBONET.COM>
> > From:          Linda Pall <lpall@moscow.com>
> > Subject:       Re: Daily News letters
> > Cc:            vision2020@moscow.com
> >
> > Dear Mike and Visionaries:
> >
> > About the letter writing: There is always a little fall off in the
summer
> of
> > letter writers to the editorial page of the Daily News. I would not
> > attribute it to the 300 word limit because that's been informally or
> > formally in place for some time.
> >
> > I assume Mike's reference to the expansion of editorial writers refers
to
> > the new and welcome policy of signing editorials.
> >
> > It is not yet the expansion of editorial page columnists but we can hope
> > this will soon happen.  I am not writing my Saturday column anymore
> because
> > the paper feels that it is a conflict of interest for a city council
> member
> > to write a regular column... the idea is that since the editorial
columns
> > will be supporting or opposing candidates in the future and certainly
> > policies in the interim, having a council member opining regularly looks
> too
> > cozy. Some will agree; others may wonder how my 'dog' columns fit into
> this.
> > (Some might wonder how the dog got through at all...)
> >
> > I could not believe last night's editorial page and the half page of
> > advertisements with the apology that technology got them.(I'm also
hoping
> > that the juxtaposition of the comics page and the editorial page will
soon
> > cease... surely there's enough opinion in this town to have an op-ed
page.
> > It's not the New York Times but things are looking up with Roger's thumb
> > print on the operation.
> >
> > This is a great opportunity for Vision 2020 people to offer themselves
for
> > columnist status. It is great fun and wonderful discipline to get 700
> words
> > that other people MIGHT like to read together on a regular basis.
> >
> > Mike, I would suggest you for this job but I have heard that you may be
> > looking to run for a council seat yourself this fall!
> >
> > And that reminds me of one OTHER thing: there is an election this fall
and
> > YOU are welcome to consider placing yourself in front of the voters for
> the
> > honor of representing perhaps the finest town in Idaho. Talk to me via
> > e-mail, phone or in person...it's a great job (most of the time).
> >
> > All the best to all of you,
> > Linda Pall
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > At 11:18 AM 7/13/99 +0000, you wrote:
> > >Has anyone else noticed the decline in the number of letters to the
> editor
> > >published in the Daily News lately?  Has the 300 word limit chilled
> > writers--or
> > >caused a lot of letters sent for publication to be excluded?
> > >
> > >Although there were many writers with whom I disagreed, I always
> applauded the
> > >DN's policy of attempting to publish all letters--or when crowded for
> space
> > >because of a significant issue, of publishing as many as possible.
> > >
> > >With the expansion of editorial writers and the decline of public
> letters, I
> > >know less what the community thinks and see the influence of the few
> > >editorialists increasing.  Increasing editorial opinions may be a good
> think
> > >ultimately, but I see decreasing the opportunities to take issue with
the
> > >editorials as a definite bad thing.  I only take the DN for local news.
> I'd
> > >rather see the international tidbits deleted in favor of more local
news
> and
> > >commentary.
> > >
> > >Since I understand Mr. Kendall is a v2020 member, perhaps he would
> consider
> > >your comments (and mine) in reviewing the policy on letters.
> > >
> > >Regards.
> > >
> > >Mike Curley
> > >
> > >
> >
>