[Vision2020] Daily News Cancellation Letter

[Saundra Lund]

In part, Joe Campbell wrote:
"3/ White does not put forth preachy, pseudo-philosophical views about the
nature of morality but Iverson does. White is qualified to write her column
since she makes a living as a writer. What is the basis for Iverson's
position? How is he qualified to wax philosophical? In short, White does not
overstep her bounds or area of expertise; Iverson does.

(Admittedly, this is my own pet peeve. Iverson bugs me to no end in part
because I make a living as a philosopher and I enjoy reading the op/ed page
in my leisure. To find, each weekend, someone making philosophical mistakes
that most of my freshman students won't make is more unsettling to me than
it might be to others. But, for those of you with another vocation, I ask
you: How would you feel if they grabbed some guy off the street and asked
him to express his opinions about topics to which you have devoted your
life's work? And no, I am not saying that only academics get to wax
philosophical. But if you're going to give out a WEEKLY column to someone
who intends to wax philosophical, why not give it to an actual
philosopher?)"

Precisely.  I don't make my living as a philosopher, but that's what I
studied in college, and I happen to know quite a few local folks who could
-- unlike Iverson -- do a *decent* job, *regardless* of their views.  And,
no, my complaint doesn't relate to his "positions" -- I always enjoy a
*good* philosophical debate -- but rather to the pathetic philosophical
mistakes he makes.  In short, he gives philosophy a bad name.

It will come as no surprise to some, but I've also cancelled my subscription
after being a subscriber for nearly 17 years:  not because of Iverson, but
that *was* the straw that broke the camel's back.   I'm subjected to FOX
News nightly in this house <gag> (my dh views subjecting me to it a part of
his professional responsibility as a political scientist), so my annoyance
at Iverson pales in comparison, but I think the selection of Iverson is a
symptom of a direction the Daily News has taken that I don't wish to follow.

Some of my complaints have been mentioned by others.  The Daily News didn't
bother to cover the P&Z meeting where two commissioners -- in the
performance of their volunteer duties -- behaved in a shameful, IMHO, manner
to three members of the public.  I think the Daily News missed the story
there, which I suppose happens in the news industry sometimes.  But, then to
read Raquet's editorial condemning the behavior of some at a subsequent
meeting HE DIDN'T ATTEND was offensive, out of line, and missed the mark.  A
reasonable editorial, IMHO, would have been how the behavior of those two
commissioners at a previous meeting set an example that lead to what Raquet
thinks was unacceptable behavior at the meeting in question.  Of course,
were I writing the editorial, I'd have taken it a step further and posited
that the name-calling, personal attacks, threats, and other assorted
bullying behavior started by a certain local church and her leaders has lead
to a loss of civility that is hurting our community.

But, I've also become increasingly concerned about the stories that
*haven't* been covered.  Why did I have to learn about the criminal behavior
of a Moscow massage therapist, and several other noteworthy events, from
Trib readers???

Too, I'm aware that there is some really bizarre selection process to what
letters get run and what letters don't make the cut.  To me, that smacks of
censorship, something I'm definitely NOT looking for in a local paper.  I
definitely want to see balance (which I find lacking in the Daily New of
late), but not censorship.

And, I remain concerned about the real lack of diversity of the Town Criers
-- that has been a thorn in my paw for awhile.  I know of a few folks who
applied, so I know the lack of diversity *isn't* due to a lack of
applicants.

The selection of Iverson for a regular column a long last convinced me that
the lack of diversity is due to the editors, who like to sing a good
"diversity" song but aren't willing to do what it takes to provide *real*
diversity on its editorial page for its readers.

So be it.  Thus ends a nearly-two-decade-long devotion to the local Daily
News.  I look forward to the day/week/month/year/decade when I can
resubscribe . . . but I'm not holding my breath:  I've moved on.  I'll have
withdrawals, no doubt -- the Daily News was my fix for a long time -- but I
*will* survive  :-)


JMHO,
Saundra Lund
Moscow, ID

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do
nothing.
Edmund Burke

***** Original material contained herein is Copyright 2005, Saundra Lund.
Do not copy, forward, excerpt, or reproduce outside the Vision 2020 forum
without the express written permission of the author.***** 


-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Joseph Campbell
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2005 4:34 PM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: [Vision2020] Daily News Cancellation Letter

A few points to make about the comparison between Vera White's column and Ed
Iverson's column.

1/ Vera White's column is now buried on page 3 of the Daily News. It does
not appear as a weekly op/ed piece. Moreover, her columns have significantly
softened since she's been moved from page 1 to page 3. Much of what she does
is announce events and goings-on in Moscow or the broader Northwest area.

2/ White consistently shows more balance than Iverson appears capable of
doing. She'll joke about e-mail exchanges with Wilson whereas Iverson won't
even allow a mother the right to grieve for the death of her son, so long as
her political stance opposes his own.

3/ White does not put forth preachy, pseudo-philosophical views about the
nature of morality but Iverson does. White is qualified to write her column
since she makes a living as a writer. What is the basis for Iverson's
position? How is he qualified to wax philosophical? In short, White does not
overstep her bounds or area of expertise; Iverson does.

(Admittedly, this is my own pet peeve. Iverson bugs me to no end in part
because I make a living as a philosopher and I enjoy reading the op/ed page
in my leisure. To find, each weekend, someone making philosophical mistakes
that most of my freshman students won't make is more unsettling to me than
it might be to others. But, for those of you with another vocation, I ask
you: How would you feel if they grabbed some guy off the street and asked
him to express his opinions about topics to which you have devoted your
life's work? And no, I am not saying that only academics get to wax
philosophical. But if you're going to give out a WEEKLY column to someone
who intends to wax philosophical, why not give it to an actual philosopher?)

4/ Not all liberals enjoy White's column. I don't wish to speak ill of White
but I will say that if it takes giving up her column just so I don't have to
read Iverson, that is a trade I am more than willing to make.

5/ I agree with Bill that canceling a subscription on the basis of a weekly
column is not a wise decision. But as my posting below indicates, Iverson's
column is not the only reason to think that the Daily News has lost its
sense of balance when it comes to matters related to NSA/Christ Church.

Joe Campbell

On 8/29/05 2:02 PM, "vision2020-request at moscow.com"
<vision2020-request at moscow.com> wrote:

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> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 12:33:02 -0700
> From: "Pat Kraut" <pkraut at moscow.com>
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Daily News Cancellation Letter
> To: "vision2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
> Message-ID: <004101c5acd0$797ae780$65acfea9 at d5b8c8>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> 
> How interesting this is! I stopped taking the DN some time ago because 
> of Vera White. I realize that a newspaper should have all points of 
> view but I didn't like having her brand of hate in my home. I went on 
> the web and read what Iverson wrote and I guess I just think it is a 
> conservative answer to the nonsense that White has written for years. 
> Just the other side of the story so to speak. Maybe we should all take 
> the paper and keep them honest with our letters to the editor and 
> accepting calls for guest articles. It is a free press after all that 
> cannot be any better than the community. These two different sides are 
> a reflection of the community. I bet most of you love Vera White!
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: DonaldH675 at aol.com
> To: vision2020 at moscow.com ; alford at dnews.com ; letters at dnews.com
> Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2005 11:58 PM
> Subject: [Vision2020] Daily News Cancellation Letter
> 
> 
> Dear Nathan Alford,
> 
> When I opened the D.N. this morning and saw (once again) an op ed 
> piece written by Ed Iverson, New St. Andrews College librarian, I 
> realized that it was time to cancel my subscription to your newspaper.
> 
> I appreciate the journalistic obligation of the Daily News to include 
> conservative perspectives on local, national and international issues.  
> Latah County is  fortunate to have a number of intelligent, 
> well-informed conservatives who could ably fill this role; residents 
> with substantial knowledge of the region, long, well-documented records of
community service,
> and proven literary skills.   Sadly, you have deliberately overlooked many
> eminently suitable candidates in order to provide a public platform 
> for a know-nothing newcomer who hectors, lectures, and attempts to
proselytize on
> behalf of Douglas J. Wilson.   The selection of Ed Iverson as a regular
> columnist demonstrates a critical lapse of judgment on your part and a 
> profound failure of imagination and sensitivity to local issues on the
part of
> your editorial staff.   It is apparent that the DN editors do not serve
you,
> or your newspaper well, Nathan.
> 
> A newspaper and its editorial board need not endorse or even embrace a 
> liberal, progressive agenda to please me.  However, I do expect that 
> at least a half-hearted, semi-professional attempt will be made to 
> provide balance on the editorial page. It baffles and repulses me that 
> you have chosen (for what ever reason) to employ a devotee of Doug 
> Wilson as a regular columnist.  What in the world, or, perhaps I 
> should ask who in the world, persuaded you that Ed Iverson was an
appropriate or worthy  choice?
> 
> Fortunately, your father has not completely capitulated to the 
> charmless persuasion of Doug Wilson, Roy Atwood,  much less Ed 
> Iverson. Subsequently, I will rely on the Lewiston Tribune for Moscow
news.
> 
> Sincerely,
> Rose Huskey