Letters to the Editor Unplugged

[tdogg]

Right on Joe!!

Great letter, short sweet and heartfelt!

[Emproph]

Got 'em talkin' again too.

Good acerbic comeback cougar, I had a good little chuckle.

I'll have to keep that in mind not to limit myself to one paper in one state.

[Emproph]

This is a letter I felt lead to respond to from May 1st:
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/...next_question/

This was my response to that letter, published today May 9th:
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/...lieve/?opinion

Which was printed right before this letter, also today:
{-Warning, may make blood boil}
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/..._goes/?opinion

I don't think it’s a coincidence the editor put them together AND put mine first. The pro-life bit was meant for him and I suspect the editor knew it. This guy writes in every two weeks (max amount), raging on abortion and the "homosexual agenda," and spinning it every which way from Sunday. (If you’ve been following this thread recently, this is the guy my last letter was in response to.)

Two weeks from now, I’m on it, and don’t worry, this time I’ll make sense. I’m so excited, I have my very own James Dobson to contend with.. }

P.S. They have a modest forum too and I wouldn't be offended if anyone threw their two cents worth in.

I just checked, it is now raging, there's a response to my letter too.
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/...may_9/?opinion

[Zerbie]

Emproph your letter is beautiful. Thank you so much for submitting that to your local paper.

As for the other letter today about the "agenda," doesn't ANYONE see that it is horrific to subject civil rights to a popularity vote? Geez, my US senators both feel it is "democratic" to do so, as it protects the rights of residents (gee, the rights of residents to deny rights to other residents, sounds real worthy of protection, huh?.)

Anyway, glad you're out there fighting, E.

[Zerbie]

Okay I just looked at those comments. Good Lord! There are so many nasty people! Some of 'em, I don't even get why they bother to write, they have no point or purpose, just nastiness and ugliness. I won't be looking *there* anymore.

[Emproph]

This is what was printed:

(Mr. Doline, as I was reading through the list of what you felt should be the religious priorities and how religion causes 90 percent of wars and why kids are dying from malnutrition and disease and homelessness, etc., I read that you're an atheist, which is just what I was thinking.

Don't forget to mention how religion also causes 90 percent of atheists. It was perfect.)

This is what I submitted:

(As I was reading through the list of what you felt should be the religious priorities, how religion causes 90% of wars, kids are dying from malnutrition and disease, and homelessness, etc., I read your mention of being an atheist just as I was thinking -and don’t forget to mention how religion also causes 90% of atheists. It was perfect.)

I was not “thinking” Cy Doline was an atheist, I was agreeing and adding to Cy’s list in my mind as I was reading it.

“Just as I was thinking -and don’t forget to mention how religion also causes 90% of atheists, ” was changed to: “I read that you're an atheist, which is just what I was thinking,” putting words in my mouth and usurping its meaning. I didn't catch the magnitude of it before.

[Emproph]

There were at least two comments from people who totally took it as my pushing religion onto atheists.

Fortunately though there were like five comments ragging on the "homosexual agenda" guy. What a creep.

[Zerbie]

(Just had to, just HAD to! )

Yes, I identified as an atheist for about 10 years, from about age 11 til I was 21 or 22. If you had written those words to me, I would have loved you for it.
Your words to Mr Doline were high praise indeed. I hope he takes it that way, and screw what the others think.

Hafta confess I lost ya on the subtleties of the word order change. Whatever the substantial difference in meaning is, I am not seeing it. Enlighten??

[Emproph]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

(Just had to, just HAD to! )

Ex-atheist. Took a few times but I got it.

Congratulations, you've given up the non-believing "lifestyle." Tell me, do you find that you still have non-believing tendencies?

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Yes, I identified as an atheist for about 10 years, from about age 11 til I was 21 or 22. If you had written those words to me, I would have loved you for it.
Your words to Mr Doline were high praise indeed. I hope he takes it that way...

That makes me feel much better, Thanks again.

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Hafta confess I lost ya on the subtleties of the word order change. Whatever the substantial difference in meaning is, I am not seeing it. Enlighten??

This is what was printed:
{Mr. Doline, as I was reading through the list of what you felt should be the religious priorities and how religion causes 90 percent of wars and why kids are dying from malnutrition and disease and homelessness, etc., I read that you're an atheist, which is just what I was thinking.

Don't forget to mention how religion also causes 90 percent of atheists. It was perfect.}

-First of all the “just WHAT I was thinking isn’t true and it makes it seem like I’m sitting in judgement. And then separating the “Don’t forget to mention” part makes it seem like I was being sarcastic, as in “oh yeah, and don’t forget to blame religion on your hellbound non-believing little soul.”

This is what I submitted:
{As I was reading through the list of what you felt should be the religious priorities, how religion causes 90% of wars, kids are dying from malnutrition and disease, and homelessness, etc., I read your mention of being an atheist just as I was thinking -and don’t forget to mention how religion also causes 90% of atheists. It was perfect.}

-The way I sent it in was meant to convey that I was in agreement and was reminded of the irony that religious/Christian behavior is so deplorable and hypocritical sometimes that it convinces people that there truly is no god. This was the entire inspiration for and meaning of the letter.

Maybe it was an oversight or m I just got it! The editor misunderstood.

(This is the way the editor took it when I sent it in, he thought I forgot the punctuation.)
I read your mention of being an atheist(,) just as I was thinking(.) -and don’t forget to mention how religion also causes 90% of atheists. It was perfect.

This is what I should have put:
And just as I was thinking: “and don’t forget to mention how religion also causes 90% of atheists,” you mentioned that you were one. It was perfect
(See the difference?)

He usually takes out all the extras that help to convey the meaning, like italics and quotes, otherwise I would have put that in quotes. Next time I'll clarify the meaning if need be.

Fortunately you didn’t take it that way, but I think that small change is why it was taken wrong. It bothers me because from the other things they posted I know that they’re on my side. It was meant to be encouraging for the ‘anti-war human rights loving even if you’re an atheist crowd.’

Oh well, live and learn. I’ll have to run it by more people next time.

(PS Now that's an elaboration )

[Zerbie]

Nahhh, Emproph sweetie I really don't think that was all your bad - that's newspaper people for ya. They're in a hurry and they have word limits, blah blah. I agree quotes make your meaning stand out clearly - cuz I hafta say, I didn't get your "just as I was thinking" intention until 3/4s of the way thru your most recent post. You were citing the editorializing going on in your head as your read Doline's letter. Finally I get that! No, that wasn't clear to me before. Brings us along on the irony ride with you, I see, I see.

Remember when you're writing for others that you have to take us along on every step of the thought trail, or you've gone splashing way ahead without us. That's a trap you still fall into sometimes. But we love ya. We wanna know where you're going with your words.

As to the ex-atheist thing - yeah, I thought you might get that one, but wasn't entirely sure. Glad ya did!

Don't stress over the letter - it's over and done with. And even with the error printed, it's a beautiful missive.

[Emproph]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Don't stress over the letter - it's over and done with. And even with the error printed, it's a beautiful missive.

Oh you’re a sweetheart . Nothing but the best for me when it’s coming from you.

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Nahhh, Emproph sweetie I really don't think that was all your bad - that's newspaper people for ya. They're in a hurry and they have word limits, blah blah. I agree quotes make your meaning stand out clearly - cuz I hafta say, I didn't get your "just as I was thinking" intention until 3/4s of the way thru your most recent post. You were citing the editorializing going on in your head as your read Doline's letter. Finally I get that! No, that wasn't clear to me before. Brings us along on the irony ride with you, I see, I see.

Remember when you're writing for others that you have to take us along on every step of the thought trail, or you've gone splashing way ahead without us. That's a trap you still fall into sometimes. But we love ya. We wanna know where you're going with your words.

Groovy tunes you got it, and that’s perfect advice . That’s exactly what I struggled to do with my explanation in that last post. I just kept asking myself, “how can I make this simpler and clearer?” Come to think of it, isn't all communication really just glorified explanation, hmmm.

So that’s my bane. But after all that, I already feel like I’ve sharpened my ‘ensuring clarity’ skills. It just takes remembering to do so. Every time I’ve focused on getting the message crystal clear, eventually I’ve been able to.

I guess I’ll have to start writing a letter to the editor about my letter to the editor . Not to overdo it of course but to make sure they know what my point is and to contact me if it needs further revision. Which they’ve done before, they’re pretty amenable.

[Dash]

Wrote a letter to the editor of THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN--my campus paper. They
published an article about the Equality Ride on Wednesday:
Alumnus sets wheels in motion as bus tours U.S. to urge equality
Andrea Castillo Issue date: 5/10/06

Then (grrrrr) yesterday, the following letter appeared:
____________________
Letters to the Editor
Issue date: 5/11/06 Section: Forum

Scripture debate complex

It may be within the purview of Jacob Reitan, Monica Carmean and University Christian Ministry to describe Jesus as giving de facto support of homosexuality, but the fact that they believe it doesn't make it true, and it certainly doesn't entitle The Daily to report it as if it is. In Wednesday's article about the Equality Ride bus tour, The Daily told only one side of an incredibly multifaceted story.

It's true that liberal Protestants interpret Jesus' command to love your neighbor as yourself as an endorsement of a 21st-century view of homosexuality. But it's just as true that an overwhelming majority of Christians for 2,000 years would make no such leap in reasoning.

It is true there are some who have committed hate crimes against homosexuals in the name of Jesus, and that's truly terrible. But to imply that a belief in homosexuality is sinful equates to violence against homosexuals is irresponsible, intellectually dishonest and offensive.

The fact that the liberal Protestant theology is more culturally attractive does not mean it represents an accurate or orthodox reading of Scripture or excuse The Daily for regurgitating it as if it's the only view out there. Good journalism would have sought out the opinions of representatives from some of the colleges that Equality Ride visited, or at least an evangelical NU student, to acknowledge that liberal Protestants don't have a monopoly on deciding what constitutes the Christian message.

An open-minded reading of the Bible in its context and a dialogue with those who disagree is a good place to start in investigating the theological issues here, but when it comes to the issue of good journalism, the verdict in this case is pretty clear: The Daily came up short.

-Adam Wilson,
Medill '02
____________________

My response, written with the editing assistance of my (straight and married) co-worker, Kory, appears today:

Letters to the editor
Issue date: 5/12/06 Section: Forum

Wilson criticism off-base

Adam Wilson takes issue with The Daily for the way it reported on the Equality Ride in Wednesday's paper. He may not like what Jacob Reitan has to say about his work, but this does not require The Daily to report on every dissenting religious opinion. The story never pretended to be an investigation of the theological issues. To include every other perspective on sexuality and religion would not be a better telling of a "multifaceted story," as Wilson says. It would be a completely different news story.

The Daily reported on one of Northwestern's fine alumni who is doing work about which he is passionate. That is all. It was not "The gays in church: a 2,000-year retrospective." Perhaps if Wilson is passionate about his beliefs and makes a trip across the country to share his vision with the world, it might make the news as well.

What he really wanted, of course, was to present his opposition to the message of the Equality Ride and its participants.

On that subject, Mr. Wilson's attempt to break the connection between the damning rhetoric that issues from anti-gay religious groups and violence against LGBT folk is disingenuous and irresponsible. Religious groups that preach LGBT people are sinful, disgusting abominations to God have no right to disclaim the effect of such words when gays, or those who just "look a little queer," are attacked by misguided people that have been taught to loathe them.

- Jay Decker,
Music, '05

______________________
Also today, praise from THE DAILY for Jake :

Highs and lows
Issue date: 5/12/06 Section: Forum
Thumbs up to Jacob Reitan

… for riding for change. Reitan, Communication '04, started Equality Ride, a Christian bus tour to colleges that prohibits openly gay students. It's a grassroots movement, started by Reitan's conversation with a gay Wheaton College student at a Chicago gay bar.

The Equality Ride was modeled after the Freedom Rides of the 1960s, where students would ride buses into segregated states to gather momentum for ending desegregation.

Reitan and his entourage are tackling the next civil rights movement, one stop at a time.

[Zerbie]

Excellently done Dash.

[schoolboi]

My letter in the Advocate

[Daniel]

Dash and Schoolboi,

Bravi to you both. Great letters! You both wrote the kinds of letters that get printed: those that don't have to be edited.

Tutti Bavi!

[Dash]

[Hi all... This is not a letter to the editor, but I thought it belonged in this thread. Kind of a scream to the world. I've sent this to everyone I know, cuz I don't know what else to do. I'm sending it to you too.]

It is time for peace. It is time for honesty. It is time for justice. It is time for love.

I can no longer be quiet. I want to raise a voice against the horrors of war and greed that we and our government here in The United States of America have perpetuated. I want to bring American troops home. I want us to never take war to another country again. Far from helping the people of Iraq, we have destroyed their society. Mothers, fathers, young women and young men, little children...all in that ruined country live in daily fear of being killed or watching their loved ones die. They have nothing left but their poverty and their terror.

We have gained nothing from the destruction we have caused. Our fuel and energy prices are higher. Our national debt is unimaginably high. Our own loved ones are still dying at the hands of those we fight, and we are no more secure than we were five years ago. We have nothing to show for our violence. Not, mind you, that we should ever profit from the suffering and poverty of another people. Nor can we allow our powerful Senators, Representatives, President, or corporations to profit from the increase of war. The good spirit within us recoils from such a disgusting thought.

Some of you may believe in vengeance and retribution for wrongs against America. I tell you, it has not worked, it will never work, and we must lay down of the sword of vengeance. It is not a weapon that we should ever wield.

Some of you believe we must make our country more secure. But, we cannot make ourselves more secure at the expense of another country's security. In our bid to protect ourselves, we cause innocent people to live the desperate lives of refugees. Where is the justice in that? Where is the honesty?

The plight of the Iraqi people is our plight. Their suffering is our suffering. When an Iraqi man dies in an explosion on the streets of Baghdad, I am covered in guilty blood. The poverty of another is your poverty too. We must open ourselves to the pain of all who suffer; for there is no way to love another if we do not understand their pain. There is no way to help those in need, if we will not recognize their need.

Politicians will tell you that now is the time to protect ourselves against Muslims and Mexicans. They will tell you that now is the time to protect ourselves from gay men and women. They will tell you that now is the time to guard our faith against liberal theology. They will tell you that now is the time to protect your bank accounts from taxes. They will tell you that now is the time to keep them in Washington and in Senates and Houses in all our states.

But now is the time for peace. Now is the time for honesty. Now is the time for justice. And, now is the time for love.

You are my dear friends. You are my good mother and my good father, whose love I treasure. You are the brothers of whom I am so very proud. You are my cousins. You are the acquaintance of long ago. You are the one I dated briefly in my search for love. You are my co-worker, alongside of whom I work each day. You are my teachers and those who have mentored me. You are my classmates and colleagues. You are my neighbors and my fellow countrymen. I write this letter to you because it is time. It is time for all of us to take hold of the wheel. It is time for us to put our foot to the brake. It is time to get off the mad path of destruction and greed and hate and fear. It is time to recognize honestly that we are going in the wrong direction.

I am Jay Decker, and I have written this to you. I am sending it to everyone whose email address I have in my contact list. I beg you to send it forward to everyone in your list. If you think it is deficient or poorly written, I beg you send it anyway--bad as it may be. Then, write your own letter--be it long or brief. Send these cries across this country and around the world. If you do not agree with my politics or my faith...if you do not agree with my choices or my life...if you think I am foolish and misguided...if you are offended or ashamed at my outburst, I beg you to at least look again at the path this country is taking and consider if there is a better one. Send this letter on, if only to share this moment of reflection with others. Those who are suffering deserve at least that much from a compassionate people. It would be an act of love and justice....an act of honesty and peace.

Fear has claimed its time. Hate and oppression have taken their time. Greed has stolen its time. Lies have had their time. War has raped our time.

Now is the time for Peace.

Now is the time for Justice.

Now is the time for Honesty.

Now is the time for Love.


Jay Decker
Chicago, IL

[Emproph]

I thought it was an effective rebuttle/letter and wanted to share it.

Letter cites religion, but compassion absent

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Mark Phelps wrote ("Defense of gay marriage offensive to this reader," July 8) that he was horribly offended by my brother, Thomas Naughton's, letter concerning gay marriage being here to stay. I say to you, Mr. Phelps, shame on you. How dare you say the following about another human being, let alone my brother whom I love dearly? You do not know from offensive until you open your paper and see your brother being lambasted in a public forum for something he cannot control.

You said, "I don't hate gays and I don't think that Mr. Naughton is going any place different for his being gay than anybody else who has lied, stolen, coveted, lusted, murdered." You make me sick. To equate being gay with someone who lies, steals, covets, and murders is absolutely deplorable.

You threaten my brother with what will happen when he meets his maker. How do you sleep at night?

Your position is a common one these days among self-righteous so-called Christians and makes me laugh with pity for you and those like you. What you and your brethren need to realize is that God is love and mercy, not damnation and hell-fire.

Someone who would not want to see my brother in heaven with them needs to realize that perhaps they do not belong there themselves [emphasis mine]. Being Christian means Christ-like. Being Christ-like means loving your neighbor. Do not patronize me or anyone else for that matter, by saying you don't hate gays. That is clearly not the case. The opposite of love is indifference and if you didn't care about who was gay you wouldn't waste our time by filling these pages with your words of hatred.

I just want to tell you that I forgive you of your bigotry and malice toward my brother. I have to, otherwise I'd be just like you, an uptight fundamentalist with no human compassion.

Margaret M. Naughton
Foxboro

There are many important and effective lines in that letter, but I think the one in bold pins down the pith of it for me. Who are they to judge our salvation? This is the very thing that condemns them.
___
Not to mention, how'd you like to have a sister like that?

[u-dog]

Originally Posted by Emproph

___
Not to mention, how'd you like to have a sister like that?

I DO have a sister like that!! and its great! We also have Zerbie... who is a sister like that.

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by u-dog

I DO have a sister like that!! and its great! We also have Zerbie... who is a sister like that.

I was just thinking how I wish I had written that. . . .

It's exactly how I feel! I thank Margaret Naughton for crystallizing those points so well, and will definitely try to remember them for the next time I want to share the same message.

[BrentRichards]

Mark Phelps is the son of Fred Phelps who left the family "church" and has since had some less-than-flattering things to say about daddy in the media. I wonder if the guy above is the same Mark Phelps? If so, he hasn't strayed "far enough" from home!