Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to letters to the editor, but none inparticular, because most of them read just like this:
"I am shocked and appalled that the Daily News chooses to run thedisrespectful ramblings of [insert columnist] from week to week.While the Daily News attempts to practice a higher standardof journalism, the writing of [insert columnist] is truly thelowest of the bottom-feeding, cellar-dwelling, moronic tripe.
"Need I remind this elitist rambler that we live in a freecountry? All opinions should be respected, and therefore I mustdisagree vehemently by calling [insert columnist] names and making[insert columnist] out to be an idiot, while elevating myselfthrough my clever use of direct-address condescension.
"I'm sorry, the rest of us 'regular students' are just not goodenough. We don't sit up in some ivory tower tapping a keyboard andmaking snap judgments about those who are beneath us. You areclearly sick, deranged and should be locked up for your diatribe,you worthless hate monger.
"If you don't like the opinions of others, just leave thecountry!
"Rather than leave, however, you choose to remain here andbrazenly exercise actual First Amendment rights. This kind ofdisrespectful commentary would get you killed, beaten, maimed orpoked with sharp stick if you lived in another country, exceptmaybe for Canada, Great Britain, France, Australia or any otherpart of the free world.
"The Daily News is supposed to represent both sides ofthe political spectrum. So why is it that every week I find withinits pages biased commentary from both liberals and conservativesalike? I find this egregious oversight appalling, disgusting,shocking, disgusting, shocking and appalling -- so there.
"Why does the Daily News publish such caustic, elitistcynicism? Sarcasm and hyperbole have no place in civilizeddiscussion because no one understands the use of either.
"I expect more out of the Daily News in the future."
Well, allow me to retort:
First, asking anyone to leave the country for expressing anopinion is brazenly un-American. The fact that I have to remindpeople on a college campus is both shocking and appalling.
"I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend,to the death, your right to say it," so says Voltaire. Granted,listening to a French philosopher isn't popular, but no Americanever said this better.
Second, if you respond to anything printed in the DAILY NEWS orany other newspaper, please take a moment and calm down. You know,like right now.
Otherwise your writing will look exactly like the writing above-- full of insults, lacking reason, and pushing the boundaries ofhilarity. Writers are indeed sick people, and we use letters likethe above to motivate ourselves.
Third, attacking issues by disagreeing is fine. Attacking thewriter for voicing an opinion is un-American. Why do readers needto be reminded of the First Amendment and the definition of civildisagreement?
Lastly, sarcasm and hyperbole are two of the greatest literarytools in history, and college audiences -- more than any audience-- should be able to understand the two. Writers aren't going tostop using these tools just because people can't understandthem.
No one should apologize for having opinions. Proper expressionis key.
Keep those letters coming.
Write to John at kingseyeland@bsu.edu
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