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EDITORIAL
Journalism of all stripes is the First Amendment, freedom of
facing more adversity on more press and speech, in this county
fronts than ever before, been under such duress.
Internationally, a record Like our brethren in the
number of journalists covering industry, the editors and staff
news in the troubled spots of the of the Journal represent hard
world were killed over the past 12 working and conscientious
months, professionals, who seek to report
Stateside, the big news in the activities of Mason County
American journalism this week and its various political entities
was the announcement of more in the best way possible.
newsroom layoffs from Gannett As most newspapers, the
Corp., the publisher of USA Journal also publishes guest
Today and still the largest columns and letters to the editor
publisher of newspapers in the as a primary vehicle for members
country, of our community to exercise their
Even here in our Puget Sound freedom of speech.
region, there were incidents As the primary news
of intimidation two weeks ago organization here in Shelton,
against the Olympian and one then, it is always a little daunting
of its photographers, Tony when local public officials or
Overman, where vandalism by prominent citizens lash out; there
malcontents causes thousands of is a certain condescension in their
dollars in damages, voices about letters that should
Not to mention the scores of or should not be printed or stories
media attacks seen daily across that may present officials in an
the country by politicians, police, unfavorable light.
courts and even the public itself Unfortunately, these
against journalism outlets, who discussions often degenerate to
by and large, are simply trying to personal attacks or ascription
do their jobs. Never before has to some sort of social agendas
or motives, ofl~n where there is
none.
A recent example is
reports about the Shelten
port commission, where an
investigation had been ongoing.
The Journal had reported on this
investigation and cited several
passages from a report issued by
the Seabeld Group.
At least one port commissioner
took the Journal reporter to
task during a public meeting,
even though the Seabold Group's
report had been quoted, and
demanded a retraction.
To call out a reporter from a
public pulpit during a business
meeting is a bit over the top,
and arguably, a case of public
bullying, being that the reporter
in question couldn't defend
herself at the time.
What is more troubling,
perhaps, is that the people who
use the First Amendment to
express their right to free speech,
such as a port commission, don't
have more respect for the First
Amendment right of the free
press.
And even the publishing of a
letter is not safe ground these
days. It seems certain prominent
community citizens begin with
the premise that if they disagree
with a letter, if it offends them or
their interests, then the Journal
by printing the letter must
somehow endorse its contents or
is acting negligently in allowing
such letters to make it to print.
This, of course, is not true.
Over a given year, the Journal
prints close to 400 letters. Do we
agree or ascribe to the point of
views expressed in each and every
one of them? Of course not.
Here at the Journal, we
see a lot of letters that are
shameful, lazy, corrupt, boring
and exploitative. Even if a
controversial letter, such as the
one by Theresa Rebo last week,
was thought to be irresponsible,
fact-challenged or paranoid,
should her views on a public
port commission investigation be
suppressed?
Some would question letters
on a similar standard as front
page news stories. Certainly
professional reporters covering
front page news deal in public
facts and practice the basic
tenets of source collection and
interviews. The role of an opinion
page with letter writers or
non-professional columnists is
different.
A good opinion page should
mirror what the temperature is
in the community on matters of
public concern; letters should
reflect the moods, feelings, fears,
imaginings, whims, speculations,
suspicions in the community. As
a paper, we can reasonably ask
that these letters be coherent
and seem to make some kind of
point.
And being in the public
eye, such as a person or entity
engaged in business of public
concern, levels of public scrutiny
or even criticism should be
expected. It comes with the
territory.
Those blaming the Journal
or the First Amendment for
unflattering public comment are
misguided in their anger and
belligerence.
TO EDITOR
+
perhaps be regarded as
Public owns
donations to a very good
public lands
cause. In the process, two
things need remembering:
1) In bad times, people
Editor; the Journal need parks more than ever,
There wa~ a ~ound and 2) once a park is shut
byte last week that was down, it is most likely gone
attributed to me: "No fees, forever.
No parks!" This came Long ago, I raced tiny
about after reading a sailing dinghies that could
New York Times article be stored on a public or
(6/6/11) about state park private float for a fee. I
problems that highlighted. . could also transport by car
the maintenance nightmare and launch at any park or
faced today by parks in street end. At the time, it
general, did not occur to me that
Parks are losing tax someone who could afford
funds as fear grows that a big truck, a trailer, and
good times will not return, a boat too big to lift would
This is distressing because consider a good launching
parks are especially facility a necessity rather
important when people than a privilege. And of
have no money. All over course they paid, just
the country, park systems as I did or would. The
are handing over the jewels only difference was that
of our public landscape my small beat could be
to private ventures, and launched for free in a public
they might even bow to big space because it was simple
corporations in the hope and quiet.
that they have managed to There are problems in
save something. Blurred Mason County when it
are the visions of Teddy comes to access to water
Roosevelt, John Muir, - both salt and fresh, and
Frederick Olmstead and unfortunately some of the
all those people we name most accessible spots for
things after. With this people of limited means
mental state we stand to have tainted sediments and
lose what I believe is our toxic fish. "Access" does not
most important American begin and end with boat
contribution to the world -- launches.
the concept that the public Bottom line: I do not
owns public lands, and that advocate charging the
it is our duty to keep it that public for general use of
way. parks, but I do support
Parks come into being a healthy system that
through acquisition when helps to maintain parks --
something good comes especially in hard times.
along, but after they are We need parks that serve
developed, they must be not only focused users,
maintained. Some facilities but also people who can
need more care than others: start up an impromptu
dedicated playing fields, game on open grass, take
golf courses, boat launches, a dip, catch a fish or picnic
camping facilities and the without driving all over
like. During times when tax the map. If this goal means
funds do not cover overall that focused users chip in,
maintenance, it stands to so be it. This is not a new
reason that Parks must rely idea.
on expert volunteers, sugar Susan Baker
daddies, commercialization Shelton
or simple fees that should
Editor, the Journal
I am writing to let people
know what a rewarding,
educational and informative
experience it was, for
me, to attend the Spring
2011 session of the Mason
County Law Enforcement
Citizen's Academy. We met
on Wednesday evenings
for seven weeks under the
tutelage of Shelton Police
Officer Daniel Patton.
There were speakers
from all the different
law enforcement groups,
which monitor Mason
County (WSP, MCSO,
SPD and Squaxin Police
Dept.). There were
demonstrations relating
to use of force, a K-9 unit
and the Emergency Vehicle
Operation Class trainers
took the class through
some of the paces that
law enforcement officers
must go through. The
Mason County Prosecuting
Attorney, Mike Dorcy and
Municipal Court Judge,
George Steele spoke to
us regarding many of
the legal issues, which
impact law enforcement
and citizens, alike. We
heard from Shelton Police
Detective Paul Campbell
about his responsibilities
to our community. One of
the WESTNET detectives
also came to speak and told
Journal Letter Pol cy
:,The Journal welcomes and
mgned, ongmal lette s
of local interest: We will
us whatEachdecreaSeof usiSdrugbeing dOnewastrafficking.afforded tothe ish le ers that
opportunity to ride along am libelous Or scurrilous
with a Shelton Police Dept.
in nature. Letters should
be Under350 wordsand
provide conta and address
officer to see what they
do when they are out on
patrol. Every week brought
us an interesting and
informative session. It
See Letter on page A-5
Shelton-Mason County
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Page A-4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, June 23, 2011
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