I suppose intelligent discourse really is dead.

[kellinator]

scarcrest reports that certain parties have not taken well to the Lone Star Iconoclast's endorsement of John Kerry.

"In the past, when individuals disagreed with an editorial, they would write a letter to the editor politely expressing a different point of view in contrast to the views of the publishers, which we have usually published.... The new mode of operation, I am told, is that when a newspaper prints an editorial of which some sectors might disagree, the focus is now upon how to run the newspaper out of business.... Unfortunately, for the Iconoclast and its publishers there have been threats — big ones including physical harm.

...Next time you hear a Republican crowing about how the Republicans are the party of values, I want you to think about the values of threatening and harrassing newspaper employees who aren't even on the editorial staff. I want to you think about the values of trying to silence those who disagree with you, rather than offering articulate reasoning as to why you disagree. And then I want you to think about what kind of values they're really selling you.

Yes, I agree: I am rude and condescending when it comes to politics. In return, I put up with rude and condescending comments from many of my circle, because it's only fair. But I have never threatened those of opposing viewpoints with physical harm (well, maybe alanator, but he was goading me while I was drunk). If these people are willing to do so, you might want to ask yourself exactly what they're afraid of.

If I make it through the next month without losing my fucking mind, it'll be a fucking miracle.

Comments

[thetuan.livejournal.com]

actually the old fashioned way of disagreeing with an editor was to call them out. there are many instances where newspaper editors dueled in order to defend their paper's view or statements.

JOHN HAMPTON PLEASANTS VS. THOMAS RITCHIE, JR. Thomas Ritchie was the son of the founder of the Richmond Enquirer (first issued in 1804) and one of the editors after 1845. John Hampton Pleasants (1797-1846) founded the rival Richmond Whig in 1824 and edited it until 1846 when he was shot and killed the duel. The two paper editors feuded over their papers and finally it got so out of hand a duel was called.

THE HYMAN-HILLIARD DUEL. In the Summer of 1855 John D. Hyman, editor of the Spectator said in his paper the mail service was not as efficiently conducted as when been under the management of the Whigs. Dr. W. L. Hilliard was then the postmaster, and a partner of Dr. J. F. E. Hardy. Besides this, both were Democrats. Dr. Hilliard sent Dr. Hardy to Col. Hyman with a polite request for a retraction and apology, which were refused. Thereupon a challenge to mortal combat followed which was promptly accepted, rifles designated as the weapons, and Paint Rock on the Tennessee line agreed on as the place of meeting.





http://www.twainquotes.com/18630802t.html


perhaps one should let them duel....http://clarionherald.org/19990916/stall.htm