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Looking ahead
Jan 04, 2007When this blog began, one of the purposes was to solicit input on editorials before they appear in the paper. You might not persuade us to change our position, but then again ... you might.
So, here’s a look ahead. Please comment to the blog or email me directly at .
In no particular order, we are working on these editorials:
Virginia transportation plan: 1) The state needs more money for roads. Raising the gas tax is the most sensible solution. The state has one of the lowest. And, the gas tax - unlike a tax on car registrations - makes those who use our roads but don’t live here pay more.
2) The land use reforms: This is the House solution to the transportation situation. However, Southwest Va. residents need to read the fine print very carefully, particularly provisions that would prevent VDOT from accepting any more subdivision roads into the state system. Some provisions call for reversion of subdivision roads to counties for maintenance. However, this looks to apply primarily in urban areas.
3,000 dead: The death toll in Iraq crossed another milestone this weekend. Meanwhile, the president continues to search for a way forward that will probably involve sending more troops to Iraq. How does this square with the late President Ford’s condemnation of the war?
School board election: Bristol Tennessee is gearing up for another election year. City Council and School Board are on the ballot. In the past few years, voters have had choices in the City Council raise, but never in the School Board raise. This is a shame. The School Board makes some pretty significant decisions as well. Why won’t anyone run?
Ramsey’s quest: And yet again Ron Ramsey is hoping to add lieutenant governor to his list of titles. Since the Republicans have the majority, this seems logical. Lt. Gov. John Wilder has held the post forever. He’s part of the status quo. We’re not too excited about the status quo in Nashville. Of course, this situation is still evolving. The Democrats seem poised to nominate someone other than Wilder for the post. Then, all bets are off.
Feel free to comment on any or all of these topics.
Posted by Andrea Hopkins Let’s talk about letters, again
Dec 29, 2006A frequent letter-writer and blog-poster, Melanie, wants to know why I edited two of her letters to the editor. She believes I changed the meaning by clarifying the language.
Since her query was at the end of a rather old post on the old blog, I thought I would move it here ... since it allows for a general discussion of the editing of letters to the editor. I post her blog in its entirety:
I have sent in blogs that have not been posted for what ever reason I do not know. I have sent in letters to the editor and they have been edited to be politically correct. We will see if this blog is edited and I will let you know.
I learned that freedom of speech is different in the newspaper. I sent in a letter again and asked to review it first because I wanted to see if what was going to be printed was actually what I had to say and this is the response I got from Andrea “Its against policy to allow prior review. If that is the condition under which you want your letter published, it wont be published. This isnt personal. Sorry”
My letters were not vulgar or had words that should not be published but held thoughts and opinions. Blogs may have different rules than letters to the editor. I just think if a person writes a letter to the editor and it is edited, for what ever reason, it changes the meaning and the expression of ideas and opinions of the person who sent it.
Case in point… a letter written about the Cinemall in Abingdon “Mr.
Westons concern and conviction of endangering the reputation of the Cinemall” were my words. The printed article left out the word conviction
because it was deemed to be too critical in nature of content.
Another case in point concerning was Homosexuals in the church written to the editor. My words were , homosexuals should not be allowed to become “members” of the body or accepted participation, which would give them the approval and the endorsement of their lifestyle, just like those who have addictions of drugs, alcohol, sex, and other willful sin.
This is what was printed. However, homosexuals should not be allowed to become “members” of the body or accepted participants. This would give
approval and endorsement of their lifestyle. My whole point was to relate
the addictions of drugs, alcohol, sex and the homosexual lifestyle as equal sins. But the drugs, alcohol, and sex were left out only citing the issue of homosexuality. Letters to the editor are edited for what ever reason and words are changed left out.
On the Damascus streaker and MLK
Dec 26, 2006On Sunday’s editorial page, interim Managing Editor Todd Foster graciously agreed to pinch hit for me as guest columnist. In his column, he tackles both the subject of the Damascus streaker and the decision to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a street named for him in Bristol.
On Sunday’s editorial page, interim Managing Editor Todd Foster graciously agreed to pinch hit for me as guest columnist. In his column, he tackles both the subject of the Damascus streaker and the decision to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a street named for him in Bristol.
Foster explains some of the decision-making process that led to the publication of the streaker piece and discusses some of the less than exemplary feedback on the King street decision. It’s worth a read.
- Andrea Hopkins
Back to life, back to reality
Dec 26, 2006I am back at my desk after 10 days off. I’m not sure it was a vacation, since I didn’t go anywhere. I offer this as an explanation to Chris, who asked for a new post.
I am back at my desk after 10 days off. I’m not sure it was a vacation, since I didn’t go anywhere. I offer this as an explanation to Chris, who asked for a new post.
That said, I’m not sure what’s top of the news right now. I’m patiently delving into the e-mails, voice mail and letters that piled up in my absence. I should be done this time next week.
So, I offer this post-holiday open thread and a question: What would you all like to talk about in this final week of 2006?
- Andrea Hopkins
Mr. Webb goes to Washington
Nov 30, 2006Seems Virginia’s senator-elect sees no need to bow to the rules of polite social interaction - even when that interaction involves the president of the United States.
Seems Virginia’s senator-elect sees no need to bow to the rules of polite social interaction - even when that interaction involves the president of the United States.
Jim Webb got churlish with the president at a private reception for newly elected members of Congress last week. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports the encounter here.
