PublishaLetter Blog

Any article on a polarizing figure like Glen Beck will produce lot of heat. That is expected. What was unexpected about the cover article on Time was the level of anger from the letter writers and how they read the same article so differently. It was, as if, through their own political prisms, they read two different Time articles on Glen Beck. One has to conclude that from a journalistic point of view, the cover story was a success, since people from both sides of the political divide found so much to disagree with ( and so vehemently).

We wonder, if it was a commercial success though - since so many subscriber of the magazine threatened to cancel their subscriptions.

Here are some excerpts from the letters:

I was appalled at the whitewash of Glenn Beck in your current issue. Quoting opposing extreme opinions–as if ALL opinions were legitimate and credible just because they exist–does not substitute for journalism. Journalism involves the responsibility to check out claims and counterclaims and get at the truth of the matter. …
If this magazine can no longer distinguish between an “entertainer” and a rabble-rouser, I have bought my last issue.

Another letter with a different perspective:

You are very opinionated, but it appears your opinion only goes one way - toward our illustrious leader President Obama.  Shame on your for portraying an American who cares about the country and is one of the most patriotic as being some kind of freak.
I am going to be canceling my subscription to your magazine.

And one more opinion on on the state of journalism today:

The desire to turn every story into a partisan battle rather than vet and report facts- as someone failed to do in the piece on Glenn Beck- is the reason people are so distrustful of the media today.

For the full letters please go to Publishaletter.com.

As the Afghanistan War makes a come back as a prominent political issue in the US, two letters stood out for their not-so- usual perspective. They did not question whether more troops should be sent or if the war is winnable or whether the center of gravity should be the tribal areas in Pakistan rather than Afghanistan.

The first letter NYT reporter rescue addressed to the New York Times said that the rescue of the reporter was a great event for the reporter’s family, but terrible for the family of the two that got killed. Asks the letter - Was this a fair exchange?

The second letter Micro Management of Afghanistan War stated that according to a BBC report, the operation needed to be ’signed off’ at the Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister level. Asks the letter -For what do the local commanders draw their pay and allowances?

Read the full letters in Publishaletter.com

The reaction to Obama´s speech to school children generated lot of outrage. Most writers are flabbergasted by the outrage by the right which they clearly see as a manufactured controversy. Here are some excerpts:

I am flabbergasted that anyone would object to schoolchildren watching the President of the United States give a speech emphasizing the importance of education and hard work.  ……. Ironically, hard work, education and respect for the presidency used to be conservative values.

Or this letter:

Is there any truth to the rumor that the Republicans will offer a rebuttal to the President’s speech in which they urge America’s youth to quit school, discuss the dangers of persisting at most anything and the advantages of failing in school. …..How else can we raise another generation of Republicans?

A very thoughtful letter by an educator said this:

We want our students to learn that patriots can disagree about policy choices in a democracy while still loving their country and wanting the best for all of her people.  Opting out of hearing a speech by the President or a member of the clergy from a different religion or any opinionated speaker does not serve the goal of learning about others and, eventually, yourself.  We believe that our students’ education is well-served by exploration and engagement about issues, not by refusing to even hear opposing views.

Well said