It would appear I have some “splaining” to do
Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Recently I have received two letters, both of which are critical of what the writers say is my editorial policy. (See one of those letters on this page today ).
Without repeating their words verbatim, the gist of what they had to say was the newspaper's editorials were not hard hitting enough; they didn't have any substance.
My answer to their claims is they don't know what they are talking about.
You see, what they are being critical of are my columns, which are different than the newspaper's editorials.
So, I thought I might take a little time here to educate them and others of the same ilk on the newspaper.
Those articles I write, in which one finds my photograph, the thing you are reading right now, are columns.
By definition, a column is an article appearing regularly written by a particular writer or columnist. And, a columnist is person who writes a regular column giving a personal opinion.
In this case the operative word is "personal."
What I write in this space each week is my own opinion, or my own observations. The words I put down are not necessarily the opinion of the newspaper (which includes the publisher and owner ).
I write them for a number of reasons, primarily to evoke thought or memories in the readers. They are meant to be fun, not controversial or edgey.
An editorial, on the other hand, is an article expressing the opinion of the newspaper regarding a certain subject. It might be hard-hitting, controversial or edgey. But doesn't always have to be.
Editorials can be expressions of gratitude for a job well done, or a tribute to the life of one who has passed on.
Bottom line is they might or might not be the opinion of the writer. Often times editorials come from discussions held by members of an editorial board. Those men and women gather to discuss pertinent issues, things impacting their everyday lives, and then come up with a position on which their editorial editor will write.
We don't have an editorial board, but we talk among ourselves and we talk to others in the community. Those discussions often lead to editorial fodder. Sometimes they lead nowhere.
That means some weeks we'll have something to say and some weeks we won't.
But I always try to have a personal thought or two to share. And from the responses I have received, many of you are relating to some of the things I have to say. That makes it all worth while.
And some of you who are reading my stuff apparently could not care less about it. But at least you are reading it. And after all, isn't that what the newspaper is all about ?
Douglas Grant is the managing editor of The Weekly Vista.
He has spent two decades in journalism, working in Virginia, North Carolina and Florida.
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