Folks: I'm looking at pages 78 and 79 of the April 14 issue, where three letters blast Sandy Reed for her first Readers' Choice column, and one defends her. I don't think that this reflects selection of letters that reinforce Sandy's perspective.
On a larger scale, we (in particular I, as opinions editor) enjoy differences of opinion. When readers care enough to send e-mail or scribble something on the margin of a page, it means they care about a subject and the writer has touched a nerve. If a reader disagrees strongly with one of our articles or columns, I'd recommend that we publish his or her letter. Our standards are that it be readable, follow conventions of grammar, be signed, and include no profanity or slander.
Of course, we cannot afford to publish every Letter to the Editor in print or electric. Print has the cost of paper, distribution, etc. but even on Electric there are costs associated with publication -- copy editors make sure that our style is consistent, our Web master isn't volunteering his time, and so on.
Rachel Parker
Guest Host
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