Susie Bright has a terrific entry today at the Huffington Post about the refusal of a South Dakota paper to print editorials about the state's abortion ban. Argus Leader editor Chuck Baldwin has been quoted as saying that he doesn't want his paper to weigh in because "people would think our coverage is tainted, and not just on abortion but on everything." Yeah, that's pretty much a risk of running editorials on any topic, from abortion to war to the pH levels in your garden mulch. But, Baldwin said, "abortion is different from other issues." Apparently, it's "a hot button issue at the core of everyone's soul."
Bright has some choice words for Baldwin and his hot-button soul. I second her call to readers to write and express their feelings to Baldwin at this e-mail address or at his snail mail address (Argus Leader, P.O. Box 5034, Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5034) or to just sent your thoughts by fax (605-331-2294). Or, if you feel like it, do all three.
Meanwhile, Bright has a nifty template letter for Baldwin that's really worth a read. This may be my favorite part of her missive: "Are you high? -- or do you just not care about being the laughingstock of your entire profession? ... If you do not cover the pressing news and opinions of the day, you can just turn in your 'reporter' badge to the little clown car people who would be happy to outfit you with a diaper and a party hat." But I also like "Have a nice weather section, Chuck."
Actually, I like the whole thing. And I bet Broadsheet readers have equally sharp sentiments to get off their chests. Have at it!
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