Would it work in this newspaper?
Many of you who read newspapers are familiar with the Wichita Eagle. One of the popular items in that big daily paper is the Opinion Line in the editorial section. People are encouraged to call in with complaints, compliments, and comments about whatever might be on their minds. Often there is a plethora of really tasteless remarks, now and then a clever comment or a downright funny observation. Sometimes people come up with enthusiastic praise or support.
Usually I enjoy it, whether or not I agree with the comments. And sometimes I think it is ridiculous and I can't believe I am slogging through those stupid remarks, one right after the other. The Opinion Line is a lot of things, but it is rarely dull. I always read it
A little closer to home, the Marion County Record has had an anonymous commentary column on its opinion page since the first of the year. As with the Eagle, comments by Marion folks range from angry to really angry to complimentary to attack mode to supportive to humorous. The opinions expressed are as varied as the people who have them. Early on people seemed to want to vent about things that had been bothering them for a long time — especially things about the newspaper or specific Hoch Publishing employees.
However, the paper is now several months into the project and in the past few weeks some of the contributions to the column have been thoughtful, positive, constructive opinions. It seems as if everyone had to get all that icky stuff off their chests so that they could move on to making the column work for the common good. It has been refreshing to read recent offerings. I think many come from people who would never have offered them had they not been able to do so anonymously.
What would you think about putting something like that in the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin? I have pretty much resisted this idea because I figure if I have to put my name to my opinion, then you should also. I must tell you though, that most people who disagree with what I write never say anything to my face. They rant, sputter, call me names, and pound the table behind my back and sometimes ignore me in public as if I am supposed to know why they are mad. And of course they always think I care.
But there are people who do care. People who worry what others think of them. And I expect some won't speak up or write a letter to the editor because they fear possible repercussions and backlash. They have good ideas, they have opinions and principles, but they just don't want to take a public stand. Those people might use an anonymous opinion column and it might be a great vehicle for getting more thoughts and ideas out where they can do some good.
So maybe a column like that would serve a purpose. Opinions would remain anonymous, but we would not print obscene or slanderous comments.
Let me know what you think about this. Are we opening a can of worms that won't do anyone any good or are we offering another avenue of expression for people of the community who might not feel comfortable expressing an opinion for whatever reason? No one is pushing this newspaper to dive head first into this plan and I have not been wildly enthusiastic about it. But if it is something you readers want, maybe we should look at it or give it a trial run. How 'bout it?
I have noticed that public figures are usually the people who take the heat in the Wichita column. You should know that in Marion quite a few people take the heat. Some of the comments have been cruel and ugly and they have been aimed at people from all walks of life. That's a "head's up" to let you know what might happen.
Be sure you realize that you could just as quickly become the focus of ridicule or comment as the person you are privately hoping gets hung out to dry if we put this column into practice! And isn't THAT one of life's lessons? I believe it relates to The Golden Rule!
— (Signing my name) Susan Marshall
