SR.com Blogs | Ask The Editors

Why no coverage of impeachment debate?

Q. Just wanted to pass on to you that after a five- hour marathon on CSPAN discussing the impeachment of GW Bush, I was appalled not to see one mention of this in the press. I personally, as did my neighbors, thought that the points brought up on this program were pertinent and timely for our country. I personally was most disturbed by the civil rights issues.

It seems to me that if I gave birth to a rabbit tomorrow I would probably get international press. Why can't we discuss what's happening in this country? Please answer. ( Full post )

Junior Lilac Parade results will be in Thursday Voices

Q: I am a parent of a band student writing because I am upset that the newspaper did not print the results of the Junior Lilac Parade but referred readers to see a website. As a parent, I am aware of the tremendous time and energy put into preparing for a parade of this nature. The kids and families look so forward to opening the newspaper the next morning to see where they placed in the parade and they need to be able to see the results, cut them out, show them off or send them to family. We pay for the local paper to be able to read about local events, not to be referred to the internet. The paper has always printed the parade results in the past, why not this year? I hope and expect to be able to read the results of the Junior Lilac Parade in the Spokesman Review next May. Thank you. (Please print this letter in your paper).
Concerned Father
Spokane Valley ( Full post )

Publishing STA and Crimecheck editorials side-by-side?

Question: Wonder why the Spokesman-Review didn't consider running the Pro&Con editorials about the STA and CrimeCheck ballot issues side by side in today and yesterday editions. I know as a long time reader that the Spokesman-Review has done this similarly with syndicated columnists. The readership I believe would have been better served in this type of format.

--Mark ( Full post )

Do you archive stories electronically?

Question: By the way, how may editions of the S-R are there? Do they differ by time of day or by area of distribution or both? In general, how does content differ from one edition to the next? ( Full post )

Why no coverage of the Battery P Marines?

Question: At the suggestion of Becky Nappi, below is my disappointment and concern about the Spokesman's lack of coverage of the return of our Spokane Battery P Marines on Sunday. How could this happen - where is your military network? How could these brave men not even be mentioned in our only newspaper? And further - what will you do to make sure an event like this is not overlooked in the future? It is not too late to print SOMETHING!! Please advise when that will happen. ( Full post )

The space shuttle Columbia explosion

Question: What was the date on the historic page reprinted in Wednesday�s Spokesman-Review? ( Full post )

Did the Spokesman-Review report on interrogation discussions?

Question: I couldn't find this story (about the CIA interrogation tactics) in the S-R. Did I miss it? Or did you choose not to print it? ( Full post )

Is the S-R safe to use in a compost bin?

Reader Dave Kilmer called to ask if the S-R uses a soy-based ink and is therefore safe to compost. ( Full post )

Is that ketchup or catch up?

Question: I did not know whether to laugh or wonder if you are testing your readers' IQ. Scott Maben's last sentence [Northwest, Friday, April 4, 2008, front page] "But the boy vanished before police could ketchup with him." I thought ketchup was something that went on hamburgers. Just in case you are not smarter than a third grader, the police activity would be to "catch up" with him. ( Full post )

Why didn't the S-R cover recent education talks?

Question: I am beginning to wonder if you still have an education reporter. Dr. Terry Bergeson, state superintendent, came to Spokane in January to obtain final public comment on the newly revised math standards. I did not see any notification in the paper. The meeting, scheduled for the end of January, was canceled because of the weather. The SR said nothing.

Then, the OSPI's 15th Annual January Conference 2008 was held here in Spokane January 29-31. Dr. Bergeson and thousands of teachers, staff members and members of the general public attended to talk about education issues, including the revised math standards. Not a word about it was said in the paper - not before, during or after.

I called Sara Leaming to ask about the lack of coverage. She wasn't in, so I left a message. She did not call me back. I called the newsroom, and I was told that Dan Hansen said the paper was too busy covering the snowstorms. Not to be flip about it, but snow melts. The decisions made on math and science standards will haunt children in Washington State for years to come.

The canceled meeting from January was rescheduled for Feb. 9. Again, the public was invited to attend and give final comment to Dr. Bergeson and Dr. Nancy Stowell about the revised math standards. Local math advocates told me about the date, time and place of the meeting. Several interesting comments were made that day. The paper said not a word.

So what's up with that? I saw your editorial today on the school librarians. I have to tell you that your pro-education comments rang pretty hollow.

--Laurie Rogers ( Full post )

Reader: Do not misuse the word "schizophrenia"

Question: To the editors: I'm sure I'm not the only one who was offended by the letter to the editor labeling an abortion-rights stance as schizophrenia. The term was used several times, apparently as a substitute for split personality. My issue isn't with the pro-life opinion, but with the incorrect use of the term schizophrenia. This is truly a heart-breaking disease which afflicts many people, and to use it so casually referring to something completely unrelated was hurtful and unnecessary. Try substituting the word retarded, which was also used quite easily in the past, and you might see my point.
--Sue Haynes ( Full post )

Where's your Afghanistan coverage?

Question: I have noticed the lack of any news about military operations in Afghanistan. Can you please let me know why this is? Is there a block by the Pentagon/White House? Is it because there is a lack of reporters in Afghanistan? I have a son serving in the Green Berets there. Sure would be nice if I could pick up the paper and see something coming out of that God awful place. ( Full post )

Story, ad send mixed message

Question: Please tell me I�m not the only one who noticed the front page of the Today section yesterday (Tuesday, Jan. 22). Does anyone ever actually look at the page before it gets printed? ( Full post )

Does the newspaper favor certain candidates?

Question: I know the Spokesman leans a little to the Right but do you have to be so blatant? ( Full post )

Idaho reader: What recession?

Question: Your sub-headline on Friday, Jan. 11 "experts see region escaping full force of recession" is grossly irresponsible. We're in a recession?????? ( Full post )

Reader: Cartoon portrays Mormons negatively

Question: On Dec. 29 you ran a "cartoon" by Signe Wilkinson on page B5. I am surprised that in this day anyone would put "Morman Politians" in a separate category than they would "Christian Politians". "Mormons" are Christians and they believe in God our Eternal Father, in his son Jesus Christ, in the Holy Ghost and in the Bible, so long as it is translated correctly. In the past, persecution was intense because many believed they were not Christian and did not believe in the Bible. At times it is still reported that they are a "cult" rather than a Christian religion. To run that (cartoon) was a huge disservice to the "Mormon" religion. The only reason I can think of that Signe added the Mormon part in the cartoon is that there is a Mormon running for president, but the cartoon would have been just as good if it had lumped Mormons with the other "Christian Politicians" or unmentioned instead of singling them out as if they were neither Christian nor believers in the Bible. It would be no different than drawing "Catholic Politicians" with a picture of the Pope. Of course sometimes it is not such a bad thing to be separated from the "other or regular and usual" of any field. I would like to see a more unbiased coverage of the Presidential race by you (as you are the editor) and you should realize that cartoons influence a lot of people.

--Jeanie Gadberry ( Full post )

How come the Bonagofski family made front page?

Question: I read and reread the story about the Bonagofski family. Unless I missed the reason for the story to have made the front page of the Sunday 12/30/07 paper, I was left with the question why this story made the front page? ( Full post )

What happened to Spin Control?

Question: Why cut "Spin Control" out of the paper when it directly enhances the quality and veracity of your journalism? ( Full post )

Where's the B/Northwest section?

( Full post )

Why Christmas fund coverage over Iraq coverage?

Question: I would like to know why I open the paper this Saturday Morning to find on A6 That (US death in Iraq decline this month). Maybe this is a little more important than Christmas Bureau meeting record setting demand. It nice to see where my soon to be xpaper stands. The death toll going down no matter what your feelings on the war is a good thing and more good stories should be told. Not just the head line grabbing bad ones. ( Full post )