The Slice: Once you set foot in the tower, you’re part of the family

Here are a few more snippets from old letters to the editor in which SR readers offered commentary on the advisability of the newspaper continuing to employ yours truly.

“The Spokesman Review should never allow ‘Slicy’ references to sex in Paul Turner’s column, The Slice.” – Dec. 28, 2000

“To us, and to other regular listeners of KPBX, the comments are sarcastic and narrow-minded.” – Jan. 23, 2002

“Paul Turner’s negativity about Spokane does not help in making Spokane a better place to live and raise our children.” – June 11, 2002

“It was more of that old, provincial, patronizing attitude that Spokane has always had concerning the Valley.” – Oct. 15, 2002

“Wow, Paul, just when I thought your hubris was at its height …” – Jan. 4, 2004

“What was Paul Turner thinking …” – July 6, 2004

“Please get rid of Paul Turner’s Slice before I scream.” – July 17, 2005

“I take offense at Paul Turner’s Dec. 18 column (‘We all have our reasons to celebrate.’)” – Dec. 25, 2005

“I was absolutely appalled at Paul Turner’s column Oct. 8 (‘Second and third chances.’)” – Oct. 19, 2006

OK, as fun as this is, it’s getting repetitive. So let’s skip over half a dozen years and finish with a delightful opening from what might be my all-time favorite letter to the editor.

“I’ve been perusing The Spokesman Review for a number of years now, and I have a question: Is Paul Turner related to someone in the Cowles family?” – April 15, 2012

The dit hit the fan: “I have a friend whose wife was a ham radio operator, back when you had to know Morse code to get your license,” wrote Dennis DeMattia.

Once she entered a room where a couple of good old boys were using Morse code to tap out messages to each other.

The two men looked up and noticed what DeMattia characterized as the woman’s “considerable attributes.”

They began commenting on same via Morse code.

Yes, they were surprised when she walked over and tapped out a coded message telling them just what she thought of them.

Today’s Slice question: What’s the best best-written book you ever hated?