A reader posted this comment to one of my other entries:
"I too, congradulate you on reaching the spectacular number of 90 issues. I am a student and enjoy reading certain parts The Apple Leaf. Therefore I am sorry about having to post a negative review. There is no denying the fact that this paper is turning severly liberal, which I have no doubt you commend. I believe this because you are a pronounced democrat yourself and probably push your political ideals mercilessly onto your poor, inocent students untill they break under the strain and become brainwashed liberals. Don't get me wrong, there are many articles in your paper that are still worth reading, and I apreciate these. It is a fact, however, that the annoying liberal students have a monopoly on the opinion section. It is okay for people to have their opinions, and they are placed in the appropriate spot, but either let some conservatives at the opinions section or obliterate it completely. I have had enough of a paper more than half of the student body is unable to enjoy.
Again, great work on maintaining the quality of our treasured paper."
I felt this was an issue that deserves its own strand of discussion, and I encourage people to sound off on this topic. I also encourage each person to post his or her name; it helps understand the context. I am reluctant to respond to someone who says he or she is a student (without knowing who it is), but here goes:
First, anyone who knows me or the philosophy of The Apple Leaf knows that I seek as much of an open forum as possible. That means I want to read as many different opinions and perspectives as space permits. I know the editors welcome letters and guest columns.
Second, I don't mandate or limit the topics that are addressed on the pages of the opinion section. The writers select their own topics. I help them develop their topic -- and I frequently try to guide them to an original topic instead of just expressing a duplicate of an earlier column from someone else. I sure as heck don't force my ideas or views on a writer, and I have not mercilessly pushed my views on poor unsuspecting students. That is ludicrous.
Third, the newspaper staff currently has some very outspoken students -- young writers who have intense political beliefs. Those beliefs, this year at least, tend to lean to the left of the political spectrum. However, past years have included numerous students -- top editors, even -- who have had "conservative" views. There are arfticulate and intelligent conservatives on the staff now. They each have the same opportunity for a commentary as anyone else on staff.
In conclusion, if you have something you want to say, come out in the open and say it.
-- Wenatchee, Wash.
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12 comments:
So, wow, RUDE. It really tweaks me when people argue a subject they apparently have NO knowledge about. Logan does have his views on politics, and it is quite obvious what they are, and he does discuss them with his students, I know this because I am one of his staff members (WAWA). “push your political ideals mercilessly onto your poor, inocent students untill they break under the strain and become brainwashed liberals” and I can promise you that he in NO WAY does this. Here’s the proof: I am not a liberal nor a conservative (quite frankly I don’t know what I am, therefore I would be most moldable by his so called “brainwashing”) and I NEVER feel any pressure to agree with his veiws, I NEVER feel like he is pushing his veiws on his student, and I NEVER feel like I need to believe what he believes.
And, his newpaper probably does seem quite liberal, I can in no way argue that fact. But here is another fact, many of his staffers are very liberals themselves (I know them personally so I know this is a fact) and this is why the Apple Leaf appears to have such a liberal flair. And FYI it would be more than an understatement to say that I have been appolled by some of the articles in the newspaper. Infact, I have read some articles that leave me speechles, but I doubt very much that Logan chooses what does and does not go into it.
~Nick Sowle (wenatchee high)
First rule of bias: If someone wants to find a bias, they will find it.
Second rule of bias: The person who finds the bias is usually full of it.
I work at a paper where the publisher (thanks, opensecrets.org) has personally donated more money to the RNC than Barbra Streisand gave to the democrats last election cycle, and yet I get at least a call or letter a month from someone decrying our "liberal bias."
Liberal folks have more to complain about now, to be sure, and so, they will annoy the people who think there's nothing to complain about. So, the only conservative letters to the editor we've been getting are righties complaining about how the lefties are complaining. What else do they have to complain about?
But the whole notion that people become "brainwashed liberals" through higher (or heck, in your case, secondary) education is just ridiculous. There are several kids who hold on to the way they were tought to think, and there are those who consider the facts and decide it's best to be Liberal. Maybe these people should stop and think- if my kids can't hold on to their convictions in the face of education, maybe there's something wrong with those convictions?
To the whoever posted that comment:
The Apple Leaf is an open forum. As editor-in-chief of the paper, i highly value that there should be opposing views in the paper. I urge you or anyone with an opinion to please submit a guest column. And one more thing. If you are going to make a statement, at least take acountability for it.
--Sam Rechtin, Editor-in-chief of the Apple Leaf
A "liberal" who comes to his own decisions. Anyone who knows me would not put "brainwashed" at the top of a list of words describing me or anyone of the Apple Leaf.
It seems that any time someone from a conservative viewpoint (of which, I have some) does not like the so-called "slant" of the media, the dreaded L-word is thrown about--Liberal. The label gets tossed about so much that people believe it regardless of any fact or study to the contrary. I can't name the study off-hand (but do know where I can find it) where a non-partisan group studied the media in this country and found a strong majority of the media is in fact usually tilted towards the right.
As for the Apple Leaf (a paper I have seen grow enormously over the years), the staff works hard to account for all or to allow a voice to all. As the Loganite stated, there have been years slanted in the opinion column one way or the other but has generally presented both sides of an issue. If students desire a more conservative newspaper, then those students need to participate.
In this valley one slightly left of center production is a nice change from the typically conservative or neo-conservative viewpoints. Get involved and make change if you desire it.
Lastly, I have never seen the Loganite press his opinion on anyone. He does present a counter-argument; however, those of adequate knowledge regarding their own opinions should be able to defend their views when questioned. If not, then they do not truly understand the issue.
P.S. The Loganite rocks!
First off, I find it extremely amusing that someone would actually write what they did about the Apple Leaf, and Anonymously. They obviously didn't know what was in store for them. Second, I find it amusing that so many well-educated people defended what shouldn't have to be defended. Free speech is pretty self-explanatory. And, opinion is a right. Logan's students may know what his opinions are, but he is in no way attempting to convert them. If they take it this way, well, it is their right to take it as they will. You know, this whole thing, hilarious as it is, reinforces the point that people take things way too seriously. After all, all these people are still young and obsessed with the petty politics of everyday life (as well as politics in general) and people like me are already tired of it. How sad...
To everyone who has commented on this entry:
All the comments you have posted are some of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever read. At no point in your rambling, incoherent responses were any of you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone on this blog is now dumber for having read them. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your souls.
Billy Madison. Dir. Tamra Davis. Perf. Adam Sandler, Bridgette Wilson, and Josh Mostel. Universal Studios, 1995.
The only point of the Billy Madison reference was to inject a little humor into this otherwise dry political discussion. I certainly did not intend to pass the line off as original material; if I wanted to claim it as my own, I would have posted it under a name rather than anonymously. This is a blog, not a formal research paper. Lighten up.
Look, cheer girl, we're pretty much the same person. You know you, and I know you, and I know that you know that I know you. And you know that I know that I would never write anything with the intention of passing a movie line off as my own.
I sincerely hope that the above citation of the fine film "Billy Madison" will grant me immunity from any future lawsuits brought against me by Universal Studios and/or Mr. Adam Sandler. I realize that my plagarism has cost them hundreds of billions of dollars in movie sales, and that they will likely try to track me down and bring me to justice.
Of course, it might be slightly difficult for them to find me, or even to find out who I am, because I posted anonymously. Yes, anonymous. Meaning, lacking individuality, distinction, or recognizability. In other words, no one knows who I am; therefore, I received no credit and benefitted in no way from my comment.
If they ever do find me, they'll have to watch out. There are a buttload of gangs at my school; this one gang kept wanting me to join because I'm pretty good with a bowstaff.
Here at loganite.blogspot.com, I'm better than you. And I know it. I think you envy me, cheer girl; you're jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day, arent' you?
Cheer girl, your words are coarse, and rough, and irritating, and they get everywhere. Not like mine. In my comments, every word is soft, and smooth.
Just remember, cheer girl, on this blog, evil will always triumph, because good is dumb. Tomorrow, I will come back to this site to achieve victory. No man will comment on what Loganite has written, unless that man is me.
P.S.
I'd provide a full bibliography for this comment, but it might take awhile, and I want to go to bed. If you yearn to see my references so strongly, I'll provide them. However, I feel that they are unnecessary for such an informal format.
I sense a touch of sarcasm from Anonymous. I noticed many people using Anonymous. I wonder which one he/she is. Hmmmmmm....
Maybe Cheer Girl touched a nerve there for Anonymous the Many (or should I say the Mini?). Quite the diatribe over a citation issue.
Ignorance over the topic seems to have started this blog series. I still think the original comment about the slant of The Apple Leaf is obviously from someone with no intimate knowledge of the topic. I think someone is just looking to complain about an award winning, nationally recognized, and well run student newspaper.
Excellent work, Apple Leaf staff. Keep up the fantastic work!
I really like cake.
Wow, look at what I did. And all because of one little opinion. Am I not allowed to have personal opinions? I did enjoy reading all of your posts. To those who sincerely believe that I have no idea what I am talking about, you are wrong, I am in fact, on the Apple Leaf Staff. No... that was a joke, I am really not, sorry. And stop getting mad at the poor people who wish to remain anonymous. Why do think I posted anonymously? There is just way to much hostility on this blog. When I heard Loganite ask for people to post names, I was about to, but then I realized that people would bite my head off. Should I take Drpezz's word that he is a teacher at Wenatchee High just because he says so and has a fancy blue name? And unless the cake lover has anything else to say, I believe this topic is closed.
P.S. The main point of my post was, in fact, to create controversy. With, of course, a side order of my actual opinions.
Of course you're allowed to have personal opinions, and you can express them here and most anywhere else. As for the anonymous label -- maybe just come up with a catchy handle and then everyone will know which "anonymous" is you.
As for opinions where the sole objective is to create controversy: That's foolish. One item I know I have repeated MANY times over the years to dozens of publications staff members, their parents, my teaching colleagues, community members and everyone else is that controversy should not be a goal. Instead it is a by-product of good journalism. Having a good story or uncovering an important news item is the goal. If it provokes thought then good.
-- LHA
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