The Editor's Blog - Latest Comments in NashuaTelegraph.com: Web Notes

Re: NashuaTelegraph.com: Web Notes

Peggy L. Trivilino — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:20:31 -0000

What I found truly laughable about Mr. Charles' letter and what I feel destroyed any claim he might have had to credibility was his use of the phrase "generic buffoon". Given the content of the rest of his letter he obviously meant to say "geriatric buffoon". Anyone with such an imprecise grasp of English vocabulary really can't expect to have his opinion taken seriously.

Re: NashuaTelegraph.com: Web Notes

Charles Archibald — Sun, 04 May 2008 06:10:55 -0000

Perhaps one guidline to follow when deciding whether or not to print a particular letter is to insist that it be free of ad hominem attack that is nothing more than a diatribe about the person at the expense of a clear discussion of the issues. Surely Mr Charles'comments like "misguded relic", "her brain has atrophied..." and "double time it to meet your maker" are all derogatory references to Rep Betty Hall's age. I believe Mr. Charles crossed the line because he intended to inflict personal insult and pain on Rep Hall by appealing to the reader's feelings and/or prejudices rather than intellect. I would not have printed Mr. Charles' letter as originally submitted.

Re: NashuaTelegraph.com: Web Notes

Dave Burgess — Sun, 04 May 2008 03:18:08 -0000

Though I'm a Bush supporter, I must say that Ms. Hall, Mr. Mullinax, et al, have a right to be heard. The whole point of an online (or printed) discourse is to express views, and, of course, some will feel contrary to what's expressed.

I haven't read a single word that offends me on this subject, even though I disagree with some. However, unless an editorial (or a RAN comment) is blatantly offensive, I don't believe that it should be edited.

Re: NashuaTelegraph.com: Web Notes

John Weber — Sun, 04 May 2008 00:15:26 -0000

I found nothing wrong with Mr Charles' letter. His point of view and choice of language probably doesn't sway me towards his point of view, but I doubt that is his intention. He strikes me as the guy who's "mad as hell and not going to take it anymore". Seems to me that voice has as much right to be heard here as Betty Hall's.

Re: NashuaTelegraph.com: Web Notes

bobsr — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:15:30 -0000

There is nothing new here. Betty Hall has been an elected official from Brookline for many years, and has had similar stands on many issues. Apparently a majority of the good voters of Brookline find her views acceptable enough to return her to the General Court for frequent terms.

While many may agree with the sentiments of the writer of the first letter, some of the lanuage is clearly pejorative and probably over the top for a "letter to the editor," in my view. Older readers would find this language dis-courteous as a minimum and more of a personal attack on a duly elected Rep who has ALWAYS had these types of views. But also it has to be said that similar or worse sentiments are expressed in many internet fora.

So is this a double standard between the traditional "written press" and say a blog or other internet forum? Possibly. Does that mean emails for a letter to the editor should be perhaps somewhat "different" or more polite than what you might find on the net?

Yes, possibly. YOUcan make the decision for the editorial page tone, but have little control over the content of internet posts, however expressed, unless it is clearly foul language or perhaps "off topic" and can then not be accepted, based on the "loose rules" of internet posting on SOME sites.

Bottom line: this reader expects a higher standard for written "letters to the editor" compared with internet "spouting off"or other perhaps unfair or unwarranted posts with stream of consciousness thoughts.