SOUND OFF: Some thought our Postal cover was a turkey
| Monday, Dec 12 2011 04:00 PM
Last Updated Monday, Dec 12 2011 04:00 PM
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Reader: Regarding your Dec. 6 article on the United States Postal Service: I have been an employee of the postal service for over 13 years at our local processing plant on Pegasus Drive.
Though I do agree with your article and the impact it will have on our community and the United States, on behalf of myself and my co-workers I am greatly offended by your picture of our goose being cooked. The closure of our local plant could greatly impact some 200 plus employees.
The Postal Service has provided myself the means to support my four children as a single mother. I do agree that the postal service's poor financial decisions had a part in our demise, but in the past 13 years I have seen the dedication that our employees have; [they have] to work hard to get the mail out. Many of us work graveyard shifts, 12 to 13 hours a day. We as employees are not to blame for these financial decisions, but are the ones paying for them.
Next time you think of publishing a picture poking fun at our livelihood, think of people like myself that are up at 4 a.m. working hard to get your mail.
To you. On time.
Thank You
Carrie Wilkinson
Bakersfield
Reader : I'm calling regarding the front page and the article on the United States Postal Service. Instead of an American Eagle being represented there is a turkey, as if on a platter. I find that highly offensive and disrespectful to the U.S. Postal Service and government.
I would like to know whose decision it was to have that depiction as well as what it is supposed to be representing because it does not represent the United States of America Postal Service.
(no last name given)
Arthur: Our cover was edgy but meant no disrespect to hard-working postal service employees or to the American Eagle.
As the story inside noted, the postal service is experiencing severe financial problems, which is the reason that some mail services may have to be curtailed.
When the Pegasus Dr. facility earlier was placed on something of an "endangered" list, we covered the story closely, interviewing postal managers, union officials and employees, and we pointed out immediately how many Bakersfield jobs might be lost.
Our page 1 designer came up with the illustration and I approved it. However there was (and remains) some confusion as to whether the bird on the top was supposed to be the eagle, a turkey or a cooked goose. The designer said it was the eagle and, if you turn it upside down, that becomes more clear.
The point, and the only point: the postal service is in trouble. No offense was intended.
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Reader: Curious as to why there is no comment link on this thread (at bakersfield.com). On your Local News web page there are 20 story links and all but four of them have a comment link. Is this an oversight?
Thank you,
Teresa I. Roberts
Bakersfield
Arthur: Thanks for asking.
It is our general practice to disallow comments on crime and court stories. Unfortunately, we've found over the years that these stories tend to attract many comments that are hurtful or prejudiced in one way or another. We don't have the resources here to monitor all comments on all stories on a real time basis so we simply shut down comments on stories we think might attract the wrong reaction.
This is why you occasionally will see stories that don't allow comments.
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Reader: As a parent of two boys that attend Centennial High (one that is in WE THE PEOPLE class) I must say how disapointing it was that most of your article [last Sunday} and ALL of your photos had to do with PAST champions Arvin High. The young men and women of Centennial High deserved better! So congratulations and good luck to all the students in Centennial's WE THE PEOPLE class.
From a proud parent.
Phillip Gernes
Bakersfield
Reader: I am, at best, puzzled by your coverage of the "We the People" event, printed on Sunday.
There were two fine photos of the Arvin team and none of the winning team, Centennial High School. The article appeared to give Arvin equal, if not more coverage than Centennial.
Don't get me wrong. The Arvin team certainly deserves its place in the sun, and, in fact, I have financially contributed in years past to facilitate Arvin's ability to send the team to the state competition in Sacramento. And I am biased this year because my grandson was on the Centennial team.
Nonetheless, it seems to me that the winning team is entitled to its place in the sun too -- with photos and appropriate recognition. Centennial did not get this from you.
David B. Stanton
Bakersfield
Government Editor Christine Bedell, who was on duty last Saturday, replies:
As the editor who worked two extra hours, until 8:45 p.m., to make sure we had a story with quotes from the winning team members and photos of the winners online, I'd like to respond.
Our weekend photographers cover multiple events and the only time we could shoot the We the People assignment was during the day -- when we had no idea who the winner would be. And frankly, sometimes the best photos turn out to be of people who didn't win.
Cognizant of the fact our best photos might not be of the winners, reporter Antonie Boessenkool stayed at the event, which was running late, until the very end so she would at least get good color and quotes from the winners for her story -- which she did.
And when the Kern County Superintendent of Schools forwarded us photos of the winners late in the day, we attached them to the story online. This feedback forum is designed to give readers a way to voice criticisms and compliments or ask questions about news coverage. Your questions -- which may be edited for space -- are answered each Sunday by Executive Editor John Arthur. Sound Off
