Sound Off for Oct. 5, 2008
Reader: I was interested to compare the Los Angeles Timesarticle you printed on Wednesday's front page headlined "Don't take Palin lightly, aides warn," by Stephen Braun and Tom Hamburger, with the version of the same story printed in the Times.
I realize it was a long article and you couldn't print it all, but two paragraphs you deleted were two that were critical of her. It seems to cause a furor in this community if she is criticized in any way.
Usually, I feel that your paper does a good job being fair to both sides.
-- Susan Newberg
Jenner: I'm impressed you noticed the difference. We did indeed delete those paragraphs, but not for the reason you think.
Those paragraphs contained harsh criticism of Palin from two former aides involved in her 2006 campaign for the Alaska governor's office.
Trouble is, the aides were not named.
We have a pretty strict policy regarding the use of anonymous sources. We believe it's important that our reporting be "on the record" whenever possible, with comments, and especially criticism, properly attributed to the critic.
As a part of that policy, when our staffers wish to use material coming from sources who don't want us to name them, senior editors have a conversation with the reporter.
We want to be satisfied that the source is credible and in a position to know what he or she is talking about and has a valid reason for not wanting to be identified.
Finally, we want to be sure there's no other way to get the information.
We obviously can't do that with stories written by other news organizations. Although there are times when anonymous sources will appear in wire stories, for the most part we apply that same standard.
Some readers may not realize that we select and edit wire stories involving the campaign with great care.
Our editors keep a close eye out for bias, and are instructed to delete it when they see it.
That's not to say we won't publish negative news about the candidates or their pasts. We have not shied away from printing critical news or information about any candidate -- as long as the information is verifiable and relevant.
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Reader: I would just like to thank you for putting the highest and lowest temperature in the nation back in the Weather section.
I called several weeks ago and asked if you could do that and I see that you have squeezed it in at the bottom of the Bakersfield record setting and all that.
I really appreciate it. I get a big kick out of seeing those temperatures. My friend, Janet York, also called you about this at the same time. She really appreciates it also. So it does pay to call in, doesn't it?
-- Mary Lynn Conley
Jenner: We can't please everyone, but if we don't hear from readers, we're left to assume you like what you're getting.
Thanks for noticing the change and for acknowledging it.
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Reader: The Californianhas launched a "thinly veiled" smear campaign and witch hunt against the Tilted Kilt for immodest outfits. Oh, Marylee Shrider would like us to believe the issue is all about breasts, but don't be fooled. After all, most of us fondled breasts for nutrition. And we all know that kids see way more skin at home, at the mall, on the Internet and at the beaches.
So, what is the real and sinister agenda here? I'm afraid it's the same old one of "faux" Christians dictating to the rest of us where we can go and what we can look at. However, there is nothing "Christian" about these arrogant folks, and they always forget Christ's most important warning and tenet: "Judge not lest ye be judged."
No, it isn't the Kilt waitresses who should stay inside -- it is Marylee. She's a "closet" Christian who should stay in the dark shadows with her obvious little agenda. One can only marvel at the gall and temerity of people who think their role on earth is to lecture to the rest of us while they slowly erode our rights and freedoms.
The Californianand Marylee have proven once again that moral "bullies" come in all shapes and sizes. As a protest to keep our constitutional rights, get to the Tilted Kilt as fast as you can!
-- Tom Jennings
Jenner: You're wrong on several points, Tom. First, there's no smear campaign. Second, Marylee didn't take issue with the Tilted Kilt's right to exist. She did, however, have a problem with the tavern taking the cast members and their outfits on a public road show.
Last but not least, Marylee Shrider is no "closet Christian."
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Reader: Your article about Boy Scouts of America implies that Mike Careatti was a camp director at Camp Kern as recently as two years ago. Mike was arrested in 2003 and his employment with Boy Scouts of America was terminated at that time. Although he was not formally sentenced until much later, he had no direct association with Scouting after 2003.
In the span from 2003 until 2007, Camp Kern was directed by several different outstanding men and women who treated their employees and campers with both the respect and integrity that one should expect from Boy Scouts of America. It is exceptionally unfortunate that Mr. Careatti made poor personal choices while employed by an agency that has the highest regard for strong moral values.
It is also sad to hear about alleged incidents from the summer 2008 camp season that draw negative attention to Scouting. I hope your reporters will make sure in follow-up articles to clarify that misbehaviors by several individuals do not diminish the large number of positive contributions made by other camp directors.
These comments represent my personal opinions and knowledge, and are connected in no official capacity with Boy Scouts of America or Southern Sierra Council, BSA.
Sincerely,
-- Suzanne Bunker-Kishimoto
Jenner: I didn't think our story was unclear, but in the event some readers were confused, thanks for clarifying.
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Reader: I had to write to say how much I appreciate your delivery man. He hangs the paper on my door. This is so helpful because I have poor balance and mobility. I bless him every day as I reach for the plastic sleeve.
-- Mary Carpenter
Jenner: Thanks for your readership, Mary, and for your lovely note.
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Reader: On behalf of the Animal Control Department of the Kern County Resource Management Agency, I would like to thank The Californianand its "Tails of Bakersfield" project for your generous donation of blankets and tin cans for storage. Your commitment to helping homeless animals in our community is sincerely appreciated.
Each year Kern County Animal Control continues to advance its mission of protecting and caring for the citizens and animals of Kern County through numerous public education and community outreach efforts. The goal of Kern County Animal Control is to provide humane care to homeless animals in the county. With the help of donation from supporters such as you, we will continue to see improvements in these areas.
If you have any suggestions as to how we may improve our service, please do not hesitate to contact me. My direct phone number is 661-868-7102.
Thank you again for your donation.
-- Guy Shaw, R.E.H.S., director
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Reader: I was really appreciative and congratulative of the coverage of the Stop the Violence movement in Bakersfield that was orchestrated by Wendell whose son was, I guess, murdered.
I live in a really bad neighborhood. I have children and if I'd have known they were marching, I'd have had my kids out there marching too. Like the rest of the community, I believe that the violence is out of hand and something needs to be done.
Again, I salute you for putting this coverage in the Local section. I don't understand why there was only one small caption under the picture on the Local cover and a photo inside showing four kids viewing the marchers pass by. I think it was a much bigger story. I could have actually seen it going on the front page, but then again, you're the editor and I'm just a person calling in.
-- Khalil Nash
Jenner: There are many worthwhile events in our community -- so many we can't write a story or shoot photos of every one.
I think you make great points, and I would've loved to have read a story, as well as viewed the photos.
Thanks for reading, and for writing us.
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Reader: In my opinion, Lois Henry's column should be discontinued in The Californian. What did she say? "Chad Vegas' repeated forays into cultural politics, getting winter/spring breaks, renamed Christmas/Easter ..." and "mandating 'In God we trust' posters in classrooms" and, "... crazy thing we call the Constitution" and, "... Vegas' attempt to shove his religion down our throats ..."
"I don't find that funny at all," she said.
I don't find anything she says funny.
When listening to Henry on Ralph Bailey's radio show, I labeled her as kind of a sharp-tongue. I usually agree with everything he says on his show; however, I think he should remove her.
-- Rena Butler
Jenner: Believe me, Lois wasn't trying to be funny.
Whether she appears on Ralph Bailey's show is up to her and Ralph.
And while I respect your opinion, I have no interest in discontinuing her column, which is hugely popular and one of the most relevant features in the paper.
