Sound Off for Dec. 28, 2008
Reader: Hopefully, when the country is trying to get back on its feet in the new year, The Californianwill find better things to do than make fun of three really nice guys -- Ken Mettler, President Bush and Joe the Plumber ("A caroling we go," Dec. 21).
I think if you look around you, it is the No on 8 people that are making threats, taking to the streets and doing everything they can to go against the majority vote, even going so far as to have Attorney General Jerry Brown attempt to void the public's vote.
What did Ken Mettler do? He stood his ground against a cocky guy who took advantage of a situation. I am sorry I don't see a song there.
I have never in all of my years seen so much disrespect shown a president than I have in these last four to eight years. The creep who threw the shoes was just that — a "disrespectful creep." He is NO folk hero.
And Joe the Plumber did not ask for the attention given him. He was thrown into the spotlight by none other than the media. The media who likes to make and break people. It is OK for them to follow around and hound individuals but oh, let that individual make a statement without the press approval and he becomes the butt of jokes.
You talk about not being able to afford to run crossword puzzles because that is equal to two reporters, yet you can afford to make fun of good people. Strange budget you all have.
— Irene Edmonds
Associate Editorial Page Editor Robert Price responds: A sense of humor helps now and then, Irene. The Opinion staff was simply making light of some of the year's more odd and interesting events.
No matter where you stand on same-sex marriage, you'd have to agree that seeing a member of a local school board taking a swing at somebody on a busy street corner was odd.
The Iraqi shoe-thrower indisputably became a folk hero in Iraq; we weren't suggesting he deserved that sort of status.
And surely you jest about Joe the Plumber not asking for all that attention, but rather being "thrown into the spotlight" by the media. The candidates mentioned him 26 times — count 'em, 26 — during the final presidential debate, and Joe became a staple of Republican stump speeches over the next month. Joe hated the attention so much he promptly went out and got himself an agent.
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Reader: Your article on the state budget Tuesday included quotes from many Democrats, some from the governor and some environmentalists. It is too bad you couldn't get a quote in from a Republican. They represent about 40 percent of the state but zero percent of the Associated Press' lap dog, The Californian.
Regards,
— Dennis Meyer
Jenner: I don't agree with your characterization of The Californian, but I do agree that the wire story you cite fell short of the mark: It absolutely should have included comments from Republican legislators.
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Jenner: I love to share fan mail with our readers, and thought we'd close the last Sound Off of 2008 on a positive note, with two notes sent to Californianreporters in the last week.
The first was sent to reporter Louis Medina for his moving story in last Sunday's paper of Brenda Hoschele's courageous struggle with a rare and devastating disease ("Getting by on faith, friends," Page A1).
The second was sent to reporter Shellie Branco about her story Friday about Bakersfield Music Theatre's struggle to keep Stars Theatre Restaurant operating.
Reader: I just want to thank you for the article that you did. I felt so honored that you choose my story to do. I hope that it has brought some inspiration to anyone who is struggling with loss or medical problems. That a positive attitude and faith in God will help you get through difficult times, no matter what the outcome. And it brought to light a disease that though it's very rare, is something most people would never have heard of. It was a pleasure to meet you and share this with you.
Thank you again.
God Bless,
— Brenda Hoschele
Reader: As one of the performers, I personally wanted to thank you, your editors, Ms. Moorhouse and the entire Californianstaff past and present for showing your support over the years and especially now for shining the proverbial "spotlight" on our plight.
As we always say, any press — even bad press — is good. (After almost 40 years of pounding the boards, people in Bakersfield and surrounding communities still say, "Gee, we didn't know you guys existed!")
I've devoted half my life to the organization; some people have done more. If the Bakersfield Music Theatre closes, it will certainly be a great loss to the community for years to come.
I do dare say, the generation of performers coming of age now will certainly feel the cut deepest.
With bated breath,
— Jason D. McClain
Actor, Director, Set Designer
