Sniffing barstools?

Question: I'm as progressive as I can be as a 50-something Spokalooite. But c'mon..."sniffing barstools" as a topic in the Friday entertainment section? I don't care if "7" is a feeble attempt to get younger people to read the daily newspaper, you folks have taken one deep step into the gutter.

Please don't tell me that, "if I'm offended, I don't have to read it." I want to know what I can do in Spokane on the weekend so I' going to open this section. Then, it was in the headline on the first inside page, so I was offended even before I got to read the citizens comments. The name of the article sums it up for The Spokesman-Review: "Bad choices." -- Al Gilson, Spokane

Answer: We've taken some complaints from readers who believe "7" is offensive for one reason or another. We've taken far more compliments from readers who find it interesting, stimulating, contemporary. We've had a few dropped subscriptions. But "7" is selling far more papers than Weekend. And our advertisers love it. Not all parts of the paper are for all people. I can only say again, if you see something in the paper you don't like, just pass it by. -- Steve Smith, editor

Posted by Steve :: 05:11 PM Jun 16

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Editors Steve Smith, Gary Graham, Ken Sands, Doug Floyd and Carla Savalli answer readers' questions about The Spokesman-Review's editorial decisions and operations. Submit your questions here.

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About Steve Smith

Steve Smith has been editor of The Spokesman-Review since July 2002. Before coming to Spokane, he served as editor of The Statesman-Journal in Salem, Ore., and The Gazette in Colorado Springs, Colo. Smith is married to Alexa Conway Smith, an independent computer consultant and has two children by a previous marriage, Sam, who is 17 years old, and Alissa, who is 13.

About Gary Graham

Gary Graham is managing editor of The Spokesman-Review. He recently moved to Spokane from Binghamton, N.Y., where he had been managing editor of the Press & Sun-Bulletin in for six years. Graham grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He graduated from Ball State University in 1972. He is married and has one son.

About Ken Sands

Ken Sands is managing editor of online and new media for The Spokesman-Review. He has been a reporter and editor at The Spokesman-Review since 1981. Ken grew up in Portland, Ore., and is a graduate of the University of Oregon. He and his wife have two children.

About Doug Floyd

Doug Floyd is editorial page editor of The Spokesman-Review. He moved to Spokane in 1969 after graduating from college and then spending three years in the U.S. Army. He is married and has two grown children and two grandchildren.

About Carla Savalli