Why print only 'junk science' letters?

Question: I am a concerned citizen supporting fluoride. I have sent letters which have been published, however I have several friends and acquaintances that have sent letters regarding the benefits of fluoride and you choose not to print those. I have seen too many anti-fluoride letters that are pure garbage compared to very few pro-fluoride letters. Why aren't the pro-fluoride people getting equal space?

I am a retired health care administrator, I believe in medical science. I don't believe in junk science. You have been printing junk science. -- Joyce McNamee, Spokane

Answer: All letters are held to the same criteria, regardless of ideological point of view. Among those criteria are length, frequency and the presence of a signature and other information necessary for the verification process. Anyone who has submitted a letter and is concerned that it has not been processed should inquire directly by phoning me at 459-5466 or e-mailing me at dougf@spokesman.com. -- Doug Floyd, editorial page editor

Posted by Ken :: 01:53 PM Jul 1

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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