SR.com Blogs | Ask The Editors

Publishing STA and Crimecheck editorials side-by-side?

Question: Wonder why the Spokesman-Review didn't consider running the Pro&Con editorials about the STA and CrimeCheck ballot issues side by side in today and yesterday editions. I know as a long time reader that the Spokesman-Review has done this similarly with syndicated columnists. The readership I believe would have been better served in this type of format.

--Mark ( Full post )

Do you archive stories electronically?

Question: By the way, how may editions of the S-R are there? Do they differ by time of day or by area of distribution or both? In general, how does content differ from one edition to the next? ( Full post )

Why no coverage of the Battery P Marines?

Question: At the suggestion of Becky Nappi, below is my disappointment and concern about the Spokesman's lack of coverage of the return of our Spokane Battery P Marines on Sunday. How could this happen - where is your military network? How could these brave men not even be mentioned in our only newspaper? And further - what will you do to make sure an event like this is not overlooked in the future? It is not too late to print SOMETHING!! Please advise when that will happen. ( Full post )

The space shuttle Columbia explosion

Question: What was the date on the historic page reprinted in Wednesday�s Spokesman-Review? ( Full post )

Did the Spokesman-Review report on interrogation discussions?

Question: I couldn't find this story (about the CIA interrogation tactics) in the S-R. Did I miss it? Or did you choose not to print it? ( Full post )

Is the S-R safe to use in a compost bin?

Reader Dave Kilmer called to ask if the S-R uses a soy-based ink and is therefore safe to compost. ( Full post )

Is that ketchup or catch up?

Question: I did not know whether to laugh or wonder if you are testing your readers' IQ. Scott Maben's last sentence [Northwest, Friday, April 4, 2008, front page] "But the boy vanished before police could ketchup with him." I thought ketchup was something that went on hamburgers. Just in case you are not smarter than a third grader, the police activity would be to "catch up" with him. ( Full post )

Why didn't the S-R cover recent education talks?

Question: I am beginning to wonder if you still have an education reporter. Dr. Terry Bergeson, state superintendent, came to Spokane in January to obtain final public comment on the newly revised math standards. I did not see any notification in the paper. The meeting, scheduled for the end of January, was canceled because of the weather. The SR said nothing.

Then, the OSPI's 15th Annual January Conference 2008 was held here in Spokane January 29-31. Dr. Bergeson and thousands of teachers, staff members and members of the general public attended to talk about education issues, including the revised math standards. Not a word about it was said in the paper - not before, during or after.

I called Sara Leaming to ask about the lack of coverage. She wasn't in, so I left a message. She did not call me back. I called the newsroom, and I was told that Dan Hansen said the paper was too busy covering the snowstorms. Not to be flip about it, but snow melts. The decisions made on math and science standards will haunt children in Washington State for years to come.

The canceled meeting from January was rescheduled for Feb. 9. Again, the public was invited to attend and give final comment to Dr. Bergeson and Dr. Nancy Stowell about the revised math standards. Local math advocates told me about the date, time and place of the meeting. Several interesting comments were made that day. The paper said not a word.

So what's up with that? I saw your editorial today on the school librarians. I have to tell you that your pro-education comments rang pretty hollow.

--Laurie Rogers ( Full post )

Reader: Do not misuse the word "schizophrenia"

Question: To the editors: I'm sure I'm not the only one who was offended by the letter to the editor labeling an abortion-rights stance as schizophrenia. The term was used several times, apparently as a substitute for split personality. My issue isn't with the pro-life opinion, but with the incorrect use of the term schizophrenia. This is truly a heart-breaking disease which afflicts many people, and to use it so casually referring to something completely unrelated was hurtful and unnecessary. Try substituting the word retarded, which was also used quite easily in the past, and you might see my point.
--Sue Haynes ( Full post )

Where's your Afghanistan coverage?

Question: I have noticed the lack of any news about military operations in Afghanistan. Can you please let me know why this is? Is there a block by the Pentagon/White House? Is it because there is a lack of reporters in Afghanistan? I have a son serving in the Green Berets there. Sure would be nice if I could pick up the paper and see something coming out of that God awful place. ( Full post )

Story, ad send mixed message

Question: Please tell me I�m not the only one who noticed the front page of the Today section yesterday (Tuesday, Jan. 22). Does anyone ever actually look at the page before it gets printed? ( Full post )

Does the newspaper favor certain candidates?

Question: I know the Spokesman leans a little to the Right but do you have to be so blatant? ( Full post )

Idaho reader: What recession?

Question: Your sub-headline on Friday, Jan. 11 "experts see region escaping full force of recession" is grossly irresponsible. We're in a recession?????? ( Full post )

Reader: Cartoon portrays Mormons negatively

Question: On Dec. 29 you ran a "cartoon" by Signe Wilkinson on page B5. I am surprised that in this day anyone would put "Morman Politians" in a separate category than they would "Christian Politians". "Mormons" are Christians and they believe in God our Eternal Father, in his son Jesus Christ, in the Holy Ghost and in the Bible, so long as it is translated correctly. In the past, persecution was intense because many believed they were not Christian and did not believe in the Bible. At times it is still reported that they are a "cult" rather than a Christian religion. To run that (cartoon) was a huge disservice to the "Mormon" religion. The only reason I can think of that Signe added the Mormon part in the cartoon is that there is a Mormon running for president, but the cartoon would have been just as good if it had lumped Mormons with the other "Christian Politicians" or unmentioned instead of singling them out as if they were neither Christian nor believers in the Bible. It would be no different than drawing "Catholic Politicians" with a picture of the Pope. Of course sometimes it is not such a bad thing to be separated from the "other or regular and usual" of any field. I would like to see a more unbiased coverage of the Presidential race by you (as you are the editor) and you should realize that cartoons influence a lot of people.

--Jeanie Gadberry ( Full post )

How come the Bonagofski family made front page?

Question: I read and reread the story about the Bonagofski family. Unless I missed the reason for the story to have made the front page of the Sunday 12/30/07 paper, I was left with the question why this story made the front page? ( Full post )

What happened to Spin Control?

Question: Why cut "Spin Control" out of the paper when it directly enhances the quality and veracity of your journalism? ( Full post )

Where's the B/Northwest section?

( Full post )

Why Christmas fund coverage over Iraq coverage?

Question: I would like to know why I open the paper this Saturday Morning to find on A6 That (US death in Iraq decline this month). Maybe this is a little more important than Christmas Bureau meeting record setting demand. It nice to see where my soon to be xpaper stands. The death toll going down no matter what your feelings on the war is a good thing and more good stories should be told. Not just the head line grabbing bad ones. ( Full post )

Where's Bert?

Question: I noticed in yesterday's Business Section (12/16) that Bert Caldwell's regular Sunday column was gone, with no explanation that I could find. Actually, I've heard that he's been sacked, at least his column (weekday columns as well?). What's up, SR? I've been enjoying Bert's columns for years, and unlike other columnists who seem to provide little more than enjoyment, Caldwell's columns are very informative. Frankly, I'm not a hard-core business news junkie, yet I've found Caldwell's columns to give folks like me a real clear insight into the workings of local and regional business, as well as governmental issues that affect business. If it's true that his columns are gone, what a loss, and what a shame that you made no reference to his departure. I understand that times are tough in the newsprint business these days, but do you really think that cuts like this will increase readership or advertising dollars? I don't get it, and I'm very disappointed. ( Full post )

Can comics with mature content be moved to another page?

Question: I'm writing to express my concern with a particular cartoon that captures the first spot in the Sunday comics. Our daughter at three is interested to know about what is going on with the characters. I enjoy reading them to her and will screen out cartoons that are beyond her years. What does bother me are the depictions in Opus which I am my family find offensive. A few examples that I can think of off hand include tattoos, cigarette smoking, obnoxiously portrayed clevage and protruding butt cracks. While I find the subject matter would be inappropriate for older children who can read, as we are not yet to that point, it is the more visually offensive aspects of the comic that I believe to be inappropriate for children.

What I would ask is why not section off the comics with an adult audience so that children can have a more family friendly version of the comics. -- Tim Lovell ( Full post )