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The Chronicle goes after "Headlines"

CHRONICLE RESPONSE 'BOTTOM-FISHING'
The Centralia Chronicle editorial about the Headlines editorial was - and this is putting it politely - bottom-fishing among the worst of the most depraved opinions they've printed in the past.  Whether it's the so-called "Dirty Dozen" guiding Lewis County government to adhere to Washington State law, or experienced, hardworking Democrats seeking office, there are no murky depths to which the editors of the Chronicle will not go, repeatedly, to make their sorry point.  That said, it's a mystery that the local markets do not sell the paper at the check stand alongside the Enquirer and such.

The Chronicle has never been known to be aware of the exact location of the political center of our country, even in their less disgusting editorials.  We are there in the political center, and we recognize the Chronicle as attempting to push  public opinion to the right, rather than reflect it as they claim they do.  But the best we could hope for is that, at least in their public appearances, the editors would restrain themselves from describing certain local citizens with four-letter epithets.  It's not in the best journalistic tradition. 
Don Reinseth

 

THANK HEAVENS...
Thank heavens I live in Cowlitz County as our newspaper is a lot more tolerant of Democrats.
Cheryl Sharkey

 

CHRONICLE BLASTS LOWERY...AGAIN!
I hear the Chronicle has blasted Jim Lowery AGAIN. I subscribed to the paper for over 40 years, but I no longer take it. For a while, I thought I was on the wrong page doing so. But after the snit I witnessed by the Publisher, and knowing the inappropriate actions of the Editor, I think maybe the best place to read it is out of the waste can.

I heard today the paper blasted our fine citizen Jim Lowery again without evidence. I would think if they write about a man of integrity, the facts would be present. Innuendo's seem to be only play in their book.

Jim Lowery was the finest candidate I ever interviewed for County Commissioner since I have been involved with politics here in Lewis County. What else can I say?  The facts are simple; no matter what I say or anyone else has to say, ink is bought by the barrel and will be printed in our local paper with their slant. (WATER and INK RUN DOWNHILL the last I checked) 

Perhaps it is time for a little competition or actions to promote press diversity in this county.

The drum I have heard says, if ya don't play balls with the editorial page ya may not have one, a job that is. (SWECKER ya just don't vote the way they told you to!)
 
Anyone ever WONDER why a citizen isn't on the editorial board? CONTROL OF THE INK I THINK.
Bob Guenther 

 

If They Are Going to Dish It Out...
When my husband finished reading "Our Views" on today's "Chronicle's" Opinion Page, he showed it to me.  My first reaction was to giggle and opine, "My, my that Editorial Board is awfully thin-skinned to be involved in the world of journalism!"  
 
Then I read the entire column and my giggles turned to anger as I realized "the journalists" were using the questioning of their fairness by HEADLINES to yet again denegrate Jim Lowery - whom I know to be an honest, ethical, hard-working former public servant.
 
Having read this morning's HEADLINES and the temper-tantrum-provoking "Chronicle Watch", I honestly do not understand why the Editorial Board is so exorcized.  I mean, if they are going to dish it out, they'd best be prepared to get it thrown back in their face.
 
Let's begin with Tuesday's column in which they took to task the Democratic State Party for the anti-Rossi ad with "The Sopranos" theme music in the background.  This is OLD NEWS, people!!  The Seattle television stations covered the story last Thursday and by then the ad had been revised.  So why does "The Chronicle" whine about it five days later?
 
Moving on to today's column: what's this about "an e-mail blast from the Lewis County Democrats?  Its title is 'Headlines' . . . "  There's no "blast" about it.  One receives it via e-mail ONLY after one has subscribed (for free) to it.  Not very fair of "The Chronicle" to lead its readers into thinking differently, is it?
 
The column goes on to reference the ad mentioned above as "racist-toned".  I truly hope that the next time there is a vacancy on the Editorial Board, "The Chronicle" management will attempt to find someone with a finely-tuned working knowledge of the English language.  The word "race" refers to only three groups: Caucasoid, Negroid and Mongoloid.  I suppose what they meant to write was "ethnic-toned".  As an Italian-American, I resent being thrown into some non-existent fourth race.
 
"The Chronicle" is NOT fair and, I doubt, ever will be.  Case in point: seventeen days ago at the Democratic State Convention, Bob Guenther was elected to join his wife Judy as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in August.  To date there has not been one word reporting this fact nor one editorial congratulating the Guenthers on this fete.  They are only the third and fourth Lewis County Democrats EVER elected to the National Convention.  Can any sane resident of Lewis County tell me that if the Guenthers were Republicans elected to the Republican National Convention this news would not have been reported under banner headlines by the oh-so-fair-and-balanced "Chronicle"?  
 
Today's "Our Views" actually attempts to poke fun at the fact that HEADLINES is not a big fan of the current President; does not, as a rule, print articles in support of Republican candidates; and does support Democratic candidates and Progressive causes.  That's right, folks.  It is the "Lewis County Democrats Headlines"!!  On the other hand, perhaps our local newspaper, in an effort to be honest about it's intentions and biases should be renamed "The Lewis County Republican Chronicle."     
Holly McNutt

All Democrats should support our candidate
By Albert M. Forget
(May 27, 2008) I am concerned that we may be in a heap of trouble from what I have heard from a number of women recently.

I would hope that if Obama is the candidate, supporters of Hillary will vote for him.

It would be a horrible thing for Sentator Clinton's legacy to be that of a "spoiler" should Obama not win the General Election because Hillary's supporters withheld their vote or, even worse, voted for the Republican candidate.

We are all Democrats and, no matter any bias we might have, should support the candidate who runs in our name for the Presidency in November.

 

Qualified woman might be what the country needs

By Cindy Hadden
(May 14, 2008) Women in every color and culture work harder and prove themselves longer.  That’s why a women’s ability to reach the White House steps, a route designed with colorful detours, has dragged on.  Many people are unaware women have only been allowed to vote since 1920.  A qualified woman might be what this country needs.  Why risk loosing this historically remarkable opportunity to break the glass ceiling over respect and equal pay?  We could forever end that injustice.

Why haven’t we seriously talked about prejudices and race?  Could it be that first we have to get it right on ending the inequality of the human being spieces?   How much could we accomplish with a humankind that is equally whole, empowered to work together? 

The action of seeing a woman sworn into the highest office would transform hearts and minds around the world.  I’m sad Barack Obama interferes with that goal.  Why not support it, giving recognition to American women and allies whose 40 years of work has come?  Why is that?  Is it because he too plays a subtle race card and feels he doesn’t have to?  He says we need him this election because change is needed, but admits it’ll take time.  Why didn’t he see to it his name was on Michigan and Florida ballots?  Where was his insight on the foreseeable fight over voter disenfranchisement?  Many saw that coming.  I celebrate his future.  We share his aspirations, but frighteningly like Bush, Obama was rushed to popularity as somewhat unknown. 

My last letter to The Chronicle was responded to by another writer who suggested that when a woman becomes president, she wants to be proud of her.  Fair enough.  But is that yet another higher standard?  

I am blessed to have been born in America, but there hasn’t been a president in my adult lifetime who has made me feel all that proud.  There was Nixon (enough said).  Reagan cut the Middle Class in half,  illegally sold weapons to Iran then lied about it, and took credit for ending the Cold War when Russia’s economy broke; much like ours is breaking. 

We forgive people for misdeeds and little white lies, right?  After all, we watch Oliver North tell War Stories on Fox and Senator Bradley endorsed Reagan’s Contra action, now endorses Obama.  Bush turned what’s left of the “little middle” the Clinton years built up, to the new Upper Poor Class.  Obama doesn’t see them.  Bush crushed Separation of Church and State, giving your tax dollars for the first time to fundamentalist religious and tax free groups, a program Obama wants to continue.  And Bush is erasing our borders; sovereignty without a national discussion.  He’s not concerned with civil rights, the Constitution, or lying us into the Iraq War. He believes he won’t be held accountable while living because history still writes books about our first president. 

Obama should debate Hillary one on one!  Why not give the equal half of the imperfect human spieces her chance?  McCain evolves on issues like a chameleon.  I heard him say he would return the Draft!  We know Hillary well, her life an open book.  We know her work, her mistakes, her growth, her goals and what she will do.  I am proud and honored to be backing her.  If all else fails, she’s demonstrating the will needed to fight continued bias, and the incredible strength future female contenders will need to be elected President.

One day, hopefully soon, women will be allowed to lead as well as vote.