Editor,
The majority of the letters to yourself that are published are typically written by people who are angry, have a superiority complex, hate Republicans, hate presidential candidate Mitt Romney, love Obama, hate the University’s president, provost, regents, etc., make insupportable statements, lack either knowledge of the topic they’re writing about or the ability to express it, don’t know how to open dialogue about touchy topics without ad hominem reasoning (e.g., “Romney is stupid”) or believe that being vulgar will make them seem “nonconformist” and highly intellectual. Opinion pieces and political articles in your paper are either pro-Democrat or anti-Republican. And your political cartoonist likes to create a sensation for laughs.
It’s kind of funny that I can read articles all over the internet about bullying, but the bullies I see the most are the ones you publish. Juan Tabone characterizes Republicans in his cartoons as backwater hillbillies who act like cavemen and spew hate-filled sentiments. Letters about politics often follow the same line of thought as last Wednesday’s letter to the editor, “How do I loathe the GOP? Let me count the ways…”
A few weeks ago, I heard someone say that the reason there are so few letters published that contrast this point of view is because no Republicans have written to the Daily Lobo, or because they’re too dumb to write a cohesive argument. If this isn’t bullying, then the definition has changed.
Bully v.
1. To treat abusively
2. To affect by means of force or coercion
3. To use browbeating language or behavior
Bully n.
1. A blustering, browbeating person, especially one habitually cruel to others who are weaker
2. Pimp
3. A hired ruffian
When people are bullied, they usually prefer to avoid putting themselves in a position that would open them up to more ridicule; hence, your lack of Republican letters and articles.
It’s strange to read a paper that can be so full of venom toward a political party, but also places an article about a man wearing dresses on the front page in an effort to support him. Apparently it’s okay to try to stop him from getting bullied, but it’s also okay to print articles that target a large group of people. It seems to me that this kind of journalism is extremely irresponsible, either because nobody is trying to maintain balance or because articles are purposefully being chosen in order to create a sensation.
If it’s the first, then please pay more attention. If it’s the second, then I wonder if you’ve considered the impact you’re making, because it definitely isn’t a positive one.
Paige Mowrer
UNM student
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