Letters to the Editor
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To repeat a more articulate thought
Another thought, worth repeating.
Because it bears repeating, here's Xrandadu Hutman from the previous post:
"...I really do think you owe Salon readers some basic answers about your own motives...you have denied having any preference...it is sort of tragi-comic the lengths you've gone to avoid being clear about your underlying viewpoints while affecting a tone of impartiality...
Let me just add one more thing for clarity, and in response to some of your (few) defenders: Nobody is trying to censor Joan Walsh or dictate what she can and cannot write. People are reacting honestly to her column when they say they find it distasteful and a violation of the high standards that Salon has adhered to in the past. Nor is anybody demanding that Walsh have the "correct" political position in terms of favoring Obama. I would be just fine with Walsh taking a strong pro-Hillary stance, if only she would simply admit it to readers and therefore pay people the compliment of being straightforward with them.
I don't blame you for being down on the various less-restrained, tactless Obama supporters who have been insulting (especially with sexist-type insults). I am down on them too, and I try not to be insulting to you, even though admittedly some of your rhetorical approaches make me angry...Salon readers, like me, expect you to simply apply even standards and to disclose your biases when you're writing on a subject."
I would also add: Joan I don't know how much control you have over Salon in general, but Salon is now marked by what things it no longer notices. Some of it is mentioned in passing, but never featured and rarely investigated in full.
Remember when Salon played a role in focussing attention on the treatment of injured vets? Remember when it had wide ranging cultural snark, instead of confined to one columnist on the weekends?
Remember when Salon had a cohesive image of quality, instead of being an annoying center with some decent writers who appear to be working on their own at the edges?
Manjoo's excellent critique of the post-fact world exists almost entirely within his own blog, with little interaction with the rest of Salon. I would love to see him engage you and your editorial choices - even if he decided you were just fine.
Honestly Joan, Salon has become a thing where a few parts are more than the sum of the whole. It's really sad. And the next Camille Paglia column will just be cap on the pathos.