Public Editor: A self critique

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

By Mike Bressler

As public editor, I comment on the past week’s articles and issues. I have an observation about my column from two weeks ago. I mentioned an assessor candidate’s statement about hippies at the library. The statement was made in an effort to solicit support at a public campaign event; however, as there are only three candidates running, I shouldn’t have identified the office; one assessor candidate, Dawn Johnson, courteously asked me to announce that it was not her.

We all have things that piss us off, someone’s hair is not styled in modern fashion, their skin is not the right tint, their political ideals too liberal or too conservative, their lawn is not mowed to the specified length; maybe the pathetic bastards root for the Dallas Cowboys. However, elected officials are responsible to all citizens. There are good reasons to oppose or support projects, but no one should oppose the rodeo grounds because they don’t like cowboys, the hill climb because they don’t like snow machines, or the bike path because bright jerseys and biker shorts are ugly. I’m sure all candidates will wear the hat of their office without allowing personal prejudices to color their decisions.

A historical note: the last hippies disappeared from Jackson in the 80s. Some moved to Boulder, some to Vermont, the rest traded their VW buses for Saabs, their chamomile tea for double-shot lattés, their custom bead businesses for a real-estate license. One shaved his head and married a newspaper publisher.  
Matthew Irwin is impressed the Weekly has been accepted by the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies and wants to thumb his nose at “paper-haters.” Paper-haters read our articles and take the time to express their opinions online; paper haters are our best customers. Also if the Weekly is sharing company with Village Voice and LA Weekly, shouldn’t we all get a raise? JHW


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Public Editor: A self critique | Planet JH News Article: Editorial

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