Letters to The Editor
December 16, 2008
Hey everyone that is on the current Wolfpack Press! I just want to say HOW IMPRESSED and AMAZED I am with this newspaper. I was the co-Editor then Editor in Chief not but 2-3 years ago! you have taken this to a new level! I am every excited to see where this newspaper has gone! This direction is very smart! I am now in college, and I work still very heavily with journalism! I enjoy it very much! I think back to the old days (although, not very impressed with some of the last issues before I left), I thought about HOW MUCH I Loved the Press! As I continue to look at this, I am NOTHING but amazed at how professional and expressive it is! Never give up on this NEVER! Continue to find the truth! If people stand in your way, find others that will lead you on! You may be young, but you are also OOO so Powerful! You have powerful allies out there, never hesitate to ask for ANY HELP from anyone, ESPECIALLY me! I know what you may be going through, it is important to network! VERY important! Again, please never hesitate to ask for anything!
I am VERY proud of you all! You did things I would have never thought of, or could never do! Thanks for continuing this expression of Freedom!
Casey Hayden
Editorial Response
Dear Casey
We’ll try to carry the torch. Thanks for your kind comments and for all you contributed to Park and to the paper.
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So I was reading your online newspaper and I have read the newspapers in the past that were not online and I have noticed something that has been bothering me. The newspaper does not have any stories about people who demonstrate values such as honesty, loyalty, respect. or courage. The school newspaper does not preach good values or any values at all. The paper just writes about boring stuff that most people at our school do not care about.
Your article entitled, “Senior Girls vs. Junior Girls?” is a perfect example of how the newspaper questions rivalry. I do not believe it should be questioned. We all go to the same school so there should not be a rivalry. Our school newspaper should promote good values such as
team work and respect.
I am just disgusted on how the school newspaper does not have any articles about integrity and honor.
Michael Dougherty
Editorial Response:
Dear Mr. Dougherty,
The Wolfpack Press is created for and by a wide range of students. We’re trying to provide a showcase for student journalists who are experimenting with responsible free speech. The site reflects the varied and messy views of the kids who have taken up the challenge of journalistic writing, so if you’re looking for straight up “preaching” or “teaching,”… sorry Cowboy; you’ve stumbled into the wrong corral. Try http://www.falwell.com/ You’ll find plenty of value preaching over there.
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A key part of “responsible” free speech is to listen to the opinions of the audience. It is completely ignorant to respond to your readers in such a demeaning and cynical way, especially when Mr. Dougherty’s letter constructively criticized the newspaper. Are you downplaying his right to free speech simply because it opposes your personal opinion? Such hypocrisy proves his point in that the paper and some of its writers need to focus on more responsible journalism.
If Mr. dougherty has a problem with what is in the newspaper why doesn’t he start writing articles. There is no point in complaining about a problem you have and not do anything about it. This is a “STUDENT” newspaper it is not the pioneer press. I find it very enjoyable reading about the creative things some of the newspaper staff comes up with. With the article that Dougherty had a problem, I thought it was funny and thats what i look for in the SCHOOL newspaper. So until Mr. Dougherty starts writing articles, I do not think he should downplay anyone else’s work!!!
Ok, John you are right about one thing, it is a SCHOOL newspaper. It is surprising how you say that I am not doing anything about my problems. What do you call “writing a letter to the editor” about? Hmm that apparently doesn’t mean anything at all. I would love to write for the school newspaper but the thing is they don’t let just anybody in. You have to be some straight A student and have views and values that are similar to all the other people writing for the newspaper. Apparently honor and integrity are shunned upon by them due to their pompous reponse to me earlier.
I know it is a SCHOOL newspaper. I guess I don’t blame our school for writing boring articles. I mean their audience consists of drama queens and young men who walk around with their pants half-way down.
All I ask is that they think about people such as myself who want to read something that is actually interesting. NOT SCHOOL DRAMA.
First of all Johnny boy you should stop and take ten seconds to think before you open your mouth. Mr. Dougherty had every right to downplay that article, as he is entitled to his opinion. If we never criticized eachothers work where would the motivation for improvement be? We would all melt together into a bland world of mediocrity, and motivationless monotony. If you enjoyed the article that’s great, you are also entitled to your opinion. Our ability to judge is a stair step to our ability to improve, and it is one of the greatest abilities we have as human beings. Mr. Dougherty wasn’t saying you had to preach anything, he was simply saying that more articles praising the exercise of good moral values should be included. You want the newspaper to expand don’t you? Well take the chance to listen to what the readers are saying.
heyy mike. Im a sophmore here at park and just about every day mrs. j runs around telling people how she need people to write for her. One of my friends told her that they are no good at writing. Mrs. J told them that she doesnt need some great journalist and that there is something out there for everyone. You may be better at writing then you know and i highly doubt that sweet old Mrs. J would turn anyone down being an english teacher she would probably help you. =) HIIII Mrs Jay
Brandon is absolutely right…. Frannie and the newspaper staff will be happy to help anyone, of any skill level, create an article for the paper.
And for those engaged in the discussion here: Flaming is fun; but if you really believe something, dig deep, think hard, organize your ideas and slam out a real article for people to read.
The student paper will always be what students make it. It reflects the interests of those involved. If students who like fashion write for the paper, it will be about fashion. If they like music, it will be about music. If they like politics, it will be about politics. If you want it to be about morality, it will be about morality. It’s that simple. If you don’t like the paper, write something. It’s your paper.
MJ