Email sent to a newspaper:
I understand that newspapers such as the Austin American-Statesman (AAS) are
increasingly concerned about declining readership. Many years ago, I read
the AAS frequently. Pretty sure I was a subscriber at least some of the
time, though it's so long ago that I can't really remember for sure.
Therefore, I write on behalf of your lost readers, though I think I write
from the 'leading edge' of that trend. My main message to you is that I see
no sign of increasing attraction, either in general or as a result of
today's website visit (to be addressed below). If you're waiting for me to
resubscribe, I have to resort to the cliché: "Don't hold your breath."
First I'll address the general issue. Why would I want to read your
newspaper? As a media organization, I think you have only two real assets:
integrity and credibility. Do you speak the truth? And are you believed when
you speak it? As already noted, I don't have enough recent contact with the
AAS to address these assets specifically in your case, but I do think I can
say that if you were doing a better job, then the AAS would have emerged
visibly from the morass that is the modern MainStream Media (MSM). Since the
AAS has not 'emerged' in that sense, I'm just classifying you with all the
other MSM newspapers that I sample at random via recommended links to
articles on their websites. In summary, the MSM rarely tells the complete
truth, they often repeat unfounded and usually partisan lies, and why would
I pay them for 'information' that has to be cross-checked and verified? (By
the way, that even includes indirect payment via advertisers. No
click-throughs from me.)
These large issues go too far afield, though I could say much more on them.
Today, I visited your website for a highly specific reason, and I was quite
disappointed. I should have known, but optimistic to the last, eh? The
specific public issue which is troubling me is American-government-sponsored
torture. The specific information I sought was a list of the Texas
Representatives who joined the loser Senator Cornyn in opposing Senator
McCain's legislation against torture. I do know that some of the
Representatives from Texas were among the 112 members of the House that
voted futilely along with Cornyn, and I want to know if my Representative
from North Austin was among them. If so, I would like to start now in
supporting his political opponent, though there are only a few days left to
make such a donation in 2005. Perhaps the information exists somewhere in
the AAS website, but I think not. I think you simply ignored the issue.
Typical MSM behavior--and that's why I didn't even bother to write a "letter
to the editor" on the topic. (There's also the minor reason that I am in
general only an accidental reader of the AAS these years.)
My own belief is that such torture is an extremely serious matter that ought
to be receiving *MUCH* more coverage. When I first read about this issue (in
non-MSM sources), I was greatly offended and ashamed. I felt that I should
express my outrage to the 'Senator'--who is certainly failing to represent
me. I do not know if I succeeded, though I do know that I never received any
response from him or from his staff. I think it most likely he never got my
message because it isn't the sort of thing he wants to hear, and he has no
sincere interest in representing anyone who doesn't agree with him. Cornyn's
only concern is with his *LARGE* campaign donors.
Following is a copy of the message I attempted to send to Cornyn:
Your name appeared on a list of the nine Senators who opposed Senator
McCain's anti-torture amendment. If that is incorrect, then please provide
me with the corrected list and I will apologize. However, I think my source
was reliable, and that you did vote against this amendment. Speaking
specifically as an honorably discharged veteran, I wish to express my
strongest displeasure and outrage at your action.
Torture does *NOT* work. It does not produce reliable information, but
merely encourages the victim to say or do anything that he or she believes
will stop the torture. Even worse, it destroys the humanity of the torturer.
On the other hand, it does work for our enemies, inspiring them to greater
hatred for our evil actions and helping them to recruit more extremists to
oppose that evil.
I do not see any basis for attempting to reason with you about this issue.
If you think there are *ANY* cases where torture is justified, then I regard
you as insane. As I started writing, I was going to suggest that I would
consider your explanation for your action, but as writing clarified my
thinking, I realized that would be a waste of our time. Instead, I simply
strongly encourage you to withdraw from politics and from any form of public
visibility. I will certainly vote against you, and do everything I can to
encourage other people to vote against you. Though I can't vote against your
eight torture-loving peers, I will donate money to their opponents--and of
course to your opponent. I certainly hope that your political career is
over. You make me feel shamed that such a madman can claim to be my
political representative.
Not much point in sending this, is there? However, I've taken the time to
compose it, and it's barely conceivable that you can send me some response
that would convince me you have recovered your sanity.
For reference, I've left the list [of Senators advocating torture] here:
>> Wayne Allard, Colorado
>> Kit Bond, Missouri
>> Tom Coburn, Oklahoma
>> Thad Cochran, Mississippi
>> John Cornyn, Texas
>> James Inhofe, Oklahoma
>> Pat Roberts, Kansas
>> Jeff Sessions, Alabama
>> Ted Stevens, Alaska
