Shame on the Standard for bias opinion
This is in response to your Sunday editorial, our viewpoint, July 21, titled “Slanted Opinions.” I cannot find the word slanted associated with the word opinion in any dictionary. I do find an opinion is a conclusion or judgment held with confidence, but falling short of positive knowledge. The word slant in literary matters is to express a special attitude, or bias. Therefore in your Sunday editorial you were defending your bias opinion.
I am shocked and disappointed your powerful newspaper would admit to bias opinions, which represents the consensus of your distinguished editorial board of Ron Fryar, Patricia Zechman, James Clark and Steve Warner. We all know the word bias means to influence or affect unduly or unfairly.
That stated, let me make my point of your biased opinion about the so-called debates in your Sunday editorial July 14.
You castigated Van Hilleary for not showing up to debate someone whom he was leading in the polls by 30 points. With all of your great political knowledge, you know it would be an unnecessary political risk to debate someone that far back in the race. Mr. Hilleary had everything to lose and nothing to gain. Furthermore, Mr. Hilleary has a day job. He is still our congressman for the 4th District.
One important item you deliberately excluded from your editorial was the fact you had another “no-show” debater. That would be Fran Marcum. She was to debate Lincoln Davis in the Democrat 4th District congressional race. Marcum and Davis were very close in the polls and this would have been an interesting debate.
You sliced and diced Mr. Hilleary and Mr. Rogers for not debating but you said nothing about Ms. Marcum not debating. This is disappointing to your many serious and sincere subscribers, who value your honest opinion.
Sam Allen
Hickory Blvd.
McMinnville