Angry, awed or ecstatic? Get if off your chest with a letter to the editor | Opinion
Quick — What did every letter to the editor on Sunday have in common?
You don’t have it in front of you, so let me fill you in: All were reactions by readers to something they’d seen in The Modesto Bee or modbee.com.
In each case Feb. 19, the letter writer was moved enough by an article to fire off a well-worded opinion sharing what they thought about the subject matter.
One criticized what he perceives as a liberal agenda pushed on children at school, saying parents are “called liars, bigots, racists, transphobes, homophobes and even white supremacists” if they challenge what’s being taught.
Two took issue with Modesto City Hall, for lack of transparency when police computers were hacked and for driving up soccer field costs with delays. Another objected to the local animal shelter’s fundraiser, saying that paying to put your ex’s name on a litter box for Valentine’s Day encourages “foolish hatred.”
In recent weeks, letter writers have reacted to news items with praise for retiring Stanislaus State President Ellen Junn and support of floodplains, and with bitterness at housing discrimination and congressional mindlessness. A few have expressed concern and sadness at learning in The Bee about MJC’s presidential turnover.
One writer was angry at the portrayal of a police officer in a comic strip. We at The Bee have no control over a syndicated cartoonist (Darrin Bell) in Los Angeles treating inner-city Black and Latino issues (Candorville), but we allow people to have their say about everything appearing in the newspaper.
Within reason, of course.
Letter-writing guidelines
We encourage opinion sharing, but shun libelous content. Claiming someone is a crook, for example, probably won’t make the cut. Bad-mouthing a business usually doesn’t either.
Name calling is rarely wise and often says more about the writer than his or her target. You can make your point without resorting to that.
And believe me, nastiness comes from both sides of the political minefield, in case you’re wondering or tempted to think it’s more common at only one extreme.
Speaking of political views, we absolutely encourage letters from all angles — left, right, up and down. Diversity of thought is the opinion page’s bread and butter.
Do we allow criticism of The Bee? Yes, unless it’s patently unfair.
One thing you’ll never see in our letters is any word or sentence in all capital letters, unless it’s an acronym and even those usually aren’t necessary. Exclamation marks and italics are only rarely permitted. I don’t care if you’re really angry or emphatic; make your point with words, not error-ridden punctuation.
Periodically we receive a demand for more space than the 200-word limit. I’m sorry, but any reader should be able to make a strong case with far less. Many newspapers impose limits of 150 words, and their letter writers happily adjust. Some papers insist that letters be restricted to one topic; I haven’t felt the need to lay down that law, because most follow that unwritten guideline anyway.
Some writers have mastered the skill of making a point with one or two sentences, often tinged with humor. I always smile when those appear in our inbox. Honest readers acknowledge that their eyes glaze over at long-winded, wordy pieces, while everyone’s eyes are drawn to short, punchy zingers.
So whether you’re touched or ticked off by something in The Bee or on TV or in conversation at the corner store, or you just want to share something that’s been gnawing at you, consider waxing authentic and sending a line (or several) to letters@modbee.com. Sometimes getting it off your chest is the best medicine.
Just don’t use all caps.
