Op-Ed

Section Editor: Erin Cuthane

 

January 15, 2003

Broad’s Eye View

J.ALL
OP Columnist

opinionsubmit@hotmail.com

Welcome back. I trust you are all well-rested and rear-
ing to blaze academic trails in this second semester of
Our Lord, 2003. I don’t know about you, but I like
to kind of ease my way into a new year—you know,
make sure it’s a good fit. Don’t want to be rushing into
anything willy-nilly. January is a good month for self-
reflection and to take the time to deal with any unre-
solved issues from the previous year. As a columnist
for the illustrious Other Press, I receive scads of read-
er mail. Of course, I can’t be expected to respond to
everyone—I am only one woman—but in the spirit of
the fledgling new year, I would like to kick things off
with a letter I received in December 2002:

Re: November 27th Broads Eye View
Your comment bottom 2nd column “Im like a rummie
with a $10 bill in the mouthwash aisle.”

Why wouldn't you portray this as a fat pig in the ice
cream aisle or a bulimic in the diuretic aisle. Maybe a
“dog” in the make-up aisle or even a street person on any
given day.

For a student who should profess to be socially sensitive
to the communities fallibilities, you show a remarkable
lack of tack and total lack of education regarding sub-
stance abuse.

I dont think anybody would have accused Ralph Klein
(you may not like him, but the people of Alberta must if
he keeps getting re-elected) of hanging out in the mouth-
wash aisle. Nor Winston Churchill or Brian Mulroney
for that matter (they were also an alcoholics).

Maybe you should spend a day in their shoes before you
make crass and insensitive commentary
I good rule of thumb is to think when you write, not just
write to please, but write to inform and hopefully say
something insightful.

This column is aimed to please the lowest common

 

The Third Degree

Devon Lewis
OP Photographer —

 

Do you think that Gordon |
Campbell should resign?

 

 

 

"Yes he should. The The
cuts have affected vic-
America. We aren't

tim services such as
halfway houses and

PLEA organizations.

Caen

the other press

denominator and a retraction should be issued along “at
and apology.
Kent

Well, Kent, thanks for the feedback and the creative
suggestions, even though some of them are a little
unrealistic. I mean really, it’s a little far-fetched td
expect me to spend a day in the shoes of everyone
intend to make crass and insensitive comments about
I'm all for field research, but I do have my studies t
attend to. I also cannot profess to be socially sensitive
but I promise to work on my “lack of tack.” An
while I agree, a fat pig in the ice cream aisle woul
have been funnier; I think that’s a little offensive. I
however completely onside with your Ralph Klei
comment. Journalistic integrity demands specificity
it is unforgivable to slur the good name of the rum-
mies to protect the identity of a Canadian politi
icon such as Mr. Klein. The devil is in the details, i
you will.

And so, you have my retraction and my sincer
apology. November 27th’s Broad’s Eye View should n
longer read, “I’m like a rummie with a $10 bill in th
mouthwash aisle.” The revised column should instea
read, “I’m like Ralph Klein with a $10 bill in th
mouthwash aisle.”

If you read this Kent, I also want to thank you fo
the poignant rule of thumb you included in you
email. Please allow me to share one of my own: i
addition to thinking when you are writing it is a goo
idea to use spell-check.

For the rest of you, | feel I should point out tha
Kent did refer to you as the “lowest common denom-
inator.” I leave the ball in your court.

Send your warm fuzzies or cold pricklies to:
broadeyeview@hotmail.com

 

  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
 

Yes, he’s turning us
into corporate

 

Yankees or Albertans.

Kins

 

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