Editor's Note: We got a few calls and emails from Randolph area readers frustrated with THE RUTLAND HERALD's February 4th editorial in which they essentially refused to cover discussions of Vermont independence in their newspaper, citing that they have "better things to think about." Here's one response.
David Atkinson
2062 Riford Brook Road
Braintree, Vermont 05060
Letters to the Editor/The Herald
Randolph, Vermont 05060
Dear M.D.
How could I not respond to your outrageous editorial of February 4th?
The degree of arrogance is mind boggling and I am not only surprised but impressed that you had the courage to display it.
In your seventh paragraph you call yourself a “reporter”. Having been trained as a reporter, I know a reporter reports goings-on even if they did not agree with what is going on. Someone, as yourself, who reprints ideas he is already in agreement with, is a closed-minded business owner publishing a journal. In my humble opinion, you have no legitimacy calling yourself a reporter.
Also in your seventh paragraph you write, “the political ambitions of the Second Vermont Republic are not worth much to us as reporters and to our readers, who have better things to think about”. Amazing!
The hight of arrogance . . .that you can possibly assume you know what your readers think about. Unbelievable. And what is more unbelievable, is that you would actually think and say that you do know what all your readers want to think about.
I am one of the wackos (you mention) who is a member of the Second Vermont Republic (SVR) (sending my $25 annual dues) since reading their first copy of “Vermont Commons”, which, by the way has just released it's 33 rd issue (one every two months).
Self sustainability is the main message of the SVR. Self sustainability is useful whether or not Vermont ever becomes a Republic again. Self sustainability is just plain common sense.
You write that you are only going to cover “serious” candidates who have “serious” things to say and a “serious” chance of getting elected. How absurd!
Some of the most important issues brought to elections are the ideas of candidates who never get elected but they have the courage to bring issues to the fore that the “serious” candidates will not touch with a ten foot pole.
You do “serious” damage to the news business and our collective intelligence by personally passing judgment on human beings willing to offer themselves up to scrutiny in a political campaign. You also do a major disservice to your readers, the ones you don't know. I assume there are some.
I suggest you pick up and read a copy of “Vermont Commons” (at the coffee shop three doors from the Herald) or any other location were “thinking” people go.
I've seen your wife at that coffee shop often, but now that I search my memory I have never noticed you there. Do you ever get out of that office and talk with “real” people?
David Atkinson/Braintree/728-6598