Input Wanted - The Wichita Eagle wants your input on candidate questions and editorial cartoons.

The Wichita Eagle ^ | September 28, 2002 | Phillip Brownlee

[RAT Patrol]

Posted on Sun, Sep. 29, 2002

Input wanted on 'toons, interviews

Cartoons can be a third rail for newspaper editors: Touch them, and you die. But I'm wondering whether to keep or dump the "Doonesbury" and "Mallard Fillmore" cartoons that we publish Monday through Saturday on these pages, and I'd like your input.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of either feature. "Doonesbury" seems timeworn and often doesn't make a meaningful point. And "Mallard" is usually a variation on a single theme: Liberals are dumb.

I don't receive many reader comments about "Doonesbury" (which could be good or bad). But I do hear from people upset that "Mallard" misrepresented them.

For example, a "Mallard" strip earlier this month accused the National Education Association of telling teachers to stress American intolerance instead of blaming others for the terrorist attacks. Not true, a local NEA member wrote me.

"This isn't a matter of opinion that can be argued," he said. "It is a simple, straightforward, bald-faced, unmitigated lie."

A "Mallard" series last year lampooning U.S. postal workers brought similar objections, including one letter writer who complained that "Mallard" cartoons "are put-downs, plain and simple, and they don't deserve to be published."

On the other hand, I've appreciated the cartoon's conservative voice, especially as a balance to the left-leaning "Doonesbury." But if most readers think neither 'toon adds much value to our pages, we might be better off using the space for something else.

What do you think? Should they stay, or should they go?

On another subject, The Eagle editorial board is beginning to interview political candidates prior to the Nov. 5 general election, and I'd like your input on what questions to ask.

Is there a specific area of the budget that needs attention? What about issues that might not be on the media radar screen?

Call or e-mail me with your thoughts.

Phillip Brownlee is The Eagle's opinion editor. Reach him by e-mail at pbrownlee@wichitaeagle.com or at (316) 268-6262.

© 2001 eagle and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansas.com

[RAT Patrol]

E-mail away everyone!

[RAT Patrol]

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[terilyn]

Win one for the Gipper! God Bless You Reagan, We Will Never Forget Your Great Service and Leadership - We here on FR will carry on your great work with diligence. Thanks for the Memories and Inspiration!

Donate here by secure server

Or mail checks to
FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
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[RAT Patrol]

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[RAT Patrol]

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[ozzymandus]

I was a subscriber to the Beagle for years, until they decided we western Kansans weren't worthy of their paper and they quit delivery. Screw 'em.

[ozzymandus]

BTW, Mallard Fillmore was hilarious! If the NEA and the postal workers hate him, what else can I add? Also, I don't believe the editor never received any complaints about Doonesbury, since I personally complained several times. Would a liberal RAT lapdog editor lie??

[Rightly Biased]

So get the Hutchnews they aren't too liberal if you ignore some of the editorials.

regards

[axel f]

After having lurked on this site for years, I finally decided to take the big step and become a member. All KS Freepers, please take a look at www.sebeliusreport.com and get the word out about our Dem nominee for governor.

[RAT Patrol]

That is too bad that they quit deliver. However, it's cheaper to read them online anyway.

Phillip Brownlee is a moderate (an educated guess) and your efforts on him are not wasted. Please write because he does listen. He's only been the editorial page editor for a year and a half. He's a good guy really.

The KCStar, on the other hand, is a waste of time. They do not EVEN care.

[RAT Patrol]

Thanks, axel f, for the info.

[RAT Patrol]

That is too bad that they quit deliver. I mean "delivery" of course. I'm a very bad proofreader.

[rwfromkansas]

Everyone, please write and say drop Doonsberry, but keep Mallard.

If they drop Mallard but not Doonsberry, they are part of a liberal agenda.

[ALS]

bingo... drop DOOMSbury, mallard can stay

[rwfromkansas]

Make sure to e-mail journalists about sebeliusreport.com information....

Also e-mail everybody you know from Kansas. Put up flyers. We need to spread the truth about Sebelius.

[axel f]

You're welcome.

Until I learned about this site yesterday, I didn't really feel one way or the other about Sebelius. I had no idea she was this far left. I can't believe she thinks it's OK for minors to get abortions without parental consent! And she donates to Emily's List!

I think once the public learns all this information her numbers will sink like a rock. So much for Sebelius, the "conservative" Democrat!

[BlazingArizona]

Philip Brownlee: as an indicator of where this yutz stands on the issues, note that the Wichita Eagle never says a peep about its town's most important current event, the Wichita massacre trial. For daily coverage, go to Channel 12 News, http://www.kwch.com/

[rwfromkansas]

If the public learns......then her numbers will sink.

It is highly doubtful the public will ever learn.

Until I saw that site, I actually kind of liked Sebelius. I still wave a pom pom about the Anthem decision, but that is the only positive thing I can say about her anymore.....

[I. Ben Hurt]

For the first time in a long time Kansas Farm Bureau Insurance will not be endorsing the GOP candidate for Governor. This seems to me to be as bad or worse than endorsing the democrat. They "plan to stay neutral".

VOTE FOR TIM SHALLENBURGER! CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN FOR GOVERNOR.

[MrB]

Thanks for the link.

I think my elderly parents are katie supporters. For some reason, my father thinks it's "open minded" to vote for a democrat once in a while instead of "for the letter behind their name".

I read some of the info at the link, but I'm afraid I can't find anything that would be a good argument to show them that it is a mistake to vote a liberal 'Rat into office.