The SHT Printed my letter today! Knock me over with a feather.
It's titled "Stop misinformation on Regier". This, after Wendy Dial told me outright a week and a half ago that they would not print it. I emailed a thank-you note to the SHT's letter's editor (Wendy Dial) this morning, and I just got this reply back:
Joe,
I think what was bothering me initially about your letter was that an important man like Regier allowed his name to be used and to stay on something he allegedly didn't believe in. At some point he had to have agreed to allow his name to be used, but he was a fool if he didn't read what it went on (even if he didn't actually compose the articles which DID have his name on them). That wasn't misinformation, as you stated. His name WAS on the articles and he apparently hasn't sued or made any kind of a legal disclaimer.
So I guess the semantics of "authored" vs. had-his-name-on allowed your letter to pass muster, and there was a certain momentum to the stories on him that got ahead of his media disclaimer, as you noted. Some people aren't convinced he didn't mean it. You apparently aren't one of those, and we try to publish letters representing all views (except the nasty, utterly mean-spirited ones).
Besides, I'm not afraid to give letters a second and third look.
You're probably no more enlightened about the decision change than you were a minute ago. Oh well. On to tomorrow's 9/11 letters.
Sincerely,
Wendy Dial
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Will wonders never cease. Let Freedom Ring,
