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Quigley: Send us your letters – but use your own words, please
Robert Quigley, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN Monday, October 17, 2005A few weeks ago, as John Roberts worked his way through his Senate confirmation hearings, the American-Statesman began receiving dozens of letters that all wore the same robe.
As a matter of fact, each letter ended with this line: "As an American who believes in moral fairness, equality and compassion, I urge the Senate to reject John Roberts."
How could dozens of letter writers, from Austin and around the state, all be inspired to write the exact same line at the same time?
The answer, of course, is they were not inspired. They were prodded to send them as part of a letter-writing campaign.
I responded to several readers who had sent this campaign letter, telling them that I would love to run a letter from them — if they used their own words. Calling them on their plagiarism caught many off guard. Responses ranged from, "Sorry, I was lazy" to, "I really shouldn't have done that, but I really believe the words in that letter." One writer had the gall to say they were his own words. After I sent him examples of "his words" being used by countless other writers, he replied, "You're a Republican, aren't you?"
No. I'm an editor.
Do the people who send these form letters stand by the opinions in the letters? Of course they do. But that's not the point.
The Internet age has turned these types of campaigns into a pain in the neck for letters editors everywhere. I am pointing out this one, which came from a left-leaning group, just because it is the most recent full-fledged campaign. Republicans are good at this game, too.
How do you join in the fun — and add to my misery? Go to your favorite political party's Web site and click on "take action." From there, you can send one letter to scores of newspapers. The letter-writing forms usually have "talking points," which sound like they're written by the best letter writers ever. The talking points are written in a way to increase the odds they will be published — they focus on one topic, they're short, and they back up the opinions with facts.
On most Web sites, there's a small disclaimer that says: "Most newspapers will only print original letters. Use talking points and sample letters as a starting point for your own message."
Apparently, thousands of people take that disclaimer as a loose guideline. I receive tons of letters that just quote the talking points.
I try to stay on top of letter-writing campaigns, and I usually can recognize a letter that comes from one of these Web sites. Although these letters often are very well-written, I don't print them. And even if you re-word the "talking points," I won't print them.
In an age when group talking points and sound bites dominate the media, a newspaper's Letters to the Editor section should be the place for the individual's beliefs, feelings and ideas.
If you really want to "take action," write us a letter that contains your own thoughts — in your own words.
Quigley has been the Statesman's letters editor since July 2004. Send an original letter to letters@statesman.com.
Find this article at:
http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/10/17quigley_edit.html
From the Horse's Mouth: Why the Editor didn't print your letter