COMMENTARY: What Voters Really Meant

TEA PARTY REPRESENTATIVE COULD LEARN FROM JOURNALISTS

By Greg Harton

Monday, February 8, 2010

Print item

One of the basic tenets of writing as a journalist is to make sure the statements one writes are not overly broad.

It takes practice. For example, if there's a shooting incident and the only thing police say is that a firearm was found in an arrested man's possession, the journalist has to ask a set of questions to know how to write that up: Was it a handgun or a long gun? If it was a handgun, was it a revolver or a semi-automatic? If it was a long gun, was it a rifle or a shotgun? What caliber was it?

Without asking those questions, the reporter is stuck with the nondescript language police sometimes use when ...

Subscribers must LOG-IN to read this full story.
Monthly and yearly online subscriptions are available starting at only $5.95. Access is free for print subscribers. Click here to see rates and register.

Comments

To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Please read our comment policy.

sfret says...

I believe Greg Harton should do better than I as a "reporter". My speaking and my writing are from a point of fiscal responsibility and constitutionality. On the later, the State is the venue so we're good there.

On fiscal responsibility, I clearly stated my facts as simply as I could in 5 minutes with other information. The market was down 5% in January and down more (so far) in February. Income from taxes/millage IS lower due to slow down in housing, unemployment and FORECLOSURES.

As for moral, that's where it gets personal and I clearly stated that was MY opinion. There was a vote that specifically mentioned the millage increase amount AND the total expected cost. Since both were on the ballot, I think we can conclude the people said NOT AT THIS TIME. Also, the schools OWN POLL of the voters validated all the other issues you find me in error of. It's their sides notes, not mine.

I was inspired to write the Editorial today but as a member of the Tea Party board. The inspiration came from a LIBERAL who did not like the Boards fiscal responsibility and certainly that they would subvert the collective voice OF THE PEOPLE.

Your article GROPES for facts and falls short. If I am hired as an editor, I will try to turn down the accusations. But, I was writing as a partisan against fiscal irresponsibility.

We don't fight against any party or person (by choice). We fight against issues and those who we believe are on the wrong side of issues. I've never seen a musket nor sword at a meeting or protest. Lighten up on the Tea Party bashing until you attend a meeting and talk with us. Read the ballot. Then read the national, state and local budgets. You might find a consistant problem there.

February 8, 2010 at 9:18 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

alpha_cat says...

It was very generous of the paper to devote so much valuable space to the aforementioned unpatriotic teabaggery.

February 8, 2010 at 10:05 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

notthatsmart says...

I concur with Barton's thoughts: Further--who is James Laubler, and how does one claim to be on the "Board of Directors" for the Washington County Tea Party? Was he elected? Is he a primary fund-raiser? Barton might have added that "Simply because your group placed an ad prior to the millage election does not qualify as representing the opposition." The millage lost by nearly 20 points--for some non-existent group to attempt to claim responsibility for victory is laughable.

February 8, 2010 at 10:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

sfret says...

The Tea Party/Secure Arkansas (the former morfed from the later) protested and was quoted NUMEROUS times by most of the media in our area. We protested openly, sent out flyers, advertised, and worked hard with other Tea Party affiliated organizations to "get out the vote". To say we don't have any contact and know what the opposition thinks is, at best, a stretch.

Maybe you just heard about the vote without seeing any of our comments. But, I doubt most citizens can say the same. Even the opposition hired professionals and spent over $24K to loose this. WE (some of The People) helped defeat the pro's.

Give us our due or not. But, the truth is the Tea Parties, (as stated by pundents on Fox, CNBC, CNN and just about every national news outlet)has an enormous impact. We are ordinary citizens who don't sit there and bitch. We get out, educate, and work the vote. Challange us if you don't agree with us. Organize a Star Bucks party or something. Don't just sit there and let a few elected people go outside their duties and circumvent their constituents.

Come sit in on our meetings. Challange us there. We have nothing to hide and only defend the constitution, voters rights, and fiscal responsibility (that's like ballancing your checkbook for the kids out there and not taking out too much debt).

February 8, 2010 at 12:33 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

unclemarkey says...

When Mr Laubler got on his high horse, as a journalist, why wasn't he asked how many hands high it is, what color it is, and what breed of equine it is. After all, as stated in this article getting the important details, "It takes practice. For example, if there's a shooting incident and the only thing police say is that a firearm was found in an arrested man's possession, the journalist has to ask a set of questions to know how to write that up: Was it a handgun or a long gun? If it was a handgun, was it a revolver or a semi-automatic? If it was a long gun, was it a rifle or a shotgun? What caliber was it?". No, Journalists can learn by talking less about their profession and improving on their profession by trying to keep reporting to the 5 Ws and 1 H, and not trying to interpret the news for us.

February 9, 2010 at 12:56 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Registration is required to make comments. Click here to LOGIN.
You can register for FREE to post comments and receive alerts.