Making a statement, but losing a nose
Most everyone’s heard the old saying, “cutting off your to spite your face.” The point is, of course, that sometimes, in trying to make a stand, you actually end up hurting yourself.
Such is the case of a letter writer who voiced his vehement opposition to information in a story in Wednesday’s Enterprise. The Associated Press story was about an award presented by Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) to Jeanne Phillips, a.k.a. Abigail van Buren of “Dear Abby.”
Phillips’ mother, Pauline, the original “Dear Abby,” helped put PFLAG on the map in 1984 by referring a distraught mother to the organization.
The story quotes Phillips as saying she supports same-sex marriage, something she’s never actually come out and said in her column. Instead she’s only offered suggestions for emotional support for those struggling with their sexual orientation and their families.
The reader’s letter included an obviously hastily clipped copy of the Wednesday “Dear Abby” column with a note saying he didn’t read it and didn’t intend to read any more of them.
OK.
That’s the great thing about America. You can do that. Anyone can choose to speak out on any topic. The press can choose to (or not to) print or air any of those opinions and you can decide not to watch, listen or read about them.
Will Abby still be in The Enterprise? Yes. But that’s another great thing about America, we always can change our minds, though we certainly don’t expect to do that.
Publishing her column doesn’t mean The Enterprise supports same-sex marriage – or opposes it. It means we think the column has value that isn’t limited to that one topic. We think our readers will agree.
Such is the case of a letter writer who voiced his vehement opposition to information in a story in Wednesday’s Enterprise. The Associated Press story was about an award presented by Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) to Jeanne Phillips, a.k.a. Abigail van Buren of “Dear Abby.”
Phillips’ mother, Pauline, the original “Dear Abby,” helped put PFLAG on the map in 1984 by referring a distraught mother to the organization.
The story quotes Phillips as saying she supports same-sex marriage, something she’s never actually come out and said in her column. Instead she’s only offered suggestions for emotional support for those struggling with their sexual orientation and their families.
The reader’s letter included an obviously hastily clipped copy of the Wednesday “Dear Abby” column with a note saying he didn’t read it and didn’t intend to read any more of them.
OK.
That’s the great thing about America. You can do that. Anyone can choose to speak out on any topic. The press can choose to (or not to) print or air any of those opinions and you can decide not to watch, listen or read about them.
Will Abby still be in The Enterprise? Yes. But that’s another great thing about America, we always can change our minds, though we certainly don’t expect to do that.
Publishing her column doesn’t mean The Enterprise supports same-sex marriage – or opposes it. It means we think the column has value that isn’t limited to that one topic. We think our readers will agree.
posted by Sheila Friedeck at 12:39 PM
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