CS has a word limit policy on submitted letters to the editor. It is 500 words, unless a letter writer endorses a candidate for election, in which case it is 250 words. In addition, "letters may be edited for length."
A letter containing 320 words was recently submitted and published Thursday, September 8, 2011. Some vital words were omitted. One word was changed. The letter was captioned Attacked On All Sides and signed by Jo Schaffer, a city 4th ward resident. She was concerned about a proposed SUCC Student Life Center near her home. She did not endorse a specific candidate.
"I urge you to educate yourself thoroughly before the primary. Then vote to stop these attacks!"
The word "educate" was edited out and the word "dedicate" was edited in. It made the sentence look like nonsense. In addition, in the prior paragraph, two intrinsic sentences were omitted.
"And then, of course, there was Wood by his (Brian Tobin) side at the press conference, announcing his run for mayor. Speaks volumes?"
For a newspaper that ardently defends the First Amendment when it applies to political signs on lawns, it shows no consistency or fairness when it edits, distorts and publishes selective letters to the editor.
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