Sunday, February 25, 2007
Reader: Letter ridicules me
TO THE EDITOR:
Good letters to the Editor provide important public dialogue that can help keep our government following "the consent of the governed." I strive to remain grateful for the citizens who participated in the 2006 campaign debates, as well as Mr. Tom Beckfeld's most recent attempt to promote good public discourse.
Good public discourse should be based on clear, substantive, fact based and respectful statements; without innuendos, ridicule, or false statements. The latter of which creates perceptions that do not at all reflect the realities and are very difficult to respond to.
Mr. Beckfeld's Feb. 10 letter explained his offenses from press releases submitted by my office. He states that I wrote these press releases like I am being interviewed by someone else and quoted myself; he then suggests that everything should be a quote from me and that quotation marks are only needed when someone else is being quoted.
In response, after many years of Mr. Gary Meyer, the editor accepting press releases in this exact same format from my office, Sen. Betsy Wergin's office and others, the editor responded to Mr. Beckfeld by changing the next press release from my office to be a written statement from me without any quotes. While in the very same newspaper the editor published another good press release, submitted in the same format from the area's Foster Grandparent Program unedited.
Yes, editors can certainly print whatever pleases them. However, the fact is, press releases have long been written by media support personnel and submitted to the district papers. In this case, Mr. Beckfeld's letter ridiculed me for a long established practice previously known and accepted by Mr. Meyer whose response gives credibility to that ill-founded ridicule. I certainly hope Mr. Beckfeld does not consider sending a letter of ridicule against such a wonderful program like Foster Grandparents as he has me.
In addition, in my opinion two of the recent articles about my family crisis published by this paper contain falsehoods or misperceptions at best. It should at least be noted that everyone needs to learn about today's common artful practice of marginalizing people to make them appear on the fringe and unaccepted. While it is effective, it is also very destructive and should not be used or permitted in any respectful paper.
Mr. Beckfeld does it, many before him in the last campaign did it. When this paper publishes articles about the serious nature of my family crisis without even asking the person they are writing about a single question, I submit this paper may also be practicing today's destructive strategy of marginalization. It's today's plague of journalism and public discourse which must be refuted. I appreciate the editor's commitment to public discourse, and hope that in the future this medium will be used with respect and facts.
Mark Olson
Big Lake, MN
Another LTE about Olson's arraignment:
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Reader: Olson gets benefit
TO THE EDITOR:
Last November Rep. Mark Olson was arrested for two counts of fifth degree assault. Many letters to the editor by both Olson's supporters and detractors encouraged us to not judge too quickly and to respect the Olson's privacy.
I can support that view, but Olson's statements at his pre-trail hearing last Friday and those of his attorney are disturbing. Olson's lawyer all but accused his wife of creating this incident saying "she was coming after him and he was trying to control the situation."
Olson said he hired his new lawyer to move the process along in a swifter fashion, but his actions showed no such desire. First he asked for a new arraignment to start the process all over again. When that was denied he asked for a trial date in June after the session was over.
The Judge offered him three trial dates, one in March, April and May. Olson took the last one. Later Olson told reporters he hoped to get the trial moved up.
So why not take the March date? Could the reason be that Olson does not want to have the House in session should he be found guilty of the charges against him? His efforts seem to be aimed at delaying the inevitable ethics investigation and his possible expulsion until the next session in January 08 rather than bringing this matter to a close and moving on.
Olson has gone from asking forgiveness to blaming his wife. Trying to "control the situation" is not an acceptable excuse for family violence. Olson ran on the issues of personal integrity and responsibility for one's actions. It's past the time for him to apply this slogan to himself.
Jeff Strand
Princeton, MN
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