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04/27/2006: "Comment on rebuttal"

I checked my email this morning and saw a message I never expected to see (well not this soon, at least). I got an email from one of the people who's letter I commented on. And, no, it wasn't a flame from someone who feels I insulted them.

Darrell M. Zaslow wrote me to say that the letter U.S. News published on 6 March 2006 was a "butchered" form of what he actually wrote, making a point to say that they change his phrase "their prophet" to "the prophet". My copy of the magazine has long since been recycled, so I can't post what was published, but I will post the letter he sent to me.

                                                            February 8, 2006
Letters Editor
U.S. News & World Report
Dear Editor:
    Your journey into cartoon land was very disappointing. The article [Cartoons 2/13] states: “But free-speech champions have not backed down.” That is an untrue statement. Either that, or U.S. News is no longer the champion of free speech that it should be. U.S. News did not publish the cartoons. As a subscriber, seeking news, I want to see for myself the drawings serving as an excuse for Islamic violence, and make my own decisions. I can’t because you refrain from reporting them. It should be clear that your restraint has nothing to do with respecting Moslem sensibilities. From our Supreme Court to mosques around the world, their prophet is depicted in busts and artwork. Your failure to publish the drawings results from your fear that Moslems would destroy you and your magazine. Hiding behind alleged Moslem sensibilities is a front. The real reason is that U.S. News has backed down, and refused to champion free speech.

Very truly yours,

Darrell M. Zaslow

I didn't really have a lot to say about the letter as published, and I don't have a lot to say about the submitted version, but I do find it interesting that the differences were enough for the Darrell to email me with the full letter. I'd like to thank him, not only for the correction, but for being the first person to reply on a comment I made about their letter.

Which brings me back to what I said at the beginning. It's difficult to express the shock and joy I felt when I opened the email. I've only been doing this for six months, and it's not like I'm trying to make a big contribution to the blogosphere, but it's nice to see that occasionally someone besides my friends and family read this. It's nicer to see comments from the "others" and nicer still to receive an email from those I may take issue with. With luck, at my one year anniversary I will be able to hold my head up high and say that I have a readership in the double digits.