« The 111F factor: Are Police Gaming the System? | Main | Is America Too Soft On Terror? »
August 12, 2006
READ ALL ABOUT IT: EDITOR MAKES GAFFE
Well, today's editorial in The Sun contains an embarrassing mistake. And I am the perpetrator. In the editorial, titled "Crack Down On 111F cases," I refer to the city manager as Brian Martin. Ouch!!! I admit, Martin was on my mind. Several people called on Friday to ask me about the Scotty Boyle coaching situation at Lowell High School and Martin's name invariable came up. Martin is the athletic director at Lowell High, who recently notified Boyle that he could no longer coach both the varsity football and basketball teams, specifically the latter. There are no excuses for the gaffe, but Martin's name must have slipped into my subconscious. This is what happens when Sharon Flaherty, The Sun's editorial page editor, is on vacation and isn't around to check my work. So I want to apologize to Brian Martin, City Manager Bernie Lynch and, most of all, Sun readers for the mistake. Yes, Jim Campanini, is human and fallible. Of course, we've known that for a long time. Still, the mistake shouldn't detract from the editorial's message: 111F, which allows public safety workers injured on the job to collect their full salaries, tax free, during their recovery periods, is ripe for abuse and municipalities have to do a better job monitoring the system. In the editorial, I point out four ways that cities an towns can prevent abuse of the system. It is up to City Manager Lynch and Police Superintendent Ed Davis III to use all the tools available to the city to see that injured officers attend their scheduled doctor's appointments and return to work in a timely fashion. At present, the city's monitoring system is lax. It has to be tightened to prevent abuse.
Posted by JimC at August 12, 2006 12:15 PM
Comments
Jim,
Despite my disagreements with your characterizations and terminology on another thread about this topic, the editorial today hits the nail right on the head. All good suggestions. Anyone who cares more about the name mistake that the issue probably isn't worth the time.
Posted by: Smokey at August 13, 2006 12:09 AM
This isn't the first time... and I suspect not the last... that the Sun has made major mistakes in editorials. I actually must say that of all things in the Sun, the editorial is the weakest example of Sun journalism. Often reeking of propaganda level nonsense.
Actually, "backtalk" is probably worse. I've never seen a newspaper anywhere that allowed anonymous comments in their paper. Especially ones that are libel.
But, at the least, kudos to you for correcting your error and admitting it.
Posted by: Dr. No at August 13, 2006 12:14 AM
Dr. No, I would hate to see the day when Lowell ends up like Holyoke or the dozens of other cities across the nation that have lost their hometown newspaper. As for mistakes in editorials, there haven't been many factual mistakes in the 18 years I've been at The Sun. You you believe that our opinion is a mistake because it is different from yours, while then I can see your point. That is why we have a dialogue. You should express your disagreements through a letter to the editor or BackTalk. Once again, the public still has that vehicle in The Sun to express their thoughts and ideas. In some communities, those expressions go dark.
Posted by: jim campanini at August 13, 2006 9:16 AM
Jim,
I have to agree with Dr. No on one thing. I have always though Backtalk was the lowest common denominator of expressing opinion, part of the dumbing down of our society. I'm all for freedom of speech but it really is the soundbite of editiorial discussion.
I always think of newspapers as a place where you get more than the soundbyte, or the short version of a story you get on TV. I understand it is a vehicle for anyone to have a say, its just not a very good one. At least when you write a letter to the editor or post to the blog you have to expand on your opinion and put some effort into it. It also takes a bit more time and effort for the reader.
I know holding things back is not the way to go, it just seems to be the basest of material sometimes and a free soapbox to take a potshot. Also I think the Eagle Tribune had a similar feature so I'm sure The Sun isn't alone. Like I said, it seems to be the further dumbing down of America.
Posted by: Smokey at August 13, 2006 2:38 PM
Okay, stop complaining about the backtalk section...I know that it seems like everyones opinion is generally boring to read (it usually is), but at least they give the option for it. Most papers alienate their own people. I would rather seem dumb comments about a subject than no option to talk-back.
As for the subject at hand, mistakes are not as important as the subject as said above. Usually it is just funny to see them!
Posted by: Stop Complainin' at August 14, 2006 2:40 PM
You know it is funny (not really) but watching from the sidelines all the bullcrape that goes along in and around the city of Lowell within there political arena, Many tax payers are being fooled and the system within Lowell in my opinion is corrupt unscrupulous behavior is what i see and the city news paper runs right along side chearing for them all.
Say what you want about me but I have been around for 43 years and nobody nothing will ever change my mind but new elected officials right from the city hall down to the LPD.
"Let it be said,Let it be written".
Posted by: Jack Black at September 7, 2006 1:02 PM
