Fraters Libertas

Rude Awakening

As it becomes apparent that ideological diversity is to be a permanent fixture on the editorial page of the Pioneer Press, the blissfully complacent circulation segment who were more than happy to pay for an unyielding stream of DFL talking points, day after day after blessed day, are slowly being roused. Here's the latest outburst, a letter to the editor from an outraged reader responding to Craig Westover's brilliant, insightful interview of David Strom on May 4:

Craig Westover's May 4 column was a feeble attempt to polish David Strom's tainted image. Westover and Strom reside in the same neocon camp where truth-twisting is standard operating procedure.

A damn lie! Although it is true David Strom and Craig Westover were assigned to the same cabin at Neocon Camp last year, and both received merit badges in Truth Twisting (not to mention War Mongering and Lack of Compassion for the Poor), the standard operating procedure at Neocon camp is NOT truth twisting. It is "To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!." Get your facts straight, sir.

Westover's real purpose: Clean up the messenger and maybe the message won't have quite the stink. The neocons have been very successful at redefining our language. Westover deceitfully described Strom as a "populist." Strom may be a lot of things, but he is certainly not a populist. In fact, Strom represents the very privileged elite that the populists and progressives have opposed over the years.

Because nothing says "privileged elite" like buying a lot in North Minneapolis, hiring a first time contractor to build a house, and living like an itinerant soap salesman for six months while sweating out a $12,000 legal judgment over faulty drywall spackling.

Language is important. Just because a demagogue can draw a crowd, that does not make him a populist. History is replete with windbags, and while I will avoid unseemly but accurate comparisons, I suggest that the Pioneer Press assign a top-notch editor to keep an eye on Westover. This is not an issue of opinion, it's simple truth-telling. My parakeet says thanks for another Westover column to read while he's doing his business.

As delusional as these concerns are, the management of the Pioneer Press is committed to being responsive to any and all suggestions submitted by readers. This irate fellow should be comforted to know a top notch editor, the Associate Editorial Page editor himself, has been assigned to keeping an eye on Westover. Days, nights, weekends, whatever it takes. In fact, here's a shot of the stringent quality control meeting and performance evaluation, held last Saturday.

Go back to sleep sir and rest easy, the future of your hometown newspaper is in good hands.
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