Letters for July 9, 2015

Who cares what journalists think?

Re “No opinions, please” (Letters to the Editor, June 25):

Dennis, thank you for speaking. Let me say that you are one of the local journalists in the area I admire. During my time at the supposedly weak Reynold’s Journalism School, I was in a class where you spoke on the importance of anonymity. I believe you were doing a story on illegal immigrants in the area. I took from your speech that people can have many reasons for anonymity, none of which should be frowned upon.

Perhaps I have legal, social or even personal reasons why my name cannot be heard, but I have not let this stop my voice from speaking. To address your concerns with neutrality, I believe in the importance of having news, and agree that it is not in human nature to be completely neutral. Although, an advocate differs from a journalist in that they have an opinion to state. The point of journalism is to gather information for the public to become aware and come to a personal conclusion. The article you sent to me did just that. It reported the facts without inserting opinion.

If this were an opinion article I would have to agree with you, neutrality has no place. However, it was an interview conducted to find out more about the mayor, not Brian Burghart’s personal opinions. Even the insisted fairness of journalism did not play a role in this interview. Instead of completely agreeing then pushing his own opinion, Burghart could have invited the public to do some research on their own about the stadium. Most don’t even know it is a public building that they can openly walk into when they please.

How can you expect an audience to make informed decisions about a subject when they are given a lopsided argument and aren’t even invited to find out more? This is a journalist job, to report the facts and educate. From your remarks I have a feeling you took my statement as a defense of the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority board and the problems behind the NBS being built. I cannot speak for either, but my comments mentioned nothing about previous issues. I can say that it is 25 years later and our cards still hold the Bowling Stadium. It would cost more to tear it completely down, wade through red tape, and build something else. My point was and still is: We have the workers who care about it, and the building is not falling to pieces so let’s work with what we’ve got and create something new. These are the ideas I want to hear from the mayor.

Jennie Lindquist

Reno

Editor’s note: This letter refers to a conversation had about me, D. Brian Burghart, on our website. As a working journalist, I prefer that all ideas—particularly those from people whose ideas about journalism differ from mine—appear in this paper. Let me be clear, though. The First Amendment does not restrict my right to include my opinion in a news story, particularly in a Q&A format, as long as it’s not hidden or portrayed as fact. The idea that news stories must conform to somebody else’s obsolete view of mainstream journalism is exactly why mainstream journalism is having problems. Don’t be afraid of the truth, Ms. Lindquist. That’s what should be taught in journalism school.

But who can remember?

Re “Better Red Dog than dead” (Notes from the Neon Bablyon, June 25):

Thanks for the memories, Bruce; it was an unforgettable decade or so.

Rich Steurer

Sparks

Open for art

Re “Riverside Effects” (Feature story, June 18):

The artists in the Riverside Artist Lofts will open their homes for Artown. Doors will be open Saturday the 25th from noon to 5 p.m. We will also be open Thursday, July 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. Over the years, we have had more Riverside Artist Loft events than I can count. We’ve had dozens of open houses, a half-dozen gallery art shows, three or four “Drum” art festivals, and events whose names slip from my memory. There are 35 lofts in the Riverside. In those lofts, there are 35 artists actively making art. A lot of artists have lived in the Lofts since we opened. Individual artists’ music gigs, art shows, plays, and other events add up into the thousands. When painting is income, that’s a lot of shows. Some musicians tour, some are in multiple bands. Some of the best artists hardly show at all. I am very grateful to Artspace for creating the Artist Lofts where our little community of artists has flourished. I want to thank the greater Reno art community for its amazingly nurturing inclusiveness. It’s a lot of love.

Craig Smyres

Riverside Artists Assoc. organizer, Reno

Sweet home

Well, it looks like our pea-witted, hillbilly brothers in the South are fighting back. Black churches are burning, and pro-Confederate flag rallies are in full swing everywhere. I suppose they have more things planned. A return to lynchings, maybe? By golly, I may have a non-violent solution here. If I understand my history lessons correctly, an amendment to the U.S. Constitution outlaws secession, enacted after the Civil War. You know, the war the South lost? So, if they can’t secede, why don’t we just kick them out? Is there any provision for that? Give them what they’ve wanted all these years and let them fend for themselves. We will continue to remember those poor souls, on both sides, who gave their lives for what they believed in that sad war. The real America can then thrive without being further dragged down by these hate-filled, ignorant scum. It would be a real shame to divide this great country, but I believe it may be the only real solution. Granted, it’s a bit far-fetched, but we have waited a long time for those people to join the 21st century, but they continue to cling to their hateful ways. We can’t wait much longer. Let’s just tell them to go away.

Christopher Wilson

Sparks

Problem? No problem.

Re “The year of living soberly” (Feature story, July 2):

What an excellent article! A particularly notable line was Ed’s realization he was up to nine beers a day, and that was a normal day! Is that called “functional alcoholism”?

Congratulations to Ed and Heidi Adkins for not only recognizing they had an issue with alcohol, often the most difficult aspect of regaining control, but also doing something about it and having courage to share their experience.

Bravo!

Now, any suggestions on how may I surreptitiously forward this to the usual suspects, without coming across as preachy or holier than thou?

Steve Waclo

Carson City

Ed’s Reply

I’ve read that if you want advice to be taken in, it’s best to point out what effects a certain course of action may have for someone if they were to choose to take it rather than telling them what they should do.

That said, 9 times out of 10, people get defensive if you tell them you think their partying may be getting to them. If I really think something’s up, I start off softly by telling them how much I care for and respect them before I say, “Also, your drinking is making you act like an ass.”

My advice? Just tell them the article is funny. It’s a coincidence that it’s also about taking a year off booze.

Ed Adkins

Reno