|
Criticism and Editing
NMB, Florida September 19, 2001 A.H. Schectman
THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on Issues, Ideas and Reflections on the Times. Published Now and
Then. Opinions Pro or Con Are Welcome.
CRITICISM AND EDITING
I think I heard the snippet of reportage on the radio correctly. I listen
to the radio in the shower and sometimes I put my fingers in my ears to wash
off shampoo and shave cream in order to keep water out of them. So I caught
some words by a very intelligent woman who reviewed the possible government
bailout of the Aeronautics industry as an indefensible act. She was cogent
and clear and I could not but agree with what she said.
She pointed out that some airlines regularly go bankrupt and that the
take-over and consolidation of small outfits goes on as a normal part of
doing business. The one point she made clearly before she was cut off was
that WE the PEOPLE should not have to pay for the shoddy practices the
airlines have been noted for. She had a great deal more to say and I am
sorry to have missed it. This was not because I had my fingers in my ears.
It was because she was cut off by a talk show host (she might have been a
caller) who disagreed with her criticism. He edited her off the airwaves.
It is difficult if not impossible to criticize someone in these post
cataclysmic days who is busy waving a flag and urging everyone else to do
the same as a patriotic duty. I do not own one and when one was printed in
the newspaper it was easy enough to cut it out and paste it up in the only
window where it could be seen. But, I am not a flag waver although I am
patriotic. In fact, I am a former Boy Scout and Army VETERAN!
Editing someone's writings, words or composition of some kind is a
necessary part of the process of expressing thoughts. It would be
unthinkable to send something out that shows carelessness or ignorance. So,
editing is important. It is an entirely another thing, however, if the
editor censors something critical because it does not agree with the
editor's sentiments.
I sometimes find that what I write is subject to rejection, not because of
how I say it but because of what I choose to say. I welcome editing. I ask
for it. But, critics of my criticism - beware! What do you think?
Carol's Evaluation: 10 out of 10.
|
 |
|