Senators-
In today's (Sunday) Free Press you may notice an editorial I wrote.  It
appears on page 5-E.  There are a few things you should know when reading it.
1) I submitted it to the Free Press on 10/12/98 - at a time when it was
relevant.
2) They materially altered its message by cutting off the end of it.
The only reason I am bringing this to your attention at all is because
under my name they note my SGA involvement.  Thus, there is the distinct
possibility that some people may wrongfully associate it with the Senate
body as a whole.  In the form they printed it that would not be an
especially favorable outcome.
Below I have included the full text.  A quick comparison will reveal that
what they cut off was the most important, solution seeking, part of the
entire piece.

>       I would like to take a moment to condemn the flagrantly unbalanced
reporting on the part of the Burlington Free Press in the wake of what
police and city officials have come to so conveniently call a "riot".  The
Free Press has printed article after article, not to mention countless
opinions by uninformed citizens, citing the role UVM students played in the
disturbance.
>       I find it deeply disturbing that so little attention has been paid to the
well witnessed fact that the police on the scene that night, far from being
the saviors of downtown the Free Press has portrayed them to be, behaved
inappropriately.  It is a fact that innocent people were pepper sprayed and
otherwise abused by the police.  I do not espouse the view that such
behavior was justification for the crowd's actions but one must certainly
realize that the police played a part in making the situation WORSE.
>       Furthermore, stop attacking UVM students - undoubtedly the economic
lifeblood of Burlington.  Burlington, and especially the opinion page of
the Free Press, is becoming a very hostile place for UVM students.  (AT
THIS POINT THE FREE PRESS CUTS THE LETTER OFF)  Alienating the students is
not a particularly effective way of fostering the open dialogue and mutual
understanding necessary for positive change and progress.
>       Perhaps the Free Press could work to balance its coverage of UVM student
life with some stories about all the good things students bring to the
city.  For example, UVM students regularly engage in volunteer and
political activities all over the city.  We have a right to expect balanced
coverage and fair representation from the city's only major newspaper.
>       -Chris Allen.
>       Second year UVM student, Student Government Association Senator.