Chris Allen wrote:

> Haven't we at least got to TRY to change the way things are when we see
> they are wrong?

Yes, but in a strategic approach.  Trying to gain the sympathy of the
residents of Burlington through a hostile editorial is not a strategic
action plan.  Going to the director of the free press and talking with
him/her IS.

> Finally, I had no "ulterior motive" (except, perhaps, in hindsight, to
> piss-off people like you and force you to look up "ulterior") but since you
> obviously have one in mind feel free to throw it out.

(1)The nature of my letter was not to be condensending and I'm terribly
sorry you took it that way -- emails always get misinterpreted. It was a
criticism of your action. (2) One of you motivations to write your
editorial, was to "piss people off!?"  Chris, that is very immature and
unbecoming of a student representative. (3)  I didn't, for the record,
have to look up the word ulterior, but I thought it was cute of you to say
that I did.

Please let reason, not passion, motivate your actions.
-Chris








> At 02:43 PM 11/16/98 -0500, you wrote:
> >Chris,
> >
> >I have a few questions...
> >
> >(1) The Free Press already hs a negative view of
> >UVM did you honestly believe that writing an editorial condemning their
> >actions would have "positive" outcomes and would be re-printed verbatim? I
> >certainly don't, it seems contrary to reason to be writing negatively to
> >an already hostile source!
> >
> >(2) Wouldn't you agree that your worries were misdirected?  The majority
> >of the readers of the Free Press, frankly, I think, won't feel an ounze of
> >sympathy for your remarks.  The majority of people in Burlington have a
> >negative view of UVM and its students.  The point is, your concerns should
> >be targetted at the director of the free press and not the citizens of
> >Burlington.
> >
> >Don't get me wrong, I'm all for fair reporting but that is just a dream -
> >not a reality.  People WANT to hear about everything that UVM is doing
> >wrong because that is what sells, case and point.  Troubling as it is,
> >that is the way things are.  It would be nice if all of humanity could be
> >at peace with one another - that just a'nt going to happen.
> >
> >What was the ulterior motive of your editorial?
> >
> >Chris Lowman
> >
> >
> >On Sun, 15 Nov 1998, Chris Allen wrote:
> >
> >> 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