Newspaper Editor To CB Repurrter "I Really Do Hate Being Politically Correct"

July 06, 2010

Newspaper Editor To CB Repurrter "I Really Do Hate Being Politically Correct"

On June 22nd I blogged about what led me to write a letter to those in charge at the Weekly Grunion Gazette, in Long Beach/Belmont Shores, Ca., and shared that letter:

Dear Gazette Newspapers: May I Have a Word?

It took a little effort, but I finally got a response!

My SECOND letter did the trick. ;-D

ATTENTION:

Simon Grieve - Publisher
Harry Saltzgaver - Ass. Pub & Exec. Ed.
Shirley Dixon - Ass. to Publisher
Darcy Leigh Richardson - Editor

Dear Gazetteers:

Hi there, it's me, Nikita Cat!

Again...Hee, hee! ;-D

This is a follow-up to my e-mail of June 22nd:

First, however, I wish to make sure you are aware of the kind helpfulness of one of your Staff Writer's in replying to a comment I left to the most recent Pet Column.

Ashleigh Oldland was most helpful in explaining a technical detail that allowed me to better link to your website & the column so my readers can find it if they choose.

Now as to my e-mail:

Maybe Goblins ate my e-mail so you may not be aware of the comments left to my Blog Post version of the Letter I sent you.

That is the only explanation I can come up with for why I have not heard from you. ;-D

I believe you will find my original essay, my letter to you , and the very thoughtful comments left on my blog well worth your time, and proof, along with the rest of my blogging efforts, that I am a serious member of the "New Journalism" Community, and not some prankster.

BTW: I would be very interested in your thoughts on this situation going on right under your very nose:

Seen and Heard #5: Why Food Should Only Be Served AFTER the Meeting.

Follow-up: Seen and Heard 8: On the Horns of a Dilemma in Los Angeles.

Sincerely yours,

NIKITA CAT

Proud Pussy Pundit Since 2002!

Offishul Repurrter of The Cat Blogosphere Website

Yesterday I got a response.....

It was a quite fascinating response, hee, hee!

Nikita,

Thanks for your missives, and your campaign. It is interesting and more than a little amusing.

However, and I really do hate being politically correct, it honestly does not fit the editorial mix of our newspapers. I believe your blog is the perfect place to discuss this unfortunate evolution of language.

Best,

Harry Saltzgaver
Executive Editor

After much thought I responded in this way.....

Dear Mr. Saltzgaver:

Thank you very much for the compliments, and for taking me seriously.

Both really mean a lot.

You join Pet Tales at the OC Register in doing so. ;-D

As for being PC & your Editorial Mix...

But, but, but, I thought sex was all Grunions had on the br...oh, wait, Grunions aren't really putting out the paper? Sorry, my bad! ;-D

Seriously, though....

Thank you for being honest in your answer.

I understand completely.

You are the first to directly address the issue when I bring it up, and I appreciate it.

PETA, when I finally got a reply out of them, just called me "creative", then spent the rest of their letter defending themselves from some link in my sidebar, never going near the question of the P Word. ;-D

Daddy says the OC Weekly, because of its style, and "Editorial Mix", and maybe the LA Weekly, too, would have been all over it like a lubricated condom all over, well, um, never mind, I'm a CAT so what do I know of such human pracitices?

After perusing them, I understand what he means, language-wise, anyway. ;-D

Sincerely yours,