TO OUR READERS

One reader suggested that the newspaper is "hard up for money" because we accepted the insert, which he described as "a thinly disguised propaganda piece." Another reader called our impartiality into question because we ran this "one-sided" advertisement. I agree that the insert is both propagandistic and one-sided, but the point of advertising is to sway people's passions and demonstrate that one product, service, candidate or ideology is superior to another. Often, the most persuasive arguments are neither objective nor forgiving. The DP rejects advertising that is factually or historically inaccurate or otherwise libelous. Only a few weeks ago, the DP refused an advertisement promoting Holocaust revisionist paraphernalia. However, we did not find the anti-abortion advertisement factually questionable, nor can we presume it is any more dangerous or offensive than a pro-choice advertisement would be. Whether its message is morally outrageous is a decision for the reader, not the DP, to make. The DP does not embrace or share the opinions of our columnists or advertisers, but we respect their right to circulate opinions and will continue to provide the means for them to do so. Whether these opinions will be warmly received or angrily rejected by our readers has no bearing on our decision to publish. Customer service does not extend to censoring material that may raise eyebrows. The message conveyed by the advertising insert is not "thinly disguised." The insert does not hide its bias, but rather screams it. Its intent is obvious, and even the most thick-skinned of us might be bothered or at least awakened by its openness. Trumpeting free speech only when it suits our individual ends is antithetical to what this University and this newspaper stand for. That the message of an independently funded advertisement should be perceived as the our own, or that we should apologize for its candor or viewpoint, belies our commitment to free, responsible and peaceful expression. I welcome your continued feedback on this issue. -- Adam Mark, Executive Editor