Perhaps the solution to your “space limitation” problem is more obvious to readers than your staff.
I’d like to propose that you consider responding to reader requests. Merely substitute the required space gained by not publishing letters from individuals who seem to feel that they deserve their own forum in the Opinion section in almost every issue, starting with Mr. Bob Bates. Get him an office and place his new column in the back of each issue – say, near News Quirks.
This guy needs to get a life (or you need to look for some new filler material).
Bill McMillan, Redmond
Editor’s note: The Source Weekly publishes letters in the order that we receive them, giving preference to those writers who have not been previously or recently published. We do not, however, penalize writers for being prolific.
This article appears in May 8-14, 2008.
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Thank you, Bill, for speaking up about what many of us have been talking about amongst ourselves. Bates is definitely the Energizer Bunny of letters. A few issues back, in his responses to critical comments made against one of his all to frequent lectures, he posted 24,673 rambling words on that one thread, including most of a ridiculous speech by former President Eisenhower. If there is a positive upside to his seemingly endless elitist output, it is that he gets taken at a full gallop, straight to the woodshed, every time he writes.
Bob Bates has had and continues to have a very active life. He spent many years at considerable personal and family sacrifice helping to successfully save Topanga Canyon from developers, including the Disney family. Now he has taken on the task of opposing bigotry and religious zealotry. Sure beats apathy and hedonism.
I am going to let stand these two comments about Mr. Bates. That will be the extent of the commentary on this thread personally about the man. If you would like to post about our letters policy or other larger themes provoked by this letter fire away.
Bob Bates doesn’t use the Internet but has asked me to submit his comment below. Given he has a right to defend himself, I hope you will agree to making an exception to closing this thread.
“Thank you C. T. Belza for your posting (sent to me ba a friend) of May 7, ’08. As a rule, I prefer not to respond to pure bad-mouthing that’s void of substance. However, I was delighted to hear that one of my letters (perhaps C. T. can identify it – I can’t) generated “24,673 rambling words” in response! Probably an all-time record, especially if they were all complimentary!? I don’t read the postings. If C. T. is trying to get my attention, he needs to write a single critique of my last three letters (Apr. 17 & 24, May – the SOURCE) and submit it to the SOURCE editor for publication. Should be excellent reading, assuming he possesses the audacity to write it! On “a positive upside”, perhaps I’ll meet him in the “woodshed”!