THURSDAY'S LETTERS: Press' 'Calling' Is Deafening, Tragedy in Lebanon, Strupp Column on Ad Sales Not Far Off

By: E&P Staff In today's letters, a reader responds to Joe Strupp's column about ads on section fronts, another reader questions the idea of journalists' "calling," and responses to Greg Mitchell's columns on the Israel/Lebanon conflict.


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Ads, Ads Everywhere

A number of years ago, probably 10 or more, I wrote a column for the Indianapolis Star where I offered to sell my middle initial, D., to the highest bidder. In fact, I suggested Dunkin Donuts would be a good buyer. I argued that they'd get their company name in the paper about 250 times a year, which would be good advertising.

Judging by [Joe Strupp's] piece today, I was ahead of my time. (smile)

Marc D. Allan


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On the Press' Calling

Recently I met a man who is a journalist. I asked him what made him choose that profession. He told me it was a "calling." It made me think of a time back in Catholic school when I was 12, during vocations week. Our priest told us why he chose the priesthood. He said it was a "calling." I'm a copy writer for an ad agency. I chose my job because it was offered to me, not because of some grandiose belief that I was "ordained" by some mystical power. It's difficult today to tell the journalists from the preachers. Your "calling" is more like a deafening, scream to the rest of us unconverted "little people."

D. Papaccio
Chicago, Ill.


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On Greg Mitchell's Columns on the Israel/Lebanon Conflict

I am very dismayed about what is happening [in Lebanon], and about this country's complicity. Why aren't the Bushites touting democracy in Lebanon anymore? Was their commitment really that phony? (rhetorical question ...)

Richard Myers
Denver, Colo.



In today's world it is very sad that there are hundred of "experts" (on both sides of the aisle) that are part of the media and claim to be experts on warfare. For once I'd like to see people such as [David] Brooks walk a mile in the shoes of those that are on receiving end of the bombs, bullets and bloodshed. Perhaps, then, they would think a bit differently when it comes to being the aggressor from a cubicle in a newsroom thousands of miles away from the real world.

David Traub
Lakeville , Minn.