WEDNESDAY LETTERS: Praise for the IRE Awards, Appreciation for Buchwald, and More on Domenech

By: David S. Hirschman With a new Online Editor finally in place, we are ready to roll with more regular Letters postings. Today's letters include praise for the high standards of the IRE Awards, an appreciation for Art Buchwald, and questions over whether the Domenech firing was politically motivated.
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IRE Keeps High Standards

Good piece by Joe Strupp on why one of the most important stories of the year was not eligible for an Investigative Reporters and Editors award.

I judge several contests each year (including screening this year's IRE book awards) and in my experience IRE has the highest standards.

There may be higher standards for awards I have not judged (Pulitzer, Ring, Goldsmith, for example). I just do not know. I do recall that David Shaw once did a series on the Pulitzer selections that, as I recall, prompted some changes.

Because of IRE's ethical standards and rigorous judging I treasure my 2004 IRE medal for my book "Pefectly Legal" more than my Pulitzer, but I also understand why only about 5,000 people, the IRE members, might appreciate that.

My first book, a 1992 casino industry expose titled "Temples of Chance," was rejected for an IRE award solely because it lacked endnotes. That hurt, but the judges were right and I respect them for not bending their standards in a year when no book award was given.

David Cay Johnston
Reporter, The New York Times

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Hedges Wasn't the Only Seer

There were many who foresaw what Hedges did, but they didnt have corp media status, and their views didn't further the precooked agenda. That is why you missed them, but they were out there in force.

Thank God, masses are ignoring beginning to tune them out and listen to the dissenters... daily we hear of news chains going under and that's to the best. Those are the advocates of the lie that brought us Iraq and the Israel-backed mess over there.

It didn't take a seer to see that sir, and many others of us did. Common sense.

Trish Schuh

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Appreciation for Art Buchwald

When I was a kid in Tennessee, I would wait for the paperboy to deliver the afternoon paper to the mailbox at the end of our long driveway. I was really waiting for Art Buchwald. Grabbing the newspaper as soon as the paperboy was out of sight, I would spread it out over the driveway and enjoy a good read. Art was the attraction and the rest of paper came along for the ride. After finishing reading, I would try to fold the paper and put it back in the mailbox. I must not have done a good job because my dad would yell at the paperboy for delivering the paper in such poor condition. The paperboy would yell at me for getting him in trouble. It was well worth the wrath.

Art Buchwald started a love of newspapers in me that has continued for the rest of my 54 years. Much love and thanks to you Art for your wonderful wit and wisdom!

Polly Price
Atlanta, GA

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Bush Blogs On?

Just one word for your soliloquy on Bush as blogger -- brilliant! Especially the last line -- for balance the Post is seeking a liberal Republican -- laugh out loud.

Bri Held

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War Correspodents in Luxury Trenches

During the first Gulf War (and when did we ever think there wasn't
going to be a second), everyone kept asking me what the blue domes
were behind all the talking heads "somewhere in Saudi Arabia."

They could not believe me when I told them that they were the covers
of the showers next to the pool at the Dhahran International Hotel.
They were shocked to find out the talking heads were bravely
broadcasting poolside.

No difference today.

Jeff Duran

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Did Domenech Blog Uproar at 'Post' Have Political Edge?

Are there any "journalists" currently working for any MSM outlets that have engaged in plagiarism of any type? Any, say liberal politicians, ever got thrown out of school? Or how about famous liberal historians (Goodwin) every get fried [sic] by the Post for their sins? Double standard? Probably.

Dallas D. Jackson
Vacaville California