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Okay, I usually don't engage with commentary and opinion pieces much, but this has even been texted to me, in addition to all the twitter comments today.
Our columnist Peter Lucas has gone and made people mad. I'm gonna see if I can make everyone madder. https://www.lowellsun.com/2020/07/31/its-not-the-cops-that-need-oversight-its-the-press/
Our columnist Peter Lucas has gone and made people mad. I'm gonna see if I can make everyone madder. https://www.lowellsun.com/2020/07/31/its-not-the-cops-that-need-oversight-its-the-press/
Ever since I joined @LowellSunNews 18 years ago we've been publishing wild, many say distasteful, columns and editorials. It's a thing we do. Always has been.
I often disagree vigorously. I do now. I admire and respect both local police and local protestors and activists.
I often disagree vigorously. I do now. I admire and respect both local police and local protestors and activists.
There's cops in Lowell I've known for 18 years. Supervisors who I knew when they were academy grads. They have kids and families. I've watched them save lives.
I've held them accountable when I've had to. They have made mistakes.
I've held them accountable when I've had to. They have made mistakes.
And there's activists in Lowell who I've literally watched grow up, because they've followed me since they were teens.
I know their hearts. They're amazing, strong, caring, educated people. They should be listened to.
I know their hearts. They're amazing, strong, caring, educated people. They should be listened to.
So if ya'll wanna call me slanted go right ahead. I've got 18 years worth of clips if you wanna come at me.
But the real rub here is proposing a clearly unconstitutional commission just days after DHS admitted something only half this big-government is clearly problematic.
But the real rub here is proposing a clearly unconstitutional commission just days after DHS admitted something only half this big-government is clearly problematic.
It pisses me off when everyone from Obama to Trump act like the First Amendment shouldn't protect opinionated journalism.
Learn your own county's history, PLEASE.
Completely biased newspapers were actually a major tool of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
Learn your own county's history, PLEASE.
Completely biased newspapers were actually a major tool of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
Even Wikipedia has a pretty detailed history of early newspapers. Give it a read. Even if you hate the press, get to know your enemy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_American_newspapers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_American_newspapers
And many of early newspapers in America — the ones in existence when the First Amendment was written — were literally owned, operated and published by the political parties themselves.
They would often be run out of town when leadership changed parties. Hence, we protected them
They would often be run out of town when leadership changed parties. Hence, we protected them
If you've ever suggested that opinionated or slanted journalism should lead to censorship, you need to be educated about your country's history.
Quite frankly, you're exactly the ignorant menace that our heroic founders made their first amendment a protection against.
Quite frankly, you're exactly the ignorant menace that our heroic founders made their first amendment a protection against.
I disagree wholeheartedly with my colleague Peter Lucas, but I'm damn proud to work for a paper that publishes his column.
If you disagree, please respond to him, tell him why he's wrong. Engage.
But do NOT ask my newspaper to censor opinions. That is not what we do.
If you disagree, please respond to him, tell him why he's wrong. Engage.
But do NOT ask my newspaper to censor opinions. That is not what we do.
I want those who agree with Lucas to know they have a voice in our pages, just like those who support change and defunding the police do.
In the words of Elijah Lovejoy, who was shot through the chest and killed while defending his right to publish:
In the words of Elijah Lovejoy, who was shot through the chest and killed while defending his right to publish:
"As long as I am an American citizen, and as long as American blood runs in these veins, I shall hold myself at liberty to speak, to write, and to publish whatever I please on any subject, being amenable to the laws of my country for the same."
I'm sorry Peter Lucas made a lot of you mad. I don't feel disrespected by his opinions. I feel proud to work for a publication that isn't afraid to publish things that we know will make people angry.
Please challenge his ideas, not our right to publish them.
Please challenge his ideas, not our right to publish them.
For those of you still pissed, please let me highly recommend this column that we also ran this weekend.
I first met Karen 18 years ago when I put her on blast for giving a superintendent a huge raise. She's been a leader in this community ever since. https://www.lowellsun.com/2020/08/02/the-truth-about-black-lives-matter/
I first met Karen 18 years ago when I put her on blast for giving a superintendent a huge raise. She's been a leader in this community ever since. https://www.lowellsun.com/2020/08/02/the-truth-about-black-lives-matter/
We try to publish both sides. If you want to disagree with Peter Lucas, instead of just asking us to censor him, please send a letter to my editor. @tomshattuck
Also since I mentioned that I disagree with Lucas, here's a couple of links that I want to provide just to maintain some balance even as I share my opinions on the press.
Ya'll know @BarackObama recognized @LowellPD as a leader?
https://www.lowellsun.com/2016/05/23/citys-community-policing-efforts-earn-white-house-recognition/
https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/blog/president-s-task-force-21st-century-policing-recommendations-print-action
Ya'll know @BarackObama recognized @LowellPD as a leader?
https://www.lowellsun.com/2016/05/23/citys-community-policing-efforts-earn-white-house-recognition/
https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/blog/president-s-task-force-21st-century-policing-recommendations-print-action
