The right to express an opinion
One of the great things about living in the United States of America is you have the right to express your opinion. Even if you end up showing yourself to be a total moron while doing it.
Michael Moore, co-winner of the documentary Bowling for Columbine, accepted an academy award during the 75th annual Oscar ceremony Sunday night, and launched into a diatribe against President George W. Bush and the war during his acceptance speech.
Whether or not you personally support the conflict, now is the time to support the people who are over there fighting for the very freedoms which give people like Mr. Moore the right to express an opinion and protest.
But on a day when the first POWs were taken and American soldiers were killed, Moore's vehement statement was out-of-place. Apparently, most of the other artists were smart enough to realize that circumstances had changed with the day's events. Press reports prior to the awards indicated anti-war speeches would be given by several award winners.
In a related issue, I have to admit I am pleased that the 24/7 live war coverage has ceased on network TV — at least for the time being. I know reality TV shows are in vogue, but I don't think "War" needs to be one of them.
In my opinion, the continuous coverage is a little too much. If you have a son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister, or whoever over there, it's hard enough knowing your loved one is possibly in harm's way without having to see it every time you turn on the tube.
So much of that live coverage consists of little other than the "talking heads" rattling on. And these network news anchors repeat the same thing over and over and over again.
Anyhow, for what it's worth, that's one woman's opinion. Luckily, I live in the U.S.A. where I can express an opinion.
Now to shift gears, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who was so kind to me during my short time here in Marion. This will be my last issue as news editor with the Marion County Record. My husband, son, and I are moving to western Kansas to be near both our families. When I came to Marion in October, I fully expected to be here for years, but things change and sometimes they change quickly.
I want to thank Bill Meyer for allowing me to work at the Marion County Record. People here don't realize how respected Bill is among other journalists in the state, nation, and even internationally. Working for Bill is akin to working for William Allen White in the early years of the 20th century.
It's been an interesting education. There's an awful lot of news to be gathered in Marion County. It's amazing how much goes on in this little town.
I've made some wonderful friends here at Hoch Publishing and in Marion. I'll miss you all. But we'll stay in touch. That's the great thing about e-mail.
— KATHY HAGEMAN
