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Who's Inciteful? Inciteful is the blog for Wisconsin State Journal editors, moderated by Tim Kelley, managing editor. Find perspectives behind the news and talk back to the editors in our forums.

E-mail Tim Kelley

THU., DEC 14, 2006 - 12:26 PM

Does front-page play make a hero?

Tim Kelley, managing editor

tkelley@madison.com

Some Wisconsin State Journal readers responded negatively to a front-page story Monday (sorry, PDF only) telling the tale of a U.S. soldier who deserted the armed forces and fled to Canada. For example:

I have been a long time subscriber to the WSJ, but after picking up the paper today (12-11-2006) and seeing a story on page one about a deserter from the Army and making he and his family out to be so wonderful and then turn to D3 and see the story of the young man and his family who gave the ultimate sacrifice to this country, do not know if I can continue to subscribe to the WSJ.

The article about the deserter made it appear he and his family were so wonderful due to their "wanting peace." Who in this country, does not want peace?? We are go about it in different ways.

I think that article was a slap in the face to all men and women who have served, are serving and especially those families whose loved ones never returned. I think that the WSJ should rethink what they put on page one. I don't mind feel-good stories, but this one was not one of those and I am deeply upset about the arrangement of these articles. The deserter story should have been on D3 and the marine's story should have made page one.

Sheryl Hinze

A McFarland reader made the same complain about a story detailing Rep. Marc Pocan's same-sex marriage:

First a front page article making a hero out of an army deserter; then, a front page article about a same-sex marriage! Please cancel my subscription.

Let me know when you hire a new Editor. Maybe I will resubscribe.

Thank you, Leonard Lane

Here's the gist of the response that I sent to these readers and others who registered the same objections:

Putting someone on the front page isn't an editorial endorsement of their conduct. Otherwise our list of media-anointed heroes could include accused killer Steven Avery, deposed dictator Saddam Hussein and many others who have graced the front page for activities that some or all of our readers might find distasteful.

These folks just make news. It's is interesting and important to inform readers that a lawmaker has entered into a same-sex marriage even though state voters rejected same-sex and civil unions in a referendum last month. It's interesting and important that a small but growing number of soldiers are deserting the armed forces, conjuring up recollections of the Vietnam era. We think our readers should know about these developments.

I'm always interested in what readers think about the news and our presentation of it, even if some of the daily news diet isn't always palatable to you.You can add your comments to the forum on this post, or e-mail anytime with ideas and criticisms of other coverage.