More than a few readers of the Wisconsin State Journal reacted viscerally to this week's series on "body art" -- the tattoos, piercing and even scarring that some consider art and others consider obscene.

Here are a few reactions:

Tom Rutlin: With all the really important things going on in our city, state and world, you chose Treasured tattoos to headline this day's paper??? The state of the 5^th estate is in decline enough without stooping to dedicate a front page headline to singing the praises of tattoos. How about a nice piece for tomorrow's front page headline on the wonderful bonding that occurs when cigarette smokers gather outside buildings all over town to exercise their addiction. I'm sure the tobacco industry would be just as grateful as the tattoo industry was for today's glowing piece. Or maybe a nice piece on how "mainstream" drug use is and on the bonding that occurs when parents and their children get high at home together. You're furthering your reputation as the Wisconsin State Urinal.

Tom Tabone: I can't believe You gave "Treasured tattoos" the headline on your Monday morning paper! Did nothing more newsworthy happen over the weekend? I guess the fact that stem cells in amniotic fluid could be extracted without destroying human embryos isn't very important. Maybe I shouldn't have such high expectations for such a podunk paper!

I replied to the Toms along these lines:

Simply writing about trends or things that are happening around us does not constitute an endorsement of the activity being described. I've had an advance look at two more stories on this topic that we'll publish this week, and some of the practices described are a bit surprising to me, a person with no tattoo, pierced skin or other body adornment. But I like learning about people, places and practices that are outside my experience, and forming my own opinion based on the facts presented by our reporters.

You're correct that insensitive smokers and parents who lack basic common sense are fodder for the front page, too. Writing about these folks and their behavior doesn't mean we condone their conduct any more than we support the accused murderers, child molesters or recently executed dictators that we also feature on the front page.

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. Please send an e-mail or join the forum on this topic.