Letters to the editor

[STGRule]

We sometimes complain a bunch on ifish about fisheries issues. Sometimes it just preaching to the choir. Some people choose to go to a larger audience. It can't be hard. We have to write to post here so writing to the newspaper is exactly the same thing. If you feel about an issue enough to cause you to post it here, send a copy to the newspaper.
Just like Straydog did. :grin:

[ 09-29-2003, 07:30 PM: Message edited by: STGRule ]

[Straydog]

This is kind of like practice for letters to the editor!!
:grin:

I have been "accused" of being one of the most published fish and school advocates in the state. My wife wishes I could find a way to get paid for all of the writing I do! [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

By the way folks, Letters to the Editor is one of the most read sections of the newspaper.

STG makes a good point. It is not much harder than writing on here.......

[Point-of-Sale Clerk]

STGRule

Writing letters to the editor is a sure fire way to expose ones views to a diverse as well as wider audience. In many cases letters to the editor also bring with them the notoriety or praise not found in an electronic bulletin board.
I congratulate Straydog (got his e-mail also) on his attempts to reach a wider audience but for many of us notoriety is not something that is considered advantageous. Many people work behind the scenes for long-term improvements on our sports fisheries and naturally produced wild populations of fishes. I agree that it is important to let the general public know how we feel but it is even more important that ODFW know as well. Becoming involved in the ongoing fisheries debate is both the best way to learn and make your fellings known at the same time.
STGRule, you have no idea the impact Ifish has had on many of the issues that has faced ODFW over the past several years. From individual employees all the way to the commission Ifish has provided a conduit for opinions to put forth before staff. When you find yourself discussing fisheries issues with a district biologist and they mention an Ifish discussion between STGRule and (some un-named person) from a year earlier you cannot help but feel that this board is special. I have sent many letters to the editor to many papers using many different names. Some have been printed, many were not, I for one do not feel discouraged simply because my name was not in the paper. Ifish offers a superior form of communication regarding these complicated issues over news print and would not exchange all the OP/ED in the world for what I have learned here at Ifish.

Although I shy away from attention I am most proud of the following observation.
I once received fan mail from the fisheries division at ODFW. :shocked:
A feat I my never equal again

[GutshotApe]

I've written some letters to editors and a few have been printed in The Oregonian and the Eugene R-G; and one ran in most SW Oregon papers from Albany to Gold Beach.

Politicians, especially, read the letters and form opinions about what is important to the larger general public based on them.

One major difference is the obvious one...Ifish commentary is immediate and can be edited...and even deleted. However, once you drop the letter in the mailbox, or email it to the paper, you're pretty much stuck with what you wrote.

So my advice is don't be in a hurry...edit your letter...sit on it for a day or so...edit again...and be sure its what you want to say. Also, I think it is better to be an infrequent letter writer...but make the few you do send in count by writing clearly, concisely and sticking to one theme, idea or point.

[ 09-30-2003, 09:05 AM: Message edited by: GutshotApe ]