Help indict John Paul II's LA clone Cardinal Mahony face a new criminal probe
As many of you know, LA's Cardinal Roger Mahony faces a new criminal probe (see articles below).
It would be very helpful to have as many 'letters to the editor 'as possible on this subject.
The rule of thumb: the quicker and the shorter, the better. No need to write more than 4-6 sentences. Just calmly, clearly, simply express your opinion and keep this in the public eye.
Here are just a few of the stories:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/30/us/30mahony.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=mahony&st=cse
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-mahony30-2009jan30,0,7839159.story
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-mahony30-2009jan30,0,72353.story
Here's where letters can be sent:
letters@nytimes.com
letters@latimes.com
Need to remain anonymous? Please consider commenting on line, at the bottom of these articles, without disclosing your name:
http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_11587690
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=2740
(Other publications let you do this too. Just use "google news," type in "Cardinal Mahony," and a number of other articles will appear.)
The national staff is a little overwhelmed. If you have questions please contact your local SNAP leader. Please go to our website, SNAPnetwork.org for names and contact information.
Thanks for your help,
Barbara Dorris
Letters to the Editor
Tips to help you get published!
Abuse thrives in secrecy. Media coverage helps end that secrecy. It also emboldens other victims and concerned family members to come forward. Therefore, one easy step survivors can take to help one another is to write letters to the editor (for publication) of newspapers. Here are some tips.
Be brief, be quick and leave your phone numbers. These are the three most important things to remember when writing letters to the editor.
Be brief, because there's a lot of competition for a small amount of space.
Be quick in writing because the best letter in the world won't get run if the newspaper gets it 3 or 4 weeks after the original article it refers to was printed.
Leave your number. Many papers won't print letters unless they can call the author to verify that he or she wrote it. So sign the letter, and leave both your day and evening phone number.
Other tips:
1) Use statistics sparingly. They can get confusing and overwhelming very quickly.
2) Mention an article already printed by the paper. This dramatically increases the chances that your letter will be run.
3) Remember your audience. In most cases you're trying to sway the public, not your adversary. Therefore, you should take pains to seem moderate and fair. This doesn't mean you should be bland. But you should write with the average person in mind, and use phrases and arguments that resonate with them. You don't want John Q. Public to be turned off your rhetoric and think, "Well, both sides are extremists" (as often happens with the abortion issue for example).
4) A catchy first line is helpful. Instead of "I'm writing to respond to the Star Tribune editorial of August 3rd," try "As a gun owner, the August 3rd editorial left me wondering if Star Tribune editorial writers live in the real world."
5) Don't mention criticism that has been leveled against you or your organization. Avoid saying "I am not a crook, thief and a liar as reported in last week's Star Tribune." Better to say "Star Tribune readers wonder who's telling the truth in the controversy over___."
6) Use short punchy sentences. This makes it easier for the reader to follow your thinking and easier for the editor to cut your letter if necessary (and better to have an edited version of your letter printed than none at all).
7) Papers accept letters by fax and email as well as U.S. mail these days. It never hurts to send your letter via both fax and email.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home