The term is coming to a close, and I have a few loose ends to put in a knot. To begin with, I once again need to apologize to the community. The past week or so has been fast and furious — and that is not an excuse –and two things slipped by that have caused anger and hurt. I don’t want to end the term that way, and we made mistakes in both cases.
First, in the editorial board’s piece about the offensive content and theft of the Oregon Commentator (“MISSING: First Amendment freedoms,” ODE, March 13), we wrote a few sentences badly. Toward the end of the piece, we listed seven groups or individuals that we said might have had motive for stealing the Commentator. Unfortunately, in context some people read our words as suggesting those groups were guilty.
We did not mean any such thing. And I’m sorry that our hasty writing or lack of editing might have left the door open for such an inference to be made. We are not privy to any information about the culprits in the Commentator theft, and we are not suggesting anyone is guilty. Our only point was to show the wide variety of campus organizations that were the subject of the Commentator’s ridicule in the most recent issue. We did it poorly, and I apologize.
Second, in a guest commentary on Wednesday (“Americans must end support for oppressive Israeli rule,” ODE, March 12), we failed to adequately fact-check and ran claims that very well may be false. At the least, I am unable now to verify the numbers the author cited. Ordinarily, the Emerald requires commentary page authors to provide citations for facts that could be disputed or that provide the basis for an argument.
In this case, we messed up. I have asked the author of that piece to provide citations for his facts, and he has not yet done so. Until such a time as I receive citations, I suggest that readers not believe what was printed. And I apologize for our sloppiness.
Anyone else is also free to provide more information, other facts and additional sources. We welcome submissions from people on every side of the Middle East issue. The topic is complicated and controversial, and the world can only work toward a peaceful solution with extensive dialogue — but dialogue based on confirmed facts.
I know some readers were hurt by the claims made in the piece, and I apologize to them specifically. We don’t support the assertions made and we won’t allow unverified claims to be printed again.
In the way of good-byes, the Emerald today loses one of its longest-running commentary voices and a valued member of the staff. Editorial editor Pat Payne graduates this term, and the paper will miss him. Since his first column, “Baka to the left of me, Baka to the right,” on Oct. 5, 2000, Pat’s disdain of groupthink, knowledge of history and unique sense of humor have been an asset to the paper.
Pat’s Emerald work has been picked up by national media over the years, most recently with the inclusion of one of his columns in a writing textbook. Thanks for bringing the Emerald wider recognition, Pat, thanks for being a pleasure to work with, and good luck in your career. Keep on keeping the left-wing baka and the right-wing mouthbreathers honest. (P.S. The office couch will miss you, too.)
Finally, good luck to everyone on finals, and stay safe over the break. There is a strong possibility America will be at war when spring term begins, and if that’s the case, we will work to bring you as much information about it as possible. Also, when we resume publishing on March 31, we will begin breakneck ASUO elections coverage.
So have fun, let that fake-tan orange glow wear off (you know who you are), and return to campus juiced for more learning, more controversial ideas and more news.
Peace and Joy,
Mike
Contact the editor in chief at [email protected].