JUST A THOUGHT COLUMN: This paper isn't fit to be trashed or hidden
By Nate Bloomquist
Apache editor
The late Mike Royko, IVCC athletic director Mike Riley, and my late grandfather all have one thing in common - they’re compassionate about newspapers.
Royko was known for his ability to polarize his readers. He would get numerous complaints from readers who disagreed with him. The always witty Royko would offer to give the reader his or her 50 cents back or whatever the newspaper had cost at that time.
My late grandfather read the newspaper religiously every day. He’d sit in his chair in the corner of his living room and vigorously read the paper from cover to cover, often laughing at what he had read.
When I was younger I would sneak up on him and poke at the paper as it was opened up in front of him. I’d quickly run away as he’d close the paper and laugh at his mischievous grandchild.
When he read something in the paper that upset him, he’d launch the paper across the room and he’d get up and do something else.
Apparently, Riley also feels strongly about what he reads in the newspaper, specifically this one. According to sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Riley removed a pile of the Feb. 1 issue of the Apache. Riley confirmed this and said he removed the stack of newspapers and put them under his desk because in his words, he had received too many complaints.
A stack of Apache newspapers were also found in the trash. Riley denied throwing any papers away but said several athletes were upset with what ran in the edition.
It’s not hard to understand the actions of this trio. The press is a powerful constitutionally-protected medium. I encourage readers to respond to what they read. It was my grandfather’s passion for newspapers that inspires me to become a thought-provoking columnist.
But Riley and my grandfather could’ve reacted differently to what they read. Newspapers, including this one are open for feedback. The Apache has space set aside in each issue for letters to the editor. Riley could’ve expressed his gripe with the paper or even with a phone call to our office (224-0310). Neither such effort was made. Instead, Riley denied others the opportunity to read our award winning newspaper.
The Apache staff, myself included, present the facts. When we don’t we’ll ‘fess up to it. Our purpose is to inform, enlighten and sometimes enliven our readers with opinions. The newspaper isn’t college propaganda, nor is it promotional material for the college. If bad news happens on campus, we’ll report it and likewise for the opposite. If we didn’t report both of those in addition to voicing our opinions, the Apache wouldn’t be a newspaper. That’d make us a newsletter.
Riley must’ve objected to the Apache sports staff’s grading of the men’s basketball team. If his only protest is to hide the objectionable material, that’s childish.
The athletes that are upset share the same right of free speech the Apache has. Let their voices be heard, and Riley’s too. If nothing else, those who still feel like tossing the Apache, next time they should use the recycle bin.