In a February 19th column entitled “Publisher responds to ‘attack’ on 3 citizens,” Michael Schuver, publisher of the Branson Tri-Lakes News, expressed his opinion on a column that the Ole Seagull had written. While an Ole Seagull appreciates Schuver’s right to express his opinion as to his characterization of the column as an “attack” he has a problem understanding a professional journalist making, in his opinion, untrue and misleading statements of alleged fact.
Let’s take some of them one by one. The format will be “Schuver Said” followed by the Ole Seagull’s Response TOSGR:
1. Schuver Said: About 20 years ago, Groman used to write his column for your newspaper. He parted ways with us when he wanted us to print something he wrote that we found to be irresponsible, in our professional opinion. When we wouldn’t print his column, well, that was the end of that relationship.
TOSGR: These days it’s hard for an Ole Seagull to remember back 20 years, but the good news is that he doesn’t have to remember because it was Schuver who wrote, as a fact, “About 20 years ago, Groman used to write his column for your newspaper. He parted ways with us when he wanted us to print something he wrote that we found to be irresponsible, in our professional opinion. When we wouldn’t print his column, well, that was the end of that relationship.” As a matter of honor Gary J. Groman, a.k.a. “The Ole Seagull,” would challenge Schuver to produce the alleged column they would not print or the basis for his alleged statement of fact. (See #2 below.) Absent that, the journalistic integrity of the alleged statement of fact, and the person who wrote it, speak for themselves.
2. Schuver Said: He presents his belief in that to be “facts,” citing statistics to make his point.
TOSGR: An Ole Seagull would apologize for citing statistics and other references as the basis for the four factual situations he mentioned in the column. He understands, particularly after what was, in his opinion, a series of “advertorials” for the TCED tax, not so cleverly disguised as news articles, that the “Branson Tri-Lakes News” published under his leadership, why Scruver might not appreciate giving a “basis” for things stated as facts.
3. Schuver Said: Groman says the TCED tax should go away because…”
TOSGR: The Ole Seagull has a pretty good idea what “Groman” has said about the TCED Tax. He would appreciate it if Schuver would cite one instance where the Ole Seagull said, “The TCED tax should go away because…” Absent that, the journalistic integrity of the alleged statement of fact, and the person who wrote it, speak for themselves.
4. Schuver Said: But to claim a monopoly on “the facts” is both misleading and ridiculous.
TOSGR: Again, an Ole Seagull would appreciate it if Schuver would cite one instance in the column, or for that matter any of his columns, where the Ole Seagull claimed to have “a monopoly on the facts.” Absent that, the journalistic integrity of the alleged statement of fact and the person that wrote it, speak for themselves.