Blank editorial was an insult to voters
As a former half-owner of the Observer-Reporter, I disassociate myself from the insulting blank-page editorial about the election for president of the United States. My wife, Sally D. Northrop, who does own a small portion of the paper, is mortified.
The editorial, or lack thereof, is an insult to the voters, including those who supported Hillary Clinton. It was like a giant middle finger not only to the Trump voters but the entire electorate. It denigrated the whole voting process and the hard work hundreds of workers on both sides put into the effort to draw voters to the polls. The turnout was enthusiastic, the results a startling upset against historical measures. It was worthy of comment, however displeased the operating owners at the O-R might have been with the outcome. Getting the vapors was childish and journalistically inappropriate.
As a former journalist and sometimes editorial writer and decider, we are aware that the editorial page is separate from the news sections and the owners can say what they want and even how they want. They still have journalistic and professional responsibilities to their readers. Not to even analyze the election or to recognize in any form the political workers and the voters was extraordinarily self-centered.
This election was a difficult one, with deeply flawed candidates on both sides, Clinton as well as Trump. Whatever one’s personal feelings, it was the 45th peaceful transfer of power in the most powerful nation on Earth. That is, it will be peaceful if the arrogant political left permits it to be. Nonetheless, transferring such power is, in itself, a world event and deserves the respect of all our citizens.
The displeasure or even disdain the owners have for Trump could have been expressed easily and appropriately from their political viewpoint while acknowledging the voters, including their choice (or choices), however they might have disagreed with it. In elections, there are winners and losers. To set oneself above the voters’ choice as a self-appointed designee of what is the ultimate rightness and wrongness makes the O-R the biggest loser in this election.
Bill and Sally Northrop
North Redington Beach, Fla.