Thursday

journalism (not)

You know, there is something wrong when a "reporter" assigned to cover a particular beat publishes an op-ed column in the same publication in which he expresses blatant disdain for/biases within said beat.

That's the case with this "reporter," Brian Mosely, and his published commentary on the very important development controversies currently facing my hometown of Bell Buckle.

How can he even attempt to write straight news coverage of Bell Buckle government and development issues when he's already laid out his personal, prejudicial views on the opinion page?

The Shelbyville Times Gazette now has an obligation to assign another reporter to cover Bell Buckle, someone who keeps his personal views to himself and out of what should be straight reportage.
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1 comment:

Julie said...

My mother's letter to the editor in response to Mosely's op-ed outburst:

I must take strong exception to Brian Mosley's column in the opinion section. While we have brave men and women risking their lives in other countries so their citizens may have a voice, he is suggesting that Bell Buckle residents should sit quietly and passively and allow the soul of their community, not to mention their property values, be destroyed. I think not.

That said, I take particular exception to the following: "It seems that many in Bell Buckle want the town to be a nice place to visit, but they don't want anyone else to live there. After some of the outbursts I've witnessed, I'm not sure I'd want to either."

That is absolutely false and Mr. Mosley should know that. Bell Buckle is the most welcoming community for new residents - rich, poor, middle class, young and old. We are probably the most diverse small community in many respects in the state of Tennessee and we are a family. There are homes for sale and rent in various price ranges most of the time and we love to have new folks move into town. In fact, they often are welcomed with a cookout or a lunch in their honor at the Bell Buckle Cafe.

What Mr. Mosley has not figured out during the past year is quite simple and quite plain. We do not want to annex property for huge subdivisions. We do not want to give up what we have to make developers rich. We do not want to further crowd Cascade School, create traffic and crime problems, raise taxes to provide services for developments or change the type of community we have chosen as our home.

For those who wish to move to Bell Buckle, y'all come. As a bonus, in addition to those things that are apparent, you'll find a new home town in which citizens are interested and involved and take the time to attend government meetings. You'll find what makes this country great - citizen participation. You'll find citizens doing what our founding fathers did and civil rights leaders did. You'll find citizens who care enough to stand up for what is right even when they are tired from a day at work and it would be easier to stay at home. You'll find a community concerned about the future and willing to give that concern more than lip service.

Mr. Mosley should read some history texts and refresh his memory as to what we, as citizens, are supposed to do.

Thursday, September 29, 2005 at 6:16:00 PM GMT

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