Pundits

This page was last updated on February 8, 2019.

This section covers editorials, letters to the editor, opinion columns, and faux press releases on politician web sites.  Do not assume I agree with an editorial or other op-ed piece just because I don’t publish a critique.

I also submit letters to the editor.  There are limitations of that approach, however, and they include:

• Out of necessity, newspapers place a limit on letter size.  For example, the Beaver County Times has a limit of 200 words.  Most other newspapers have a similar limit.  The problem with the limit is that thorough discussion of a topic is tough to do in 200 words or less, especially when trying to refute “drive-by” assertions.  The letter-length limit is even tougher to deal with when you want to include excerpts of a piece for context so the reader knows exactly what you are talking about.

• There is no guarantee the newspaper will publish your letter.

• Newspapers occasionally edit significant content in your letter.

• Some newspapers limit the number of your letters they will publish in a given period of time.  For example, I believe the Beaver County Times has a limit of 12 letters per year.  I believe other papers have lower limits.  In 2014, the BCT either ditched that limit or made a huge exception for Oren Spiegler.  By my count, the BCT published at least 25 Spiegler letters in 2014.  Mr. Spiegler and/or the BCT dialed things back a bit in 2015; the BCT published only 15 Spiegler letters.

• The papers generally provide the letter title, and sometimes the title is misleading.

For calendar year 2018 critiques, please go to Pundits 2018.

For calendar year 2017 critiques, please go to Pundits 2017.

For calendar year 2016 critiques, please go to Pundits 2016.

For calendar year 2015 critiques, please go to Pundits 2015.

For calendar year 2014 critiques, please go to Pundits 2014.

For calendar year 2013 critiques, please go to Pundits 2013.

For calendar year 2012 critiques, please go to Pundits 2012.

For calendar year 2011 critiques, please go to Pundits 2011.

For calendar year 2010 critiques, please go to Pundits 2010.

For calendar year 2009 critiques, please go to Pundits 2009.

For calendar year 2008 critiques, please go to Pundits 2008.

For calendar year 2007 critiques, please go to Pundits 2007.

For calendar year 2006 critiques, please go to Pundits 2006.

For calendar year 2005 critiques, please go to Pundits 2005.

For calendar year 2004 critiques, please go to Pundits 2004.

Beaver County Times

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Miscellaneous

© 2004-2019 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.