The Frightening Nature of ProJo Letters

Once upon a time, under the Metcalfs and Steve Hamblett, the ProJo was a Pulitzer Prize-winning publication of considerable stature. (I consulted with the American Press Institute for 20 years.) Of late, under Howard Sutton and parent Belo, it's become a rather sorry sight. I doubt it will be here at all in five years or so.

The most frightening aspect is the letters to the editor. I wonder if they're real or made up by some deranged employee sitting in a windowless basement room howling at a moon he can't see.

Over the past few weeks we've seen this:

• A defense of the legislator who, while plastered, threatened the police who had arrested one of his colleagues. (He was doing what a good friend should do, the writer claimed.)

• Someone who claims he will never attend another Pawsox or Red Sox game because "God Bless America" is sung, and they don't want "someone else's religion" shoved down their throats. (I'm assuming he has also refused to use any paper money stating "In God We Trust.")

• Opposition to a fine for driving with a dog sitting on the driver's lap. (Have you seen these people? It makes texting while driving seem sensible by comparison to a dog blocking the driver's window with its tail in the driver's face.)

• A claim that for any conservative to be against the reelection of President Obama means that he or she is really a racist.

• Virulent anti-Semitism "disguised" as (incorrect) historical fact.

This stuff is scarier than any horror movie when you consider the unthinkable: These people probably vote.