Moffly blasts the press

This past week was so hectic at the office, I forwarded home some e-mail to read later. One that I had thought at first glance was a personal message was actually intended, apparently, as a letter to the editor. I've forwarded it back to the office for consideration on Monday. (That's my bad, but for future reference, please send letters to the editor submissions to stateeditor@thestate.com.)

Anyway, it was from Elizabeth Moffly, former candidate for the GOP nod for superintendent of education. She seems to be fairly angry at us ink-stained wretches of the press. I'm not sure why, because we hardly wrote anything about her. I look back and see I never even posted notes from our endorsement interview with her. Of course, maybe that's why she's upset.

Anyway, here's her cover note:

Dear Brad, In my opinion some thoughts I wanted to share that are attached. Thank god we didn't get status quo Bob, go with the flow Mike, or computer geek Kerry. We did get the circle of no return I can talk and never answer your question(show teeth). I thought more of you when I first meet than what I know now. Father of many with out an original thought. Happy Father's Day! Thanks for nothing, Elizabeth Moffly

And here's the letter:

Elizabeth Moffly
362 Schweers Lane
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

June 17, 2006

Mr. D. Bradley Warthen
Vice President/Editorial Page Editor
The State
P.O. Box 1333
Columbia, SC 29202

Dear Brad,
    Remember your comment at the end of my interview that “nobody’s listening to common sense” including yourself. Lee Brandy’s satirical blog on education issues that needed to be addressed are exactly the same issues of my own platform. The good ole boy network of status quo runs rampant here in South Carolina especially with the media. I blame the state of affairs on the biased press whose only focus is the money not issues.
    I’ve come to realize there is a lot of John’s in the industry of reporting and the dictionary defines the name as a prostitute, one who willing uses his talent or ability in a base and unworthy way. The media has lost all credibility with the people and papers are only good for birdcage linings.
    The abuse of one opinion to influence the people is corrupt. A review of the Code of Ethics would find the press guilty as charged. There is a distinct difference between the 1st Amendment versus slander. We are equally protected under the law. The lines of right/wrong, black/white are clear until it comes to the maybe gray area that requires a ruling. I see a lot of gray in the abuse of Editors and Reporters today using personal opinions in the coverage of issues that concern the welfare of all citizens. Luckily for the press illiteracy runs rampant in South Carolina and status quo is in your favor.
    Mark Twain asks, “What is the hardest thing in the world to do? To think.” I think and read between the lines and find the press guilty of abuse of power to influence election outcomes in my own court of law. I am not alone in my views and there are more people than press making majority rule. Discrimination makes for a good case based on merits alone that in the end will be the demise of the press and the people’s abdication.
    The future unemployment forecast is on the rise once again in South Carolina as the deadline for extinction of the printed press is drawing near. Politics is not looking good for the unemployed press as an option.

Carpe Diem, 
Elizabeth Moffly