|
?:reviewBody
|
-
Attempting to assign any kind of true or false status to letters to the editor is often tricky, because such letters are generally expressions of opinion (rather than fact), the senders of such letters are not necessarily the original authors of the material presented (i.e., readers often re-submit under their own names letters they've read in other newspapers, or material they've gleaned from other print sources), and such letters are sometimes couched in irony or sarcasm (a facet which can escape many readers) and are intended to express the opposite of what they literally state. In this case, at least, we can make a few statements about a much circulated letter advocating that Americans Stomp out atheists: This missive was indeed printed by a newspaper (specifically the 29 January 2007 edition of the Alaskan newspaper Peninsula Clarion) over the name of one Alice Shannon of Soldotna, Alaska: As the Clarion explained in a later editorial, however, the letter was both intended as a spoof and did not originate with its sender: Given the plenitude of e-mails we've received over the years expressing the very same sentiments as this letter, it (regardless of the intentions of its creator and/or sender) apparently does reflect the genuine opinions of a not insubstantial readership base.
(en)
|
![[This page as RDF]](http://data.gesis.org/claimskg/static/rdf-icon.gif){kind=icon}