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June 29, 2005 I have been overwhelmed with negative feedback from my Natalee Holloway essays. It would be too time consuming to personally reply to all my detractors. I will use this forum to answer my critics. Most of the letters that I have received, plead with me not to express opinions or state facts that might embarrass or hurt Natalee Holloway's family and friends. A journalist's main objective should be to tell the truth, regardless of the consequences. Natalee Holloway's saga is a cautionary tale, it is imperative that I mention some of the mistakes in judgement that she made. I would be remiss in my duties, if I airbrushed Natalee's flaws in an effort to protect her loved ones. I have been accused of arguing that "Natalee got what was coming to her." Nothing could be further from the truth, she is a brilliant student with a promising future and I am horrified by her disappearance. I hope that the monsters responsible for her cruel fate will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I am an opinion columnist, I deal with facts, but I also express my opinion on hot subjects. My essays would be inappropriate in the front page of any newspaper, but they do belong in the editorial page or in a Web forum such as Useless Knowledge. As a commentator I can be as biased as I want to, but if in my zeal to express my sometimes controversial opinions, I was somewhat less than tactful, I sincerely and humbly apologize. My main goal all along has been to tell all the facts, so that no other young girl will meet with Natalee's fate. Again I repeat, if my bitter medicine has caused anyone discomfort, I'm sorry. I see myself as a counterbalance to a mainstream press that is too timid to bring out certain aspects of this news story. If I went too far in an effort to "balance out things", please forgive me. Let me end this apologia by thanking my supporters, I have received a few letters defending me. It's a strange feeling for an agnostic to receive epistles from Christians thanking me for examining the moral issues of this case. I have also received letters commending me for criticizing the role of the press and for bringing up the "R" word: Racism. That's what makes America great, we don't have to march in lockstep, we are free to express our views without fear of censorship or punishment. ------------ About the author: Robert Paul Reyes is a columnist for the Lynchburg Ledger. Email: rreyes4966@aol.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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