Discussion-Starters

Recently I've been sending out two versions of the Discussion-Starters' newsletter. One version simply contains a short paragraph about a current event, a link to a newspaper article and then information about ordering the newsletter. The other version is the whole newsletter.

Today, I wrote about the tragedy in Virginia.

I received a letter from a pricipal in Virginia who received the largely advertisement. The letter stated, "This is the most shameful exploitation of a tragedy I have ever experienced."

One of the skills that I've been working on recently is trying to remain tactful and not lose my temper. I first wrote a letter back to the principal which I realized would certainly not make me any friends. I deleted the letter and rewrote it, emphasizing that I probably could have done things differently. The first letter led to several more letters that were sent back and forth. Finally, the principal explained that two graduates of his school were killed. I started off really annoyed with this gentleman and ended up feeling a strong bond with him. I'm sure glad I didn't send the first letter.

This experience leads me to recognize the incredible responsibility that bloggers and reporters have. Since I'm sending emails to people's in-boxes I feel this sense of responsbility even stronger. Since the newsletter is now being sent around the country just about every domestic current event that I write about will closely effect one of my readers. Perhaps I should start asking myself if I'd like my children to be grappling with the questions that I write if they were directly connected to the current event?

Just some thoughts that I'm finding very powerful right now. Man, I wish we could eliminate violence from this world.