Just in time for April Fools’ Day, here’s something just for you. It’s the latest edition of “Reader Feedback.” Often imitated, never duplicated, it’s the column about you, the readers. It tells you what readers are saying to me or about me in emails, on Facebook or in published letters. About 80% of the comments are wonderful. Here are some of them.
From Bonnie: “Your columns are powerful, covering various sides of the issue, addressing respect, fairness and honesty. So proud to know we have a columnist of your character here in the Red River Valley.”
From Larry: “We need more people like you, Jim. Continue to fight the good fight.”
From Lana: “Thank you, thank you. Keep being a voice of reason in a state gone mad.”
From Jody: “Keep up the great journalism. We need so many more people like you telling these stories and fighting for what is right. Thank you, Jim!”
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Wow! I am touched by these awesome comments. Thanks so much! Now, let’s hear from readers who have a different view of my work, along with my responses.
From Andy: “Jim Shaw, please for the love of God, find some common sense.”
Dear Andy, I found some. You just don’t understand it.
From Ken: “Consider the column, ‘The most insane bill,’ written by Jim Shaw. Because he disagrees with the views of four of our elected legislators, he calls them ‘stooges.’ These are fellow North Dakota citizens who are giving of their time and energy to serve our civil government.”
Dear Ken, You’re right. Calling these dedicated anti-science legislators “stooges” is an insult to Moe, Larry, Curly and Shemp.
From Mike: “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however uninformed or misguided it might be…The ridiculous musings of liberal columnists like Shaw, Bender or McFeely are all word-for-word ‘facts’ without any hyperbole or exaggerating, right?”
Dear Mike, Right. And yes, you’re entitled to your misguided opinions.
From Kevin: “Everything and I mean everything that this guy (me) thinks is wrong.”
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Dear Kevin, I think you’re a good guy.
From James (after my column about a disturbing bill that would ban accepted treatments for transgender youth): “Now he’s (me) gone off the deep end. The average brain of a human is not mature until 25 years of age.”
Dear James, When will your brain mature?
From Ron (after my column that we should let North Dakota doctors do their jobs by properly treating women with high-risk pregnancies): “Without even reading the article, I bet Shaw doesn’t mention the North Dakota law which allows for abortions if the mother’s life is in jeopardy.”
Dear Ron, You lost your bet. I suggest you read my columns before criticizing them.
Keep those comments coming, and stay tuned for the next edition of “Reader Feedback.”
Shaw is a former WDAY TV reporter and former KVRR TV news director.
This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Forum's editorial board nor Forum ownership.
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