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James Bennet’s Resignation Over the Tom Cotton Op-Ed Outcry James Bennet’s Resignation Over the Tom Cotton Op-Ed Outcry
(4 days later)
“Acting editorial page editor Kathleen Kingsbury wrote about the decision to publish our writers’ responses to the Tom Cotton Op-Ed in Friday’s edition of our Opinion Today newsletter.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “The Times’s Opinion Editor Resigns Over Controversy” (Business, June 8), about the resignation of James Bennet after the publication of an Op-Ed on Wednesday by Senator Tom Cotton calling for a military response to the protests:Re “The Times’s Opinion Editor Resigns Over Controversy” (Business, June 8), about the resignation of James Bennet after the publication of an Op-Ed on Wednesday by Senator Tom Cotton calling for a military response to the protests:
Really? This is an overreaction that plays directly into the narrative the right has of left-leaning media: They are too sensitive and intolerant of heterodox views.Really? This is an overreaction that plays directly into the narrative the right has of left-leaning media: They are too sensitive and intolerant of heterodox views.
I read the Tom Cotton Op-Ed and survived. It was a poor piece of writing with a ridiculous premise. But it was written by a U.S. senator who was making a newsworthy claim that was completely different in tone from the other editorial pieces that day. To claim that it put in danger the lives of protesters because it incited violence is ludicrous.I read the Tom Cotton Op-Ed and survived. It was a poor piece of writing with a ridiculous premise. But it was written by a U.S. senator who was making a newsworthy claim that was completely different in tone from the other editorial pieces that day. To claim that it put in danger the lives of protesters because it incited violence is ludicrous.
The Op-Ed section is (or used to be) an interesting place. It presents a far more diverse and well-written set of opinions and viewpoints on news of the day than rival national publications. What The Times has done amounts to self-censorship, a dumbing-down of the contents of the paper and an insult to the critical faculties of The Times’s readers.The Op-Ed section is (or used to be) an interesting place. It presents a far more diverse and well-written set of opinions and viewpoints on news of the day than rival national publications. What The Times has done amounts to self-censorship, a dumbing-down of the contents of the paper and an insult to the critical faculties of The Times’s readers.
David FisherDallasDavid FisherDallas
To the Editor:To the Editor:
I was glad to see the resignation of James Bennet over the publication of “Send In the Troops,” by Tom Cotton. Senator Cotton has a right to his authoritarian, fascist, un-American views, although it is a shame that he holds them. But The Times need not lower its reputation and standing by publicizing those views.I was glad to see the resignation of James Bennet over the publication of “Send In the Troops,” by Tom Cotton. Senator Cotton has a right to his authoritarian, fascist, un-American views, although it is a shame that he holds them. But The Times need not lower its reputation and standing by publicizing those views.
A powerful man like Senator Cotton has many ways of making his voice heard. He does not need the support of The New York Times to do so. This was not a First Amendment case; it was simply a gross error of judgment on the part of The Times. Mr. Bennet’s resignation is a good first step toward rectifying the problems in the editorial department that caused such an egregious error.A powerful man like Senator Cotton has many ways of making his voice heard. He does not need the support of The New York Times to do so. This was not a First Amendment case; it was simply a gross error of judgment on the part of The Times. Mr. Bennet’s resignation is a good first step toward rectifying the problems in the editorial department that caused such an egregious error.
Tim ShawCambridge, Mass.Tim ShawCambridge, Mass.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
As a dutiful Times reader for more than half a century, I was very saddened that James Bennet resigned as opinion editor. In his years as editor, he has been a stalwart voice for social justice and for eloquent dialogue about the deep problems that roil America. He has steered the opinion page in innovative directions, helping it remain a voice of integrity in a chaotic online age.As a dutiful Times reader for more than half a century, I was very saddened that James Bennet resigned as opinion editor. In his years as editor, he has been a stalwart voice for social justice and for eloquent dialogue about the deep problems that roil America. He has steered the opinion page in innovative directions, helping it remain a voice of integrity in a chaotic online age.
It is particularly sad that the publication of one Op-Ed overshadows the body of excellent work that he has produced. While the decision to publish the Cotton Op-Ed had drawbacks, the dialogue it produced and the vigorous outcry against his positions it spurred, which would have never occurred had it not been printed, are testaments to the journalism that Mr. Bennet championed.It is particularly sad that the publication of one Op-Ed overshadows the body of excellent work that he has produced. While the decision to publish the Cotton Op-Ed had drawbacks, the dialogue it produced and the vigorous outcry against his positions it spurred, which would have never occurred had it not been printed, are testaments to the journalism that Mr. Bennet championed.
Richard M. PerloffClevelandThe writer is a professor of communication, psychology and political science at Cleveland State University.Richard M. PerloffClevelandThe writer is a professor of communication, psychology and political science at Cleveland State University.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
While I deplore the views of Senator Tom Cotton, I am dismayed at viewpoint censorship on the opinion page of my daily source of news. As a retired editor of the opinion page of a national newspaper, I labored (albeit sometimes with gritted teeth) to make sure that my pages were used as an honest platform and not a selective method of indoctrination.While I deplore the views of Senator Tom Cotton, I am dismayed at viewpoint censorship on the opinion page of my daily source of news. As a retired editor of the opinion page of a national newspaper, I labored (albeit sometimes with gritted teeth) to make sure that my pages were used as an honest platform and not a selective method of indoctrination.
However desirable and tempting that option might appear, it is a misuse of a powerful press weapon that can rapidly turn journalism into dangerous propaganda.However desirable and tempting that option might appear, it is a misuse of a powerful press weapon that can rapidly turn journalism into dangerous propaganda.
Josephine NovakBarcelona, SpainJosephine NovakBarcelona, Spain
To the Editor:To the Editor:
I am troubled by the resignation of James Bennet over Senator Tom Cotton’s Op-Ed. This comes on the heels of demands that Facebook edit, censor or delete certain of President Trump’s posts, and a day after GoFundMe’s suspension of the right-wing commentator Candace Owens’s page to raise funds for a bar owner who denounced George Floyd as a “thug.”I am troubled by the resignation of James Bennet over Senator Tom Cotton’s Op-Ed. This comes on the heels of demands that Facebook edit, censor or delete certain of President Trump’s posts, and a day after GoFundMe’s suspension of the right-wing commentator Candace Owens’s page to raise funds for a bar owner who denounced George Floyd as a “thug.”
I detest what Senator Cotton stands for and disagree totally with what he espouses in his Op-Ed, and I have zero respect for Ms. Owens’s grandstanding statement. But we should be reminded of George Orwell’s observation that “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”I detest what Senator Cotton stands for and disagree totally with what he espouses in his Op-Ed, and I have zero respect for Ms. Owens’s grandstanding statement. But we should be reminded of George Orwell’s observation that “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”
Ken GoldmanBeverly Hills, Calif.Ken GoldmanBeverly Hills, Calif.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
As the saying goes, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” In Donald Trump’s world, there is even more reason to defend it.As the saying goes, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” In Donald Trump’s world, there is even more reason to defend it.
The exchange of ideas on the Op-Ed page does not give license to promote hate or incite riot, but political correctness plays into Mr. Trump’s hands. Just as every tweet allows us to peer into Mr. Trump’s mind, so too has Senator Tom Cotton’s Op-Ed revealed his inner authoritarian, anti-democratic views.The exchange of ideas on the Op-Ed page does not give license to promote hate or incite riot, but political correctness plays into Mr. Trump’s hands. Just as every tweet allows us to peer into Mr. Trump’s mind, so too has Senator Tom Cotton’s Op-Ed revealed his inner authoritarian, anti-democratic views.
Louis Brandeis said, “Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” Thoughtful readers should consider the ramifications of quick dismissal of editorial staff.Louis Brandeis said, “Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” Thoughtful readers should consider the ramifications of quick dismissal of editorial staff.
Richard J. BoxerLos AngelesRichard J. BoxerLos Angeles