Kill the messenger

This week's paper has a letter from Cal Hart of Carlton blasting us for running a story about the indictment against the White family of Twisp who are accused of poaching wolves from the valley's Lookout Pack among other charges.

A fine hatchet job
Editor,
    I want to thank you for your extremely illuminating front-page article on the White family’s crimes against our state and nation’s environmental laws [“Twisp residents indicted for poaching wolves, smuggling,” June 15]. I am now aware that it is a far greater crime to eradicate a pack of wild dogs (wolves) than it is to rape, maim or take a human life. It does not matter if these dogs are threatening your livestock or family.
    Do you really believe it was a good idea to destroy their professional reputations and livelihood on the altar of environmental extremism even before they have a trial? You have done a really fine hatchet job on a good Methow Valley family.
    In conclusion, your article on June 15 was one of the most malicious and sensational examples of journalism I have ever witnessed.
Cal Hart
Carlton


A hatchet job? Malicious journalism? I guess we could have waited to run any kind of news article until after the dust settles on the whole affair, even though this is a major news story that has been covered regionally and nationally.
What do other readers think? We don't feel responsible for creating the news but we are definitely responsible for what we cover and don't cover.
Should we have run this article?


– Paul