I was very disappointed to read Kyle Robisch’s letter to the editor in Friday’s Alligator. As a former columnist himself, I know Robisch is capable of expressing a meaningful and constructive opinion. Unfortunately, his letter falls much more soundly in the category of “Playa hatin’.”
I say this because the only thing in his letter that could possibly be construed as criticism is saying Bryan Griffin’s column is “never original and never deviates from the party line.” Not only is this the journalistic equivalent of saying “your mom” in response to something you don’t like and can’t argue against, it’s patently false. Bryan has written several columns on apolitical topics, which, like them or not, invalidates Robisch’s party-line argument.
But it is consoling to know this insult comes from someone who has only put original, non-partisan thoughts in his columns.
“Obama Choosing Cabinet, Staff Wisely” and “Palin a weak choice for McCain’s ticket” are completely original thoughts that were not repeats of the Democratic Party line and certainly could not be found in the bowels of democrats.org. Oh wait.
Griffin is doing exactly what he should be doing as a columnist – presenting an alternative argument and generating controversy because of it. He’s received more letters to the editor (Robisch’s included) than any other columnist this semester and is facilitating a discussion among students with the paper as a forum.
If you don’t agree with Griffin, that’s fine. You can write a letter to the editor stating which of arguments you disagree with (Robisch didn’t). If you don’t like his style as a columnist, you can submit a column of your own that impresses readers with a witty and original style.
The inappropriate response, used to use up the Alligator’s pages to print a rant, would be much more appropriate in a Twitter post only read by about seven liberal people who don’t like Griffin’s columns solely because they disagree with their content.
That space would be put to much better use if it were filled with the left-wing ramblings that usually take up every square inch of space in the paper that isn’t devoted to Griffin’s column.
Editor's note: This letter refers to this letter.
