This letter is in response to the blogs Reporter sticks with U-M alliances (SN 10/30) and the subsequently posted Andersen clarifies previous blog post written by your very own James Andersen and posted on your Web site. I neither have a problem with Andersen having allegiances to that other school nor do I see anything wrong with The State News posting a blog furthering his position. I understand that the role of any legitimate news source is not to pander to the interests and viewpoints of its readership; instead it should, as you have in part by posting this letter, present multiple views.
My issue is not even that Andersen might have “misspoken” in his original blog where he professes that it was “not the true meaning of [his] statements.” As a law student here at MSU, I realize the importance of words and how the meaning of the words can be twisted.
I am not writing to dispute whether Andersen truly wished for anyone to be injured in a sporting event. That issue does not interest me in the slightest – if Andersen chooses to do such a thing who am I to judge him? I am writing to suggest that The State News should be more careful and have more oversight for the poorly worded blog by Andersen before publication.
I support The State News being willing to support possibly inflammatory viewpoints (the type that cheering for U-M while attending MSU is sure to be), but I cannot and do not support the oversight that allowed a “poorly drafted” and offensive sentence slip through the cracks and reflect so poorly on the credibility of The State News. That is to say nothing for Andersen’s “clarification.” I would like to suggest that Andersen be more careful, not just in whatever future he might have with The State News, but in his everyday life, not to write sentences whose meanings are on their face directly adverse to the meaning Andersen claims. I understand and respect that Andersen might have made a mistake, but as my father always taught me, apologies with excuses are no apologies at all.
Ryan B. Schreiber
MSU College of Law student
Support student media!
Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
Discussion
Share and discuss “Apologies with excuses defeat purpose of saying sorry” on social media.
