Why would the Richmond Times Dispatch refuse to print an opinion piece by Herb Jones? Maybe because he’s a Democrat? Maybe because he’s running against Tommy Norment (the Republican Senate Majority Leader)? Maybe because they think it’s too well written for their readers?
I really don’t know, and can’t imagine. What kind of responsibility does a paper have to it’s readers, to citizens submitting opinions, or letters to the editor? I don’t really know the answer to that either. The best I’ve read on the role of print media has been this:
To be the backbone of the conscious of that society, to speak truth to power, and to help in any way that it can to maintain that society as a free society.
That was written by just some guy on the internet, not a founding father or anything, but I think the guy nailed it.
My city had two newspapers, one liberal, one conservative, and then the conservative paper bought the other one up. Still though, the conservative paper prints opinion pieces of all kinds, radical left to mainstream to far right. That seems fair. What doesn’t seem fair is to refuse to print the opinion piece submitted by Herb Jones.
The address for the Richmond Times Dispatch is 300 E. Franklin St, Richmond, VA. I’m going to suggest that as a reminder of what a free press should be used for, we donate some form of 300 to the Herb Jones campaign.
Herb is running in the 3rd Senate District so 3 just seems perfect. It could be $3, $30, $300, $3,000. Hell, you can donate $30,000, Virginia has no limits on campaign contributions, even from out of state. Let’s show this newspaper what we think of their refusal.
If you feel like calling the paper after you donate to Herb Jones, feel free, their phone number is (804) 649-6000.
This is the opinion piece the paper refused to publish:
As we have closed out July 2019, the month which marks the 400th anniversary of the oldest law-making body in the “New World” and enter the advent of the arrival of the first Africans to the shores of Virginia, I’ve reflected deeply upon how this great nation was formed and about the many sacrifices that have been made individually and collectively.
I thought about the sacrifices my parents made, and all those whose shoulders we stand on. I thought about my time wearing a uniform as the United States Soldier, and about those with whom I served during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. I thought about those who returned and those who did not.
All of these reflections led me to consider those who I wish to represent, should I win in November — the citizens of the 3rd Senatorial District. I am disheartened by my conclusion that our current Senator, Mr. Norment, is in office only to enrich himself or his friends.
Norment’s infractions bring to mind the tyrannies of King George III, particularly on an anniversary such as the one of this past month. To paraphrase the Declaration of Independence: “He has a history of repeated injuries and usurpations” of the Commonwealth. “To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world:”
He has enriched himself at the expense of taxpayers as Commissioner of Accounts, earning over $250,000 per annum (appointed by a judge whom he appointed), and as a former adjunct professor at William & Mary, earning over $160,000 per annum.
He has submitted legislation to protect child pornographers but has failed to fight for firefighters and first responders, who put their lives at risk daily.
He has raised taxes, such that citizens of our district are subject to the highest sales tax in the Commonwealth.
For these injuries — and many others — I continue to be deeply embarrassed by our Senator’s behavior.
Herbert C. Jones, Jr.
Candidate, 3rd Senatorial District
Virginia State Senate