On Editorials, Politics, Economic Devlopment, and Spamming in Johnstown

At 12:24 AM last night, I received an email with the subject line "Your Tribune Democrat Editorials, Your Politics and Economic Development in Johnstown, PA". I immediately thought to myself, "Did I write an editorial? Did someone submit one under my name? Who in the hell is Brett Barndt?" I opened it thinking that it had to be from either someone who knows me, someone who knows of me, or someone (local) who reads my blog.

Actually, the sender was none of the above.

You can read what he wrote in this PDF of his email. To summarize, Brett wrote a long, rambling email to the new(ish) publisher of the Tribune-Democrat (our local paper), Robin Quillon. That's not all, he decided to put everyone in the world in the carbon copy field, including me. I exaggerate, but there were over one hundred people CC'd on that email. [I, of course, removed all CC'd email addresses from the PDF, hence the large blank space.]

The actual content of his email was a little (or a lot of) ranting and raving about the closed mindedness of the Johnstown area. Sure, I see it all the time, but I don't need some random person spamming me about it. I was irked that someone didn't know proper email ettiquette -- and blatantly spammed me. Internet: don't spam, and if you must send out something that may be construed as spam, Blind Carbon Copy it people! No one needs their private email address plastered all over the internet.

And then I received the "reply all" response from the Tribune's publisher. I hate reply all emails unless they are necessary to continue a conversation and keep everyone in the loop. Luckily none of the other 100+ recipients of the email decided to spam me with reply alls. I would have had to hunt down Brett and smack him with a newspaper.

I mulled over responding. I hesitated. Should I? Will I be the next rant victim? I thought it over and figured who really cares. I sent it to both Brett and Robin.

Brett,

Thank you for your unsolicited email - I love spam.

Honestly though, I do appreciate the sentiment with which it was sent. I know where you are coming from; I read the paper daily, and I was formerly employed by the offending paper. Notice that I said formerly. Sure, I didn't like some of the items they published, but that's how the world works. You can't please everyone. However, it was the terrible pay and the PeeWee Herman-esque (former) publisher that made it way too easy to NOT feel bad about seeking alternative employment. (See related post)

I understand that you are trying to make a point: the newspaper shows a one-sided, closed-minded view of Johnstown. However, your email came off like the entire Johnstown area is closed-minded and, to that, I take offense. I am not narrow minded. Neither is my family. Nor are my friends.

I see the one-sided, often right-winged views are more prevalent than the left-winged views. However, I do know who that paper caters to -- mostly the older and elderly population -- many of which do agree with that viewpoint. Printed newspapers will fail eventually if they do not remedy this. The younger population is trying to gain some exposure and respect and many of us are more liberal and left-of-center.

But, back on point: the spam. Spam is any unsolicited bulk mail, and that is what you sent. No one that you had emailed had asked for such a message except for the Tribune -- that's what their editorial section is there to accommodate. My other complaint is that you blatantly published everyone's email address. There is no need for this, and it is completely uncalled for. That is a violation of everyone's privacy. (See common email etiquette and courtesy.)

See the BCC field? That means blind carbon copy. BCC is your friend. Use it - don't abuse it. I don't mind it so much with my publicly published email address that you used, but had it been my private address, I would have done a little more than send you a polite email complaint.

Thanks again for sparking debate and discussion -- something the area needs more of. Next time, please use a less obtrusive medium where people can ELECT to read your opinion instead of having it forced on them. Newspaper readers ELECT and CHOOSE to purchase the newspaper. Website readers choose to read websites. Forum users choose to read forum posts. I however, was FORCED to receive your unsolicited email. I could have hit delete, sure, but it never should have reached my inbox without my asking for it. (On a side note, if you're going to send a gigantic rant to 100+ people, you may
want to ramble less and proofread more. Just a thought ...)

And, Mr. Quillon, you are just as guilty of this crime by hitting REPLY ALL. Sure you had to defend yourself, but did you have to drag the rest of the Johnstown population into it? (See "Reply-All Isn't Always Necessary)

Sincerely,
Jaemie Gyurik
jaemie.com

Shortly after I hit send, I received a nice reply from the Tribune's publisher apologizing for the offending "reply all". He seems like a nice guy, and I think he'll do the Tribune a world of good after what happened to it with the last publisher (a.k.a. PeeWee).

As for Brett, calm yourself down. Keep up the debate IN THE PROPER MEDIUMS AND CHANNELS, but don't make Johnstown look as bad as the New York Times did, OK?