We're Guessing This Is 'Satirical' (Though We Don't Quite Get It)

RECEIVED Mon., Feb. 27, 2006

Dear Editor,
    After finally weathering the maelstrom that erupted over the cover you published on Jan. 27 [“The New Texas Family Planning,” News], I would like to take the time to commend you for your courageous example. It must have been a frightening ordeal. Who would believe that your subtle yet slyly sarcastic critique of religious extremism would be used as a pretext for so much mayhem.
    You welcomed all the angry shouting and the boycotts with determined composure. And when the shouting turned into riots – thrown rocks, torched cars, gutted buildings ... I simply can't imagine what it took to persevere. Not only did you have to contend with the violent Bible thumpers in this country, soon Christian preachers throughout the world were uniting in a calculated, cynical gambit to enrage their congregations into a furious pitch. Through distortions and lies and even exhortations for blood they hoped you might lose your voice if not your heads. What a perilous, ugly time.
    But did you cower? As if.
    You showed those zealots you wouldn't be intimidated, no matter how many embassies they burned down. By standing firm, no matter how frightening or dangerous it was, you revealed the whole outrage for the cowardly charade it was. What moxie. What gall. It was as if you knew there was really nothing to be afraid of after all.
    I wish the rest of the world's newspapers possessed the kind of conviction you were able to muster during those fateful weeks. For my part I vow to show that cover to my children. I'll tell them that while the whole world threatened to tear itself apart, a little newspaper in Austin proved that courage and conviction could keep the barbarians at bay. Hooray for civilization. Hooray for The Austin Chronicle.
Thomas Copeland
One click gets you all the newsletters listed below

Breaking news, arts coverage, and daily events

Keep up with happenings around town

Kevin Curtin's bimonthly cannabis musings

Austin's queerest news and events

Eric Goodman's Austin FC column, other soccer news

Information is power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin.   Support the Chronicle