Editorialists vs. the hurricane: We have a surprise winner

EDITOR'S NOTE

As Hurricane Katrina thundered toward the Gulf Coast, it occurred to me that this would not be the best environment in which to think deep thoughts.

For news reporters, a monster hurricane poses the eternal journalism conundrum: Am I energized at the prospect of reporting on one of the great natural calamities of our time? Or am I horrified at the destruction this nightmare will bring?

I am both, of course. But what of the editorialists?

Personally, I start losing concentration when the mess on my desk gets too deep. How does an editorial writer overcome displacement? No bed. No home. No phone. No computer system. For many, not even electricity for a time. No reassuring, comfortable structure whatsoever in which to formulate well-considered opinions. How do you deal with that?

Well, we asked them. Terri Troncale, editorial page editor of The Times-Picayune in New Orleans, leads off our Symposium section with a first-person depiction of what it is like to produce an editorial page under horrid conditions.

As recently as mid-October-more than six weeks after Katrina and its aftermath clobbered her town-Terri and her staff continued to struggle toward environmental normalcy. Despite their travails, the editorialists at the T-P have penned some of the most riveting editorial commentary of the year, irrespective of subject.

Lanny Keller of The Advocate of Baton Rouge and Frances Coleman of the Mobile Register have similar, harrowing tales to tell, and have published editorials of surpassing power in the midst of it all. That these superb journalists would take the time to share what they have experienced is a true testament to their commitment to our craft.

Additionally, Louisiana State University journalism professor Jay L. Perkins contributes a comprehensive view of the Katrina disaster, and describes the response of editorialists throughout the Gulf states. He provides us a much-needed "big picture" perspective, and we thank him for it.

Traditionally, of course, the Winter Masthead devotes considerable space to recounting events of the annual NCEW convention, and Vol. 57, No. 4, continues that noble tradition.

The buzz about the Portland convention seems to have focused on the events brilliant logistics: wonderful hotel in a beautiful downtown setting ... flawless organization ... grand side trips. But there was more to it than a comfortable venue and the tactical genius of Generalissima Susan Nielsen.

Attendees-many of them gallant convention rookies who had not yet mastered the art of saying no-generously offered to report on events of the convention. I thank them all, not least of all Bob Bolerjack of the Herald of Everett, Washington, who discovered the beer in his rooms minibar was overly warm. We leave no stone underturned.

Last, I want to point you to a feature on the impact of a united effort by New York state editorial boards to force important, long-delayed action by the state legislature. Written by long-time NCEW member and former board member Phineas Fiske, the essay suggests a plan of attack for editorialists elsewhere. A very effective presentation.

-Doug MacEachern

Copyright MASTHEAD National Conference of Editorial Writers Winter 2005
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