I called the Tribune's customer service line (1-800-TRIBUNE or 1-800-874-2863) and told them I am cancelling my subscription, which I have had for many years. The woman asked if it was a vacation cancellation or permanent and I said it is VERY permanent and it is because of their endorsement of Bush for president. I told her I never want their paper in my house again. I asked if she read the editorial yet and she said she hadn't. I told her I was especially disgusted because it essentially says yes, Bush has done a bad job with one thing after another and yes, John Kerry is a good man with a good record, but 9/11 - FEAR - 9/11 - TERROR - 9/11 - BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID!
She asked if I would like to speak with her supervisor and I did. I told her the same thing and that they should read their own damn paper. On the opposite page is a column by Geoffrey R. Stone called "America's New McCarthyism" that starts out: "In the 'war on terrorism' we once again see the manipulation of fear and the corruption of public discourse in pursuit of partisan gain." She asked if rather than cancel my subscription, I might want the contact information for the editorial staff. I told her they will be hearing from me too, but that I will never have the Chicago Tribune in my house again!
I am so mad I am shaking so hard I can hardly type.
Link to endorsement:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0410170332oct17,1,3673281.story?coll=chi-newsopinion-hedLink to Geoffrey Stone's column:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/oped/chi-0410170323oct17,1,4619645.story