Dear Editor,

Pioneer Portraits used to be interesting news of yesteryear, not just morbid rehashings picked up from the police blotter.

Maybe this negative fixation is necessary to market newspapers today, and, too, it's bound to be grander entertainment for those of us who've led spotless lives; who have never done anything for which we've needed to be forgiven, anything we've had to pay society our dues for, to atone for, to regret, and finally, for those with the strength to work our way back into that society as useful and reliable and respected members.

But I'd like to put forth one suggestion - make that two.

Take the time to check out the names and histories of your subjects first, before you put your paper to bed. Consider NOT including:

1) The past misdeeds and crimes and mistakes of those who have rebuilt their lives and become good law abiding citizens. (Or maybe serve this community you are new to, and see if they might agree to be interviewed as to how one accomplishes this rare feat - not to be a recidivist.)

2) The deceased. After all, isn't it just decent not to speak ill of the dead? Especially those (again) who turned their lives around for the better.

Thanks for allowing me to comment,

Kate Reeve

Waitsburg