A minor observation before delving into Charlie Taylor of Norman's bafflingly stupid letter is this: Charlie Taylor of Norman has had a lot of letters published in the Oklahoman! Here is a sample:
"Food U.S. twice, shame on us" (November 12, 2012)
"Proponents of Obamacare omit relevant facts" (July 15, 2012)
"President Obama doesn't lead" (March 14, 2012)
"Selling snake oil" (July 25, 2009)
"Slow recovery" (November 1, 2008)
"Warming activists won't debate" (June 7, 2008)
"Gag reflex" (August 24, 2007)
No doubt there are others I've missed, but it seems like several times a year one of his letters runs.
It is hard to imagine major newspapers from other metropolitan areas running so many letters from one person. Mr. Taylor isn't some sort of local celebrity, after all, and the observations he makes in his letters are hardly original or noteworthy.
Indeed, is it really the case that the best letters spouting standard right-wing positions on various topics come from this guy? If so, what does that say about the abilities of Oklahomans to write even marginally coherent thoughts-- thoughts that are largely cribbed from other right-wing media outlets? (Sometimes, they're just plagiarized!) And if not, then why do we keep seeing his letters?
Only the editors of the Oklahoman know, but regardless of the answer it certainly doesn't reflect well on the paper.
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