Disappointed in Gazette for printing foul language
In the Gazette of March 16, 2023, in the front-page article, ‘Bronze Saint Albert the Great statue stolen’, you quoted our mayor as using a vulgar word, and tried to make it acceptable by using characters. I understood the gravity of the situation without that quote. As a 13 year old who has read the paper for 5 years, I do not think this is an appropriate thing to put in a public newspaper. I am sure lots of other children read the Gazette on a weekly basis as I do, on top of the fact that it is not professional for anyone to use foul language. Our mayor should be a good example to us, and if she isn’t, the newspaper should not report her exact words. It shocked me to see this, and I hope that it won’t happen again.
Benjamin Bosch, St. Albert
Thanks to Benjamin Bosh
I would respectfully like to ask Valerie Spink to read the comments from Angela Wood again. She said she was "puzzled about Ms. Wood asking St. Albertans to work together to keep Alberta strong, free and prosperous. The word "free" is what surprised me the most. I did not know that Alberta was not free." This not how I interpreted it. I believe Angela was saying that Alberta is free (as well as strong and prosperous), and we need to work to keep it that way. Valerie then went on to denounce others who do not follow her way of thinking. Everyone in Canada is allowed to have opinions, as long as it is within the laws of Canada. We all need to be mindful of the opinions of others. We can't all agree all of the time.
Also, the letter from Benjamin Bosch was a breath of fresh air. This young man was correct in saying it is not necessary to have foul language in our newspaper. I am alarmed at how much bad language is accepted these days. I remember hearing two young men talking in the parking lot at the college I was attending a number of years ago, and every other word was a "bad" word. I wondered why these educated people were talking like that, when there are so many other good words in the English language. Sounds like Benjamin is a valuable asset to humankind. His parents are to be commended as well.
Shirley Rowbotham, St. Albert
Disapproval of odious expletives
I too would be most grateful to add my applause to the growing chorus of local support for the apparent aural hygiene crusade of young Master B. Bosch and his benefactress Lady S. Rowbotham, both of this towne.
As a post-secondarily educated adult who struggles (alas!) with "bad" word moderation, I've found their linguistic teetotalling a most genial story arch in the Opinion section of these past few weeks. A capital April Fool's Day caprice on the part of this hallowed and most serious paper of record!
Hark! Why, I've just now heard some wretched down-business-minding malcontent curse mirthfully 'neath mine open window, 'pon stepping in a discard bag of dog doo. After recovering from my swoon, I shall be want to publicize my own disapproval of the use of such odious expletives in a follow-up Editor's epistle and earnestly hope to see it similarilee publish'd!
Lest we forget that the lineages of many of our favourite, pulse-quickening "bad" words sprouted in the works of Bill Shakespeare...
Morgan Luethe, St. Albert
To read the article sparking the debate, click here: UPDATE: Saint Albert the Great statue stolen
