The following is the unedited and complete response of Jay Smith, President of Cox Newspapers, to my Open Letter. I present it here with no further personal comment and invite you to draw your own conclusion:Mr. Codrea: I have read the editorial and did not draw the same conclusions you drew. Gun control is a heated political issue. Organizations opposed to gun control have done a better job, over time, of packaging and presenting their arguments in the political arena than have those who support gun control. The editorial, while clearly supportive of gun-control legislation, urged gun-control advocates to become equally effective in making their political case.
In no way should a reader infer that this means The Dayton Daily News will skew its reporting to reflect that view. I believe you have drawn a faulty conclusion. I am copying Dayton Daily News Editor Kevin Riley and the newspaper's publisher, Doug Franklin, in hopes that you will continue your discussion with them.
The newspaper, I am sure, will be open to presenting views, such as yours, which take issue with the editorial. I appreciate your concern and your willingness to write to me. Sincerely, Jay Smith