Letter: Reader finds front page photo offensive

Reference is made to The Cedar Rapids Gazette's front page on Feb. 24.

Here we go again with the University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld getting attacked by a number of radicals. The picture posed brought to mind a rattlesnake about to attack. It was an in-your-face travesty.

Defined, it was harassment, offensive and made you want to throw-up. The Gazette article never stated who the woman was, other than her name. What are her credentials and where is she really coming from?

The Gazette is putting gasoline on this situation by suggesting this is front page news. These so-called critics love their moment in the sun and our local paper is an enabler.

Let common sense prevail, not poor judgment.

David H. Burke

Cedar Rapids

Editor's note: Gazette photojournalists seek to cover the news of interest and importance to our readers in a complete way that draws you in to the story. There continues to be a high degree of interest in the appointment of University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld, and photojournalist Adam Wesley documented well both the straightforward business of the forum as well as the protesters present. That this photograph elicited such a strong reaction shows that Adam succeeded in documenting the forum. In captioning the photo, additional information on Melyssa Jo Kelly would have helped add to readers' understanding of the image; however, we do not editorialize in our captions by ascribing certain characteristics to the subjects of our photographs. Liz Martin, Senior Photojournalist