2008.07.25
Keep it short
The crowd on hand to see the U.S. Olympic softball team Thursday at Kiwanis Field had to endure an overly long pregame invocation by Joe Copolo, a pastor from Roanoke. The fans wanted to see Cat Osterman pitch, not hear Copolo drone on and on. This game was put on by the city of Salem, so it was wrong to have a pregame prayer at all — let alone one that had me checking my watch. Not only was it a violation of church and state, it was a violation of my patience. Keep it short next time — or better yet, save it for church and don’t ask a pastor to speak at a city-sponsored event. — Mark Berman
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Mark,
Making observations and expressing opinions is certainly what your job is all about. Obviously, you do it well or you wouldn't be doing it for a living. However, I have a question for you. Did you express your opinion to Pastor Copolo personally before you criticized him in public? Did you share your concerns with a Salem official before complaining in a public venue? If you are truly bothered by this incident and want to effect a change then you will put courtesy and citizenship ahead of cheap shots. Or, would that take too much of your precious time?
Comment by Brad Snyder — July 26, 2008 @ 9:23 am