01/21/2001

By / The Dallas Morning News

A question often comes up about my job.

"Does anyone read your column before it goes in the newspaper?" people ask.

Or, more succinctly: "Do you have an editor?"

I always have to stifle a smile, because the answer rolling around in my head is: "Oh, do I have editors!"

In fact, believe it or not, every column is read by at least five editors before it goes in the newspaper. (And I'm picturing those editors cringing right now, wondering "Where's he headed with this?")

Well, relax, dear editors. Though the relationship between writers and editors is often combative, I'm here today to sing your praises.

In fact, I rise today to honor all the people in our midst who say "no."

It's a most unappreciated job. But one we need more of.

Calling for backup

Happily, most of my columns sail through editing with barely a change. A crisper word added here. A who/whom repair made there.

But there have been times when my editors really saved me from myself. They said "no." To a rash judgment. A crude pun. A cruel barb.

No one likes to be told "no." But once temper and ego were out of the way, I almost always had to admit that my editors were right.

I wish there were more people around these days with the courage to say "no."

I wish someone over at the Dallas Museum of Art had been willing to say "no" to a couple of works on display there.

In the otherwise wonderful "Modern Masters of Mexico" exhibit, one artist has two huge photographs with his own scrotum juxtaposed against tourist postcards, topped with little plastic people.

It's just stupid and juvenile, but apparently no one had the courage to say so.

I wish someone over at KEGL-FM had been willing to say "no" to a radio stunt Thursday morning.

For the sake of entertainment, a live rabbit was fed to a python. The screams of the dying rabbit were "gut wrenching," to use the station program director's own rueful words.

I wish record producers had been willing to say "no" to the vicious, violent music of rap singer Eminem. I wish Grammy judges had said "no" to honoring him.

I wish TV networks had the courage to say "no" to the ever-increasing use of vulgarities in virtually every show.

Now I don't say these things like some old fuddy-duddy who wants to rant about how horrible the world is. I admire people who push boundaries, who test limits.

But I am also coming to appreciate those who set the boundaries, who enforce the limits. It's a thankless but vital function.

Low road is boring

The word "no" is seen these days as stifling creativity. In fact, it has just the opposite effect.

There was a time, 20 years ago, when I rushed home to see Saturday Night Live. It was sharp, satirical and hilarious.

The show hasn't been funny in years. It's dumb and crude. No one seems to say "no" to anything. And it's utterly boring.

The cable channel Showtime boasts "No Limits." Most of what it shows is also "No Good."

The word "no" is seen these days as an affront to our cherished freedom of speech. In fact, it's just the opposite.

The government should never be in the business of saying "no" to artistic expression. But if we ever lose that freedom, it will be because people grew sick of seeing the freedom squandered on filth and hatefulness.

Believe me, it's painful to say good things about editors. But here's a salute to them today – and to all those with the courage to say "no."

Steve Blow can be reached at 214-977-8374.

E-mail this article to a friend