Misplaced "not" changes meaning of previous editorial

Gosh darn it. One three-letter word was accidentally deleted from my editorial in Wednesday’s paper, changing dramatically and drastically the meaning of what I was attempting to say.

I had written what I wanted to be a supportive, complimentary piece on the actions of Deputy Steven Gardener and how despite being shot at by a crazed man wielding a shotgun, despite being struck in the face by pellets from that shotgun, Deputy Gardner put his fear, his personal discomfort and other personal feelings aside as he radioed for help and waited for other officers to help him address this situation.

I initially wrote, “Thankfully the injuries (Gardner’s) were not initially thought to be life threatening.”

But when it was printed it read, “Thankfully the injuries were initially thought to be life threatening.”

I hope everyone who read that recognized something was missing. For sure I’d never wish an injury on someone.

The “not” was on my original copy and even on the proof I reviewed.

But as I’ve written in the past, sometimes there are publishing gremlins lurking in our computer systems or elsewhere, waiting for times like this when they can sneak out and take an innocent and otherwise appropriate statement and make a small change that makes a big difference.

I want to make sure I get it on the record. Thankfully the injuries were not initially thought to be life threatening.

I understand Deputy Gardner is doing OK. I hope he understands about gremlins and that my intent was nothing but supportive of him and others in law enforcement who serve our community.

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It sounded like an extreme example of cattin’ around, when I read in Wednesday’s Daily Iberian about the California couple who recently were reunited with a pet cat that had been missing for 13 years.

George, the cat, was last seen by his owners in 1995. He was found, apparently a stray, in a mobile home park and turned over to a local animal hospital.

Lucky for George he had one of those microchips implanted under his skin, that provided information about his owners and allowed George to be reunited with them.

That’s a long time to be missing and then reunited, but a good testimonial to the benefits of those ID chips.

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LSU football fans are frustrated with the team’s three losses and especially with the poor play at quarterback, where a young freshman has thrown double-digit interceptions this season, more interceptions than touchdowns, and even worse, six interceptions that have been returned for touchdowns.

I read six interceptions returned for touchdowns is the career-record for an LSU quarterback, not that any would want it. Consider this quarterback has got the record and hasn’t even finished his first season.

It’s gotten so bad, I’ve heard a number of Tigers followers complaining about poor tackling and the need for the coaches to spend more time practicing tackling — for the offense.

That’s just sad. Ouch!

WILL CHAPMAN is publisher of The Daily Iberian.