Ann Coulter booted from the Arizona Daily Star. Thank them. [View All]

[roguevalley]

(Small steps forward)

http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/opinion/90500.php

More words. More letters. No more Ann Coulter.

Since my arrival here nine weeks ago, we've been doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work aimed at making the Arizona Daily Star a better newspaper. Today, we unveil some visible changes to your Opinion pages. More changes will come here and throughout the paper over the coming weeks and months.

First, the highlights of changes to the Opinion pages. Then a little about the process we're using to arrive at our plans. When I first wrote to you as I assumed my duties here, I invited your comments about the paper. Of an estimated 300 e-mails and letters, I'd guess one third or so have dealt with some aspect of the Opinion pages and a recent redesign. Very few said you loved it. Some of you said you could leave it.

SNIP!

Beginning today, we're shifting the balance back toward more words. We'll still have photos and cartoons, but they will consistently run smaller. No more full-body photos of the letter-writer of the week or of people who contribute to our weekly highlights from local blogs.

SNIP!

Finally, we've decided that syndicated columnist Ann Coulter has worn out her welcome. Many readers find her shrill, bombastic and mean-spirited. And those are the words used by readers who identified themselves as conservatives. Taking her place on Saturdays will be Tony Snow, host of "The Tony Snow Show," syndicated nationally on Fox News Radio, and "Weekend Live with Tony Snow" on Fox News Channel. He has worked at a number of daily newspapers and is a former speechwriter for former President George H.W. Bush.

At all times, we welcome your feedback. You can write to me at the address below (or you'll find me listed every day on Page A2 of the paper). You'll also find Debbie's contact information there each day or with her regular Sunday column (on page H3 today).

Please let us know what you think.

David Stoeffler is publisher and editor of the Star. Contact him at [e-mail] or at P.O. Box 26807, Tucson, AZ 85726.