Freely Speaking
Laura Breslin
Issue date: 9/29/05 Section: editor's picks
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Versus Magazine Online [Image based format]
Why write?
I write because I have so much on my mind, I want to get it out, and I hope people can learn something from it. With the Vanderbilt Hustler especially, my whole point was to write something to get people talking. Every week I would look at the news and think, "What is the most interesting thing I can write?" If it is controversial, then it's controversial and people are going to talk about it. People don't read things that aren't interesting or aren't controversial. For the Hustler, we need people to read the whole Hustler, and if they are not reading it, and they are just doing the crossword, then we have failed. The goal is to get readership up. Why? Because companies want to put their ads in our paper. And if we have 10,000 people reading, that means they are going to have a higher profit and they are going to invest more in our paper. If we only have 5,000, that sucks ... they are not going to want to advertise with us.
Did you receive any hate mail?
Actually I have never had any hate mail, just people writing to the Hustler, on both sides, in support and in opposition.
Are you going to run for Editor-In-Chief of the Vanderbilt Hustler in December?
Yes, I intend to apply to be the editor of the Hustler for the spring semester.
Abortion
Wilt generated much debate with his views on abortion; Versus was determined to delve deeper.
I am not actually all that extreme when it comes to abortion; I just thought that it was an issue that needs to be discussed. People tend to shy away from it because it's the third rail that you can't talk about, but that doesn't mean it isn't an important issue. I am pro-life in almost all instances; I don't ever really support the death penalty. As much as I would like to see Roe vs. Wade overturned and would love for all abortions to end, I realize that it is not likely to happen, so instead of being opposed to abortion, I actually would like to see adoptions increase, which help people and is pro-active.