The person behind the opinions: Oren Spiegler
Oren Spiegler frequently writes letters to the editor to many newspapers.
Oren Spiegler 2
CELESTE VAN KIRK
Regular readers of the Observer-Reporter editorial page may recognize the name Oren Spiegler as a frequent contributor of letters to the editor. The Upper Saint Clair resident, 61, is a government hearing officer who loves politics and public affairs and is never shy about discussing controversial issues. We decided to find out why he is so passionate about public affairs and making his voice heard.
What makes you contribute to the O-R editorial page frequently and have you always been interested in politics and civic affairs?
Politics and public affairs have always stimulated me. I have taken an interest in this from an early age. My first published letter was in 1973 at the age of 17. Since then, I have had thousands of letters published in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and Time Magazine. I am intellectually stimulated by stories of controversy in government. It is a catharsis to express my feelings in writing – even in letters that are not published – and I enjoy the feedback I often receive, even when it is unfavorable. I have always been a newspaper reader and would be lost without the three daily periodicals to which I subscribe. It is gratifying to know that thousands of people are likely to see what I have written. I appreciate that the editorial board has been so welcoming to me and my submissions.
Do you get comments or reaction from neighbors, politicians or other readers on your contributions?
I regularly receive comments from neighbors, elected officials and readers. I have received many pieces of mail and telephone calls over the years. The split of approving and disapproving comments is close to fifty/fifty. If I receive something in the mail which is unsigned and which contains profanity and grammatical errors, I know it is not going to be complimentary! I have gotten to know many elected officials over the years and that has been most gratifying. Some of them have written to me or telephoned me. I am particularly impressed when this occurs with elected officials of whom I am not a constituent. Some of those with whom I have corresponded extensively subsequently served time in prison for corruption! One of my most gratifying moments was when then Abington, Pennsylvania State Representative, now State Attorney General Josh Shapiro, devoted time to meet with me to discuss state government issues when he arrived in Pittsburgh for legislative business.
Why do you feel it is important to voice your opinion as a citizen and reader of the newspaper and do you feel as if you have helped to make any impact on issues or in fueling discussion?
A prominent former elected official once said that every person who takes the time and effort to contact an elected official is speaking for about 2,000 people. I believe elected officials have taken that to heart. I believe they often will pay attention to correspondence which is well-written and respectful. I do not expect to persuade masses of people to change their positions based on what I write. But I believe that I have caused many to think about the issues in a different way, some of whom have come to see things through my lens. I follow state government closely and consider it to be the branch which has immense impact on our lives. One of the most intelligent and informed people I know, and who is also a prolific writer, often says to me after reading a letter, “You have educated us again,” one of the greatest compliments I can hope to receive.
What do you think makes the editorial page an important venue to voice your opinions? Do you think social media is taking away from this platform or do you think it adds another forum for discussion?
I believe the editorial page reflects the pulse of the community and the feedback I receive causes me to conclude that it is a popular part of the newspaper. The consistent decline in newspaper readership concerns me, but I want to believe that newspapers will continue to survive and that there will always be a print edition of it even if publication no longer takes place seven days a week.