Ask Elsa

Gender bias

Q: In the Sports section Saturday, why was the headline about Dara Torres, but the main photo of Michael Phelps. Typical. Typical. Typical. The paper doesn't give women credit. Jean, Mount Pleasant.

A: The story was about Phelps and Torres, both big stories for this year's Olympics. She, at 41, earned a chance to return to the Olympics. He set a world record.

It was fair to feature both.

You might have noticed that Monday's Sports front featured a story at the top of the page about Dara Torres along with a color photo of her.

Yuck

Q: In a world in which millions are starving to death and in a nation in which type 2 diabetes is an epidemic among children, just because ESPN is sufficiently tasteless to televise a hot dog eating contest, does The Post and Courier have to prove itself equally tasteless by promoting the event with a gross photograph of last year's "winner"? Deane, Mount Pleasant.

A: The photo at the top of Saturday's 1A didn't pass my breakfast test. Was it palatable to someone eating a bowl of cereal? Nope.

The contest story appeared where it made sense — on the Top of the Second which takes a playful look at Sports-related stories.

Rescue

Q: The story about the rescue in Colombia was wonderful. It appeared on 1A Friday, but I think it should have been at the top of the page instead of the bottom. Irene, Isle of Palms.

A: The story about the rescue of 15 hostages was indeed a significant story. It easily could have replaced the story stripped across the top of the page about Mount Pleasant facing a possible tax increase, another story of interest to local readers.

Elsa McDowell, public editor, welcomes questions or comments about the paper's news coverage. Call 937-5626 or e-mail her at askelsa@postandcourier.com.