Chicago Tribune Censors Obituary In Lieu of Flowers Vote Democratic

[RamboLiberal]

Kenneth Swanborn, a BuzzFlash reader, died at age 49 last week. His family took out an obituary in the two main papers in Chicago: the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times.

In the Trib, Swanborn's obituary was censored. The last line should have been (and is, at the Sun-Times) "In lieu of flowers, vote Democratic." The Trib said they were concerned that the line would be "offensive" to readers.

According to local writer Eileen Favorite, the family has said that Trib eventually relented and will reprint the original obituary in full, albeit without the information about the already-passed memorial services. Neither the director of corporate communications nor the obituary writer for the Tribune returned messages from BuzzFlash requesting confirmation, so we'll have to take Favorite's word for it. At the time of publishing this News Analysis, the phrase "In lieu of flowers, vote Democratic" has not been reinserted in the online obituary for Swanborn.

Simply perusing the online guest book for the obituary shows Ken (who also performed stand-up comedy under the name Ken Swann) was well-loved not only for his big heart and sense of humor, but also for his political passion.

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/analysis/452

RIP Ken - you were our kind of guy. And you can be sure there are a ton of us who will vote Democratic!

[JimDandy]

1. What a great request by Swanborn's family.

Sheesh, censuring an obituary, because it might be "offensive" to readers. I think the "reader" who was offended was some repub obit editor.

[Hekate]

2. We had a local obit that exhorted friends to vote Dem in lieu of flowers, too!

What a great idea. How sad that Ken Swanborn died so young.

Hekate

[kevinmc]

3. The Trib said they were concerned that the line would be "offensive" to readers.

Sam Zell
Tribune Co. chairman, CEO; real estate magnate $22,300 to McCain

that's who would findit offensive

http://www.newsmeat.com/2008a-list.php

[MiniMe]

4. Fail

I'm "offended" that they didn't print the obit as the family wanted it.