a spirit that is not afraid

So. If you click on the link above, you may be disheartened and confused as I was upon reading the editorial in last week's Plainsman, the weekly student run paper at Auburn University.
After switchning my major from pre-vet to agricultural communications, I began the routine (starting with that horrible spelling class) in the journo classes.
Part of that included a sememster of work at the Plainsman, which morphed into a several year stint including a paid position as "assistant news editor" (not sure what that meant, except that I did everything the news editor told me.)
I learned a lot and loved the stories I got to cover while there, which included when VP Dick Cheney visted Montgomery and a steeplechase (not related...)
This was all under the supervision of an academic advisor, Williams, who really let us do our own thing until we ran into a stumbling block that one of the senior editors couldn't solve.
I can't really speak for the advertising side of things because I recall just a few meetings that involved the whole staff and not just the 20+ editorial staffers.
However, upon reading this most recent editorial revealing, on the front page above the fold, all sorts of internal issues I am just a tad disheartened.
First because that paper has a strong foundation of good editorial judgement, which such a move isn't categorized as. Secondly because the hard working folks who are still trying to make a go of it have probably been penalized in part because of the action (however well thought out) of the editorial board.
And finally, the multiple-Pacemaker-winning Plainsman touts a "spirit that is not afraid" but being fearless doesn't equate to being careless in every case.
I hope folks who support the paper, incluing me via weekly readings online, will continue to do so regardless of this recent hiccup from the management.