I love tea, but not in the slang usage (marijuana). I often select Camellia sinensis, the dried and prepared leaves of a shrub, brewed with hot water, iced and flavored with a sugar or substitute. Stops at one fast-food restaurant have increased dramatically since it started serving a large cup of freshly brewed sweet tea for $1. And "I'm lovin' it," if you know what I mean.

But tea parties are another matter.

If I had a daughter, which I don't, and she wanted me to play tea party with her, I gladly would. But I can't imagine attending a political tea party at the state Capitol grounds, even though more than 1,000 people recently did, maybe even 1,200 or more, according to some reports.

As a newspaper editor, it isn't wise to be seen at staged political, or seemingly political, gatherings. It has nothing to do with the message, with which I might agree, but everything to do with possibly being pegged by association as a supporter or sympathizer of like thinkers or political parties.

I must admit I have beliefs, forged over the years by my parents, other familial relationships, peers, politicians, political party winners and losers, good and bad government and policies, society, religious and ethical principles. But the minute I tip my political hands publicly, the newspaper I edit is labeled as conservative or liberal, right or wrong, good or bad, or, ultimately, biased and lacking in credibility.

Making that statement makes me a bit sad as I can't always be me. Not because I am ashamed of my beliefs, but because it would seem to shut the door to opposing points of view. In a way, I am a man wearing a career mask. Not so much like Zorro or the Lone Ranger, as they didn't disguise their thoughts, only their identities.

But an editor can't direct his or her newspaper's content toward one perspective at the exclusion of another. If both sides are upset, according to an old saying, an editor is likely doing something right. Complicating today's complicated world is that the old days of "both sides" are gone there are lots of middle, negotiated or settled-for positions across the spectrum.

The Tribune covered the tea party "protest" on July 2 as it would most staged events, a brief announcement that it would be held and a photo and caption of the event, explaining that those in attendance were concerned about President Barack Obama and tax increases, the federal bailout, growth of government and government-run health care.

None of that was "good enough" for some of those in attendance. The Tribune, I was told, took a beating on a radio show and a few blogs. It seemed there was an orchestrated phone campaign to complain. Some callers blistered me with charges of personal and newspaper liberalism, so appalling it was forcing them to cancel their newspaper subscriptions.

We talked and I hope all decided to remain readers.

The truth is this. We might not always agree on levels of coverage of events such as tea parties, but no event is ignored because of liberal or conservative political newspaper bias. I, and the newspaper, am well aware of the frustrations many face with the direction and leadership of the nation. We have been well aware of the same frustration others have felt throughout past years.

News pages should be a voice for all people. It can't only be an information vehicle for Republicans, or Democrats, liberals, conservatives, Caucasians, Native Americans, Catholics, non-denominational Christians, Jews, plumbers, doctors, politicians, teachers, administrators, carpenters, local or franchise businesses, or big-box store workers.

So, there will likely always be charges of favoritism and agendas. Individuals who work at newspapers have different points of view. But we work hard at limiting or stopping any personal influence on the news.

Our judgments are not always right. In hindsight, a reporter "covering" the Capitol tea party event would have been a good call, primarily because of the large turnout. But predicting, in advance, the number of people likely to attend an event is not an exact science. There are other considerations as well, including advance notice, staffing, other news of the day and fairness.

A final thought: Should publicity be the focus of a staged event? Or should it be to rally the troops to a call of action with clarity of message?

Power is generally with the people rather than the press. Just ask those at the original tea party.

(You can reach editor John Irby at 250-8266 or john.irby@;bismarcktribune.com and go to www.bismarcktribune.com/blog/?w=thepaper&e_id=2671/ to read his blog.)