BY TOM FIEDLER

Words are important. Using them properly is critical to me as executive editor of this newspaper and to me personally. I am conscious of the power of words to render good. And the power of words to create hurt.

I am guilty of using words that created hurt by way of an ill-chosen metaphor I used during a newsroom staff meeting Tuesday.

I want to repeat my sincere apologies for those remarks. I was referring to a particular critic mounting relentless attacks on our newsroom for the last several weeks charging that we are in league with the Cuban government. I used an unfortunate term, intending only to refer to the persistence and sharpness of the commentary. My intent was not to offend anyone, although I now realize that I did. Again, my deepest apologies.