Three weeks ago, I wrote a column asking folks to stop unfairly bashing the media. Man, did I kick the fire-ant mound with that one.

Specifically, I asked critics of my profession — many of whom do their bashing anonymously — to reconsider their notion that “the media” refuses American military folks the coverage and support they deserve.

I mentioned an email with touching photographs of the flag-draped coffin of a U.S. Marine. The anonymous writer urged recipients to forward the photos to everyone they knew, because “the media” surely wouldn’t give the hero his due.

Problem was, the photos were published in the Rocky Mountain News six years before Anonymous decided to share them with the world and take a potshot at the media in the process. The photos even won the Pulitzer Prize, for goodness’ sake.

Newspapers around Texas picked up the column. Swarms of readers responded. Many were supportive. Others took me to task, saying that “the media” richly deserve any and all mudballs that get slung our way.

The good news is that only one critic saw fit to remain anonymous. Everybody else signed what appeared to be their real names, which I consider something of a moral victory. In some cases, they even listed their hometowns.

Here are some samples from the mailbag:

“Well said. It’s just too bad it needed saying. Write on.”

— Leif Salvesen, Plano

“(T)he mainstream media, it seems to me, has struggled long and hard over many years to EARN the loss of confidence they are suffering now . . . The national media do not reflect the attitude or assumptions of most of the people and, moreover, they don’t try to hide it, they flaunt their contempt for us (implicitly) in their every word and image.”

— Michael Sherry, Fort Worth

“A free press is absolutely essential to a democratic society and the formulation of public policy. Contrast America’s freedom of the press with totalitarian regimes, where television, papers, magazines, etc., are all owned and controlled by the state and we have an appreciation of why this country is the world’s lone superpower.”

— Allen Commander, Brenham

“The Casey Anthony debacle in Florida has nothing on the media. In either case, media or a trial, it is obvious that the search for truth is irrelevant.”

— Thomas Sandlin, Liberty Hill

“Your opinion and the First Amendment are unrelated and define why the media lacks respect.”

— Vincent Maleche, Friendswood

“I believe that journalism is a line of defense against political abuse . . . I am very wary of bloggers who spout off and do not verify sources or sign their names to their writings.”

— Steve Arvedson, Houston

“It is unfortunate that many do not understand how important our newspapers are to our country and the sacrifices that many make to keep the public informed.”

— Eric A. Anderson, Austin

“It would be a sad day if (newspapers) were missing, replaced by berserk bloggers spreading conspiracy theories on the internet, or by the talking heads on 24-hour cable news.”

— John DeVillier, Groves

“Maybe you haven’t been keeping up with current events, but the lack of vetting has unleashed Barry Obama on us to do his socialistic experiments while the ‘media’ cheers him on simply on the basis of his color. The press was so intent on electing a black man that they let this rookie into the White House during the most challenging time we have ever experienced. Now you want sympathy?”

— Bill Bailey, Houston

“There you libs go again. Double standard ablaze! . . . (A) little factual criticism and the cry babies like you come out to protect what you really should not have — carte blanche. If your (sic) fair and balanced you will not be attacked, unless of course your (sic) Fox News! ask (sic) Obama and his WH thugs. Worse than Clinton. You reap what you so (sic), or did you miss that in journalism school (along with grammar, spelling, and on and on). Actually, your grammar etc (sic) was pretty good.”

— E.P. (Lou) Marinos, Seabrook

“Your column . . . was delightful in its response to the cowardly bloggers who attack real newspeople while hiding behind a curtain. After serving as a professor of American history and political science for more than 30 years, I am saddened by the complete stupidity of some of our ‘patriotic citizens.’ Please know and tell every reporter you meet that they and their work are deeply appreciated.”

— E.R. Milner, Denton

“I often describe the media as worse than vampires because vampires only come out at night.”

— Kyle D. Dutton, Savannah

That’s a good sampling of opinion on the subject, so let’s stick a fork in it and call it done. We’ll chew on something a little lighter next week if that’s OK with you. Meanwhile, see you at the coffee shop. I’ll be the guy with the cape and fangs.

Donnis Baggett is publisher and editor of the Waco Tribune-Herald . Email him at dbaggett@wacotrib.com.

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• Donnis Baggett: In defense of 'the media'