ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. -
A newspaper in the Northeast Kingdom is defending its printing of a controversial advertisement to promote its local team.
The Rice Green Knights upset the previously undefeated St. Johnsbury Academy Hill Toppers Thursday night. Before the game, the Caledonian Record printed the ad: "Go 'Toppers, Fry Rice" -- with Chinese calligraphy-style lettering. Some readers, and the Asian American Journalists Association, called it offensive.
In a Friday editorial, staff at the newspaper say they stand behind the ad saying: "Our only regret is that the poster drew attention away from the terrific kids it was intended to support. There's obviously no accounting for taste, but next year we might try, "Cook Rice."
