Auditor correct to deny Eyman use of ‘B.S.’ in pamphlet

Published 1:30 am Monday, September 4, 2017

I like Tim Eyman. He is a public-spirited angel fighting for economic justice for all. He doesn’t have to make political deals with often-less-than-pure lawmakers. His voice, his spirit, his intelligence are his weapons. But sometimes even the noblest slip as he did in using the vernacular term “B.S.” in his voter pamphlet proposal (“Eyman’s ‘B.S’ deemed too vulgar for voter’s pamphlet,” The Herald, Sept. 1). County Auditor Carolyn Weikel is correct in drawing the line on this expression in a public document. The use of language depends on the audience and the setting. Or should depend on audience and setting.

Standards of propriety are falling. What is correct and appropriate for our children, our colleagues, our families, our friends, the general public has been changing. This is one more example — a small one — of inappropriate language spilling over into public discourse. Ms. Weikel should refuse to allow the vulgar use of this expression based on the administrative rules for voter pamphlets.

Ange D’Andre

Mill Creek