Both sides guilty of picking audiences

I don’t know what planet Phyllis Minchew is living on. It’s sure not planet Earth (“‘Free speech zones’ smack of police state,” Thursday, Letters).

What makes her think that only the Republicans are guilty of the things she mentions having read in news articles regarding suppressing free speech? Look at the front page article about Sen. John Kerry’s visit to Everett – “A handpicked audience will hear the candidate speak on Friday at the Everett Events Center.” Who tried to stop the Swift Boat ads by threatening to sue radio stations? Who asked the book stores to stop selling the book “Unfit for Command”? And who asked the publisher to stop printing the book “Unfit For Command”? I’ll tell you who, in case you didn’t know – it was the Kerry campaign! Kerry also sent a former senator to Crawford, Texas, to ask Bush to condemn the Swift Boat people and their ads. Talk about trying to suppress free speech.

As far as a stacked Supreme Court, who do you think appoints the judges? When a liberal president is in office, he appoints liberal judges and when a Republican president is in office, he appoints conservative judges.

I suggest Phyllis Minchew wake up and smell the roses and become informed before making these charges. Both sides are guilty of choosing their audience. And before you go off on the Swift Boat people, remember the liberal Web site “Moveon.org” and the Michael Moore movie and all its left wing smears.

May I suggest that if you want to win the war against terrorism, the only way to vote is for President Bush.

Charles C. Heinitz

Snohomish

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, Feb. 7

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Curtains act as doors for a handful of classrooms at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Schools’ building needs point to election reform

Construction funding requests in Arlington and Lake Stevens show need for a change to bond elections.

Schwab: Trump proves not as bad as feared; it’s worse

Taking food and medicine from kids; surrendering control to Musk; is this what you voted for?

Keep necessary homeless service program at its Everett location

Regarding The Herald’s front-page coverage of the Hope ‘N Wellness community services… Continue reading

We can’t afford the rich not paying their fair share

In a recent column, Todd Welch claims that a wealth tax on… Continue reading

Can we find a politically moderate path, please?

I was just wondering what happened to the moderates. I am a… Continue reading

Kristof: World’s richest men take on world’s poorest people

Trump says the USAID is run by ‘radical lunitics.’ Is saving countless lives now lunacy.

FILE- In this Nov. 14, 2017, file photo Jaìme Ceja operates a forklift while loading boxes of Red Delicious apples on to a trailer during his shift in an orchard in Tieton, Wash. Cherry and apple growers in Washington state are worried their exports to China will be hurt by a trade war that escalated on Monday when that country raised import duties on a $3 billion list of products. (Shawn Gust/Yakima Herald-Republic via AP, File)
Editorial: Trade war would harm state’s consumers, jobs

Trump’s threat of tariffs to win non-trade concessions complicates talks, says a state trade advocate.

A press operator grabs a Herald newspaper to check over as the papers roll off the press in March 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald file photo)
Editorial: Push back news desert with journalism support

A bill in the state Senate would tax big tech to support a hiring fund for local news outlets.

Jayden Hill, 15, an incoming sophomore at Monroe High School is reflected in the screen of a cellphone on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Students need limits on cellphones in school

School districts needn’t wait for legislation to start work on policies to limit phones in class.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, Feb. 6

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Lake Stevens school bond funds needed safety work at all schools

A parent’s greatest fear is for something bad to happen to their… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.