Let’s consider two recent letters with similarities. 1) A July 6 letter criticizing The Herald for not celebrating the Fourth on the front page, begins as follows: “Apparently, the editors at your paper were educated in Seattle Public Schools, attended The Evergreen State College and despise the United States of America.”
It may be reasonable to assume that those who were sufficiently passionate about commemorating the holiday, felt no need for The Herald’s cheerleading. Still, the writer reminds us by his childish reaction that its impossible to please everyone. What set of values though, condones accusing one’s fellow citizens of “despising the United States of America” without a semblance of proof? Expressing contempt for all who are perceived to hold differing views is no substitute for evidence. Its hard to imagine our founding fathers employing such a simplistic approach. The Herald owes no apology to the writer.
2) A July 4 letter proceeds on the unproven (and unlikely premise) that liberals are the only people concerned about the risks posed by freelance fireworks. He refers to them and the editorial board as the “political equivalent and the publication arm of the Taliban.” We won’t question his patriotism or love of country; it’s just that he despises roughly half its population. The Herald’s lenient policy regarding which letters are suitable to print, enables us to make fools of ourselves. We should try to remember however, that we are not necessarily required do so.
Dan Postema
Everett
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