Speech yes, silence no

To the Editor:

Thank you for your recent “Damn democracy” editorial. Achieving the goals of democracy requires constant vigilance and debate. Your statement has stayed with me because it captures the political malaise influencing us all. Those like me who oppose Trump and those who support him are more likely to express our views, but your message is for everyone who cares about our country’s future. That means all of us. It is not a time for silence.

Yes, it can be discomforting We often hear “Let’s not get into politics” in social situations. Speaking truth to power, or sharing our worries about what is happening to our nation, is something we must all do in whatever forum open to us. To stay silent is to be complicit with what is happening, even if we are unwilling to admit it. History is replete with the tragic results when people kept silent when leaders preached divisiveness and branded groups and institutions as “enemies of the people.”

Speaking truth to our leaders is especially important for those in the media, since your job is to track and analyze the news. You also have a broader audience than our individual discussions with friends, letters to editors and calls to legislators. Since you became editor of the paper, you have demonstrated that you not only care about this community and cover as much local news as possible, but you also deeply believe in encouraging public debate about issues that impact our lives beyond our daily routines. And each time you do so, you invite others to respond, to agree or disagree with your views. Isn’t this what we should expect of and support from all our media?

Again, thank you!

Richard Wisniewski

Shelter Bay