Dear Editor;
I am not writing to defend the editor, but rather what he stands for: freedom of speech.
The dictionary defines the word, ‘editorial’, as, “an article in a publication expressing the opinion of its editors or publishers.”
A wise person once told me that arguing about religion or politics is pointless because there is no right or wrong, there are only opinions. So keeping this in mind, should every person who has a different opinion than Mr. Carrigan or our government, not be heard?
A national survey was conducted among journalists in Canada in which they were asked, “What is the greatest threat to free speech?” They said, “Misinformed journalists and an apathetic public.”
Without journalists holding our leaders accountable, or at the very least, broadening our minds, we are in serious trouble as Canadians. If you doubt what I say Mr. Carrigan, try to contact one of your elected officials that you are defending. Then, get a meeting with them. Then, try to get them to hear your concerns. If, after all that, you are finally granted an audience, you had better hope your concerns fit into their party’s agenda or you will be sidestepped, put off, or just ignored. How’s that for accountability!
So if you voted for the Conservatives like the majority of Canadians, good for you! You exercised your right to vote; Mr. Taylor is exercising his right to free speech, as are you, as am I. But do not put on blinders or be apathetic because one of the editor’s “fairy tales”, as you put it, might become a reality and it might be one of your civil rights that is trampled on.
The problem as I see it, is that if it doesn’t concern or effect us, we don’t care. But we better start caring as a community, a province and a country because what effects one of us effects all of us. So why should the editor be censored?
You have the right not to read this newspaper and we all have the right to our opinions.
Allan Richardson
Rimbey