To the editor:
I’m writing this in response to the letters to the editor that appeared in The Item on Dec 31, written by Dylan Cashman and Mary Gatlin.
I find it disheartening that they felt it was appropriate to shame the person “who made the decision to print this letter” (Gatlin), urging them to “Quit your job! Do it, right now!” (Cashman). I assume the decision to publish was ultimately made by Thor Jourgensen, the editorial editor — a decision which I applaud.
Compare and contrast Gatlin’s and Cashman’s responses to Ed Myskowski’s letter published on Jan 1.
Rather than attack the decision to print the letter, he provides a reasoned response to a specific point raised by Richard Eramian in the original article (Item, Dec 30) that triggered the vitriol against the editor(s).
My hope and prayer for this new year is that we all would take the time to really listen to people who hold different opinions than ours. Rather than impugn the character of a person or try to destroy their livelihood (cancel culture), we might respond in a more thoughtful manner (like Ed did), so that once again it might be possible to have open discussion on controversial topics in the public square.
Bill O’Keefe
Lynn
