Freedom of speech

May 03, 2008 10:30 pm

— I like reading the letters to the editor, especially the ones which comment on liberal, leftist and conservative viewpoints. I am an American citizen who emigrated from Colombia, South America. In my former country, as well as other countries, such letters to the editors were rare because writers were afraid to express their opinions. I love the U.S. because of the freedom of speech and expression.
Sometimes I do not agree with the opinions of some of the conservative writers because I do believe that we can love and embrace everyone regardless of country of origin, religious beliefs, educational background, race or their socio-economic status.
I believe that the conservative opinions are not so different from mine. I do not believe the conservative writers are bigots or racists. They are only expressing how they feel. The critics of the conservatives appear intolerant when they label the conservative writers as bigots.
I am saddened that some people are so hard on them, that they express hostility to the point of shunning these writers. In my case, some of my friends have shunned me because of my friendships with some of them. Shame on them. That kind of behavior is only showing a lack of understanding and in a way they are being as bad as their opponents.
Myriam White
Stillwater