How unfortunate that we have so many people in this community who lack the valor to express their ideas and discuss their viewpoints out in an open, in an educated and civilized manner! They hide behind insults and accusations that have nothing to do with the issues, resulting in personal attacks.
In an anonymous email message in Spanish, the writer complained about this newspaper for “promoting the campaign of former mayor William Lantigua; the irresponsible way in which Lantigua was praised as a saint overlooking his mistakes.”
The writer (who pretends to be a woman although it may not be) also questioned the agenda of the columnist as well as the newspaper for “allowing him” to write it. And, of course, wondering what favors we owe Lantigua.
We will not bother responding to such cowardly, senseless and baseless accusations but wish to give a lesson to that individual regarding the main reason that brought most people to this country: Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press. We have never in eighteen years denied publication of a piece based on the writer’s opinion and based on facts (not rumors), written with the appropriate language and without personal insults.
I announced early enough that if anyone wanted to write an article supporting their favorite candidate – free of charge – they could send it along and only Lantigua’s people took advantage of that. I didn’t have to announce it as I did. After all these years, everyone should know that we are open to all points of views and our opinion is only expressed on this editorial and my column under my own name, as well as my radio program (CrossOver). Being the only local newspaper in Lawrence, we have a sacred commitment to allow access to this community and be their voice.
It is a shame that those people can’t read. They look at the pictures and place judgment based on what they see. For certain, the writer of that anonymous email chose to ignore my column in the same edition chastising Lantigua. Furthermore, anyone who thinks in such dictatorial, oppressive and third world kind of mentality, should go back to the system they came from since they are more comfortable there. They are a menace to this country!
What a wonderful world this would be if they would be willing to reason things out and have a normal conversation!
Let God be our judge if we ever refuse or censor anyone in violation of the reason we ran away from our own country.
