Joseph Markee, (“Holiday and political statements,” Letters, July 8), seems to think The Columbian intentionally used the July 4 holiday for political purposes. I disagree. The Columbian simply reported the news as it occurred, including opinions about the news written expressly for the opinion pages.
There is nothing wrong or evil about that, and it does not in any way dishonor our military, past or present. Markee essentially suggests that freedom of speech be avoided at a time when we specifically celebrate being a nation that allows free speech. That is much more reprehensible than a news headline one does not wish to read. I suggest Markee use his freedom each year at this time to forgo reading the paper, if he is afraid they might print something he does not want to see.
My brother served in our military for more than two decades, and would defend without question The Columbian’s right to print the news as it has. He would say that limiting free speech is not why he enlisted. Free speech is not easy, and some will always be offended if the news is not what they want to hear. Freedom demands looking past that.
Kudos to The Columbian for keeping us informed.
