Published in the Woodstock Independent, this letter to the Editor from Diane Evertsen is republished here with the author’s permission:
Diane Evertsen
As adults we are responsible to cultivate in our children the need to have principles and standards, without which we regress to something akin to a 1960’s era of “If it feels good, do it.”
It calls into question your OPINION column of Jan. 16-22, 2019, in which you compare Joe Tirio to a porn queen.
Understanding freedom of speech, we certainly recognize and accept that political contests are prone to some exaggeration and ‘puffing’.
However, when we’re encouraged to believe, by your OPINION, that outright lies and deceit are perfectly acceptable we step off the ledge and into the abyss.
Your column leads me to believe you find it acceptable to lie and that it’s laughable for any individual to stand for principles and defend their own good name.
Coming from a newspaper, protected by the First Amendment of our Constitution for the purpose of bringing facts forward for the education of the public, I find it unsettling that you so vociferously defend such blatant deceit.
Your attack on Mr. Tirio is unacceptable.
As we look to attract honest people to run for political office, your OPINION assures them you’ll do your best to allow their opposition to viciously attack them, their families, their supporters.
So, when you engage in conversations and ask, “Why don’t good people run for public office?”, the answer is pretty simple:
YOU are the reason; promoting dishonesty does not encourage honest people to become engaged.
Diane certainly speaks for me on this issue and I firmly believe that the Woodstock independent is the best paper that Jack’s money can buy.
Well perhaps that could be the Northwest Herald.
Although Diane’s points are well taken she misses motive entirely.
The motive today in any “news” source is profit, not some noble search for anything related to Truth.
As long as anyone can tell outright lies and still feed their family(or even feed them really well) there is zero chance of anything resembling nobility or journalism anywhere at all.
Once these sources start hurting financially they will either become more outrageous or die.
This is the pattern.
Motive is the important measure and simply always has been.
Well said!
WI trying to outdo FakeNews NWH.
What is “laughable”. Is that all these Millenial Garbage Baby’s, have being enslaved by their political heroes, to pay for my Viagra and my wife’s Springsteen Tics.
@Priest Example BUZZFEED!!
Unfortunately, the message will be ignored by many just because of the messenger.
The media has spent years doing hit pieces on Diane and even Republicans like David McSweeney have attacked her (nasty guy!).
To anybody who is either controversial or perhaps doesn’t have a great W-L record, consider getting someone to take credit for your letters — preferably someone who doesn’t have a blatantly obvious association with the party, but at the very least someone who doesn’t have bad optics.
An American, you are stupid.