I am writing in defense of the editors of this newspaper who were maligned in two recent letters.
One writer, Mr. Hemberger, said he rarely reads this newspaper since it became more liberal. He criticizes the editors for posting a picture of a gay pride event, goes on to say that most people don’t support such displays, suggests our Founding Fathers would be disappointed in us, and prays for our souls.
I would remind him that the Founding Fathers established a country where there is freedom of religion, speech, press, etc. ... (which includes that of dancing in a gay pride parade and publishing it in a newspaper).
I would also inform him that over 20 percent of 20-somethings now identify as LGBTQ, and they’re going to be running this country soon - so it’s probably time to accept the new reality.
Finally, I would remind him of the widespread sexual abuse of boys and its coverup by the clergy of the “great Christian nation” he is so proud of.
Mr. Bristol makes some valid points, and maybe he’s right that Cookie Doe is not representative of the average gay man. But many (maybe even the writer above) consider all gays (even the “average” ones) to be “perverted” and “insane” and “freaks.”
So is it wise for one member of a persecuted group to criticize others in the group for not fitting in (too flamboyant) or fitting in too well (too closeted)?
Maybe Cookie Doe is also a positive force, inspiring others to be whoever they want to be, even if not everyone’s cup of tea.
Anyway, it seems like Mr. Bristol’s tirade should be aimed at Cookie Doe, not this newspaper. They don’t create the events - they just report them.
He’s also unfair to the editors when he doubts they will publish his letter because it doesn’t follow the anything-goes liberal narrative.
I am an independent, I have read this free paper for years, and it generally does a pretty good job of presenting local news (just the facts) without politicizing it as well printing readers’ letters from both the right and left, regardless of how off-the-wall they may be - as the publishing of these two letters clearly showed.
David Wexler
Hamburg
