Charlotte County Florida Weekly

Letters from readers




 

Note: These letters responding to last week’s column, “The right of protest,” are abridged to provide room for more correspondents. Mr. Williams replies at bottom.

From Jayne Paffie

The students were attacked by the media because they are white, Catholic and wore Mega (MAGA) hats and that is truly shameful.

From Harry Follon

You … describe the students as “haters.” I would suggest that they were a group of somewhat goofy 15-year-olds, on a field trip, and while I don’t condone the “tomahawk chop” antics, it really is a stretch to compare them to a group of whites intimidating a lone black in a 60-year-old snapshot.

I fear that your line “Trump-loving white prep-school boys” is a bit of a giveaway to your mindset in writing this piece.

My mindset in writing this message is a mystery to me. I’m a Canadian, so I don’t really have a dog in this fight. I’m not Catholic, not pro-life, but I was appalled at the torrent of abuse directed at these boys.

I love the USA, spend my winters in Naples, and I’m saddened at the partisan divisiveness that prevails in today’s politics.

From Susan Helter

Can’t believe you continue to give (Roger Williams) a platform to write such fact-deprived commentary… Shame on your editor. Your (paper is) nothing more (than) a birdcage liner … Hope there is an apology from him.

From a woman who asked to remain anonymous

g( All in all (Florida Weekly) is a pretty good paper with diverse topics of interest (but) Roger Williams … is very divisive and negative … very one-sided in his opinions… Many may abandon reading because of him and his constant attacks on our President, (part of) a media world that we all must now acknowledge hates him…How many more lives will be ruined (by the media): Mike Flynn, a four-star general, lost his home; Paul Manafort, nothing to do with Russian collusion; Roger Stone is just the latest …

From LP Kosilla

It’s really a shame you fall into the Left side of news reporting. I’d have waited until I’d seen all videos before I made my mind up… In the future do your (due) diligence before you spew your trash.

From Andrea Jamison

I agree with your position that Americans have the right to peacefully protest. Just curious as to why you didn’t mention Nathan Phillips attempt to disrupt a Catholic Church service on January 22. I don’t believe they were wearing MAGA hats, or staring down anyone.

From Keith Lakes

I have always wanted to read something from a writer who lives by that age-old adage, “I have already made up my mind, don’t confuse me with the facts” and now I have.

Why didn’t you just admit from the beginning of your column that what really pissed you off was the boys’ choice of hatware (hat wear)?

From Altomease Kennedy

I read your commentary, “The right of protest.” One of my mother’s favorite sayings was that “people can disagree without being disagreeable.” Your column supports my Mother’s position. Unfortunately, President Trump has encouraged people to follow his lead by being disagreeable and disrespectful to others. Such conduct by a US President undermines the American promise of equality.

From Jon Ryan

In my opinion, your column “The right of protest,” libels “The Kentucky kid” and his classmates.

Those students did not mock Nathan Phillips. Those students are not haters. Those students did not disrespect Nathan Phillips. Those students did not “surround” Nathan Phillips. Those students were not hostile …

I think an appropriate subject for your column next week would be to offer a profound apology for all of the above …

From Christine Glatz

I usually enjoy reading your commentary, even if I don’t always agree with you. Unfortunately, your media bias was on full display this week as was your unforgivable lack of research … This is exactly why so many are talking about “fake news.” We are starved for unbiased reporting and searching for someone to stand up for truth.

From Ed Bennett

I actually wanted to think you were a slightly misguided liberal with good intentions and a good heart toward others. I am convinced, by your last several articles, you are that mean-spirited person in the mirror and you are aware of the distortions within your rants. It’s not satire, it’s propaganda .

From Betsey J. Kohlus

Do you realize the bias expressed in your commentary? … I’m independent politically, but am saturated with media bias. Try some accuracy and objectivity. You’ve lost it.

Response from Mr. Williams

I thank all who wrote about last week’s column, “The right of protest.” I apologize for my reporting error: Although a former Marine, Nathan Phillips did not serve in Vietnam, as I indicated.

There were no other factual errors in the column, only my opinions — the purpose of a column. I watched all videos available by press time. The First Amendment guarantees everyone the right to speak, including racists, liars and angry protestors, unless they incite violence. That didn’t happen in Washington.

It is never divisive, as some correspondents seem to suggest, to point to lies, cruelties, abuses of power, and demonstrable misjudgment in political leaders when they’ve been shown to be real.

Owners of mainstream media outlets including Florida Weekly are not generally “left” in their politics. They’re often centrist and sometimes conservative, as a number of surveys or studies have shown. Florida Weekly publishes both “liberal” and “conservative” opinions in the interest of fairness, each week.

I invite you to write again — or to ask your bird to write in the event my column lines its cage. All letters are welcome. ¦

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