In his column last week, Steve Woods says “… a nasty and insidious pest is ramping up in Maine” (“Intentionally Unreasonable: Locust season is upon us”). He challenges us to curtail our American right to free speech because, in his opinion, letters to the editor are like “pesky creatures.” In fact, he disdains a typical LTE format used primarily by writers because of strict word-count policies. So, here’s my response, keeping to the same format he criticizes:

“I’m writing to Steve Woods because of his lack of knowledge about the Constitution’s free speech articulated in the First Amendment. I’ve never read Woods’ work or met this particular columnist, but I can’t believe any writer would ever advocate to stifle the right to access freedom of the press. In fact, Woods is an incredibly ineffective supporter of our First Amendment rights. I would rather not read any more of his intentionally unreasonable opinions.”

As an American citizen who values free speech, I intentionally believe that letters to the editor are missives, like doves, and they are deserving of our respect.

Juliana L’Heureux
Topsham


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