Sniping from the shadows is unacceptable in a democracy

By Letter to the Editor on December 20, 2017.

Ticked Off and Tickled Pink is a weird little column, offering anonymity to all. That is fine for people who want to offer compliments or thanks without seeming to expect recognition themselves. It’s a different matter, however, when it provides a cloak of darkness to malicious individuals and people who have a need to say nasty things to unidentified fellow drivers, shoppers, dog-owners, city officials or guest columnists.

I love seeing references to my columns, whether positive or negative.It means someone is reading them. However, I sign my columns. My picture shows everyone who I am. I do this because democracy requires it. Democracy exists only when there is freedom of responsible speech, and where public forums exist (like newspapers) where any and all ideas are allowed to be aired. In the light of day and the presence of reasoned debate, good ideas thrive and bad ideas shrivel.

Sniping from the shadows or dropping little bits of anonymous verbal acid in a silly little column is unacceptable in a democracy. It mocks the idea of responsible speech and signals the death of reasoned debate. Sign your name! Stop being a coward! Take responsibility! Stand up like an adult, not like a little child shouting from behind daddy’s pant legs.

Peter Mueller

Medicine Hat

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