I was pretty shocked when I read the letter by Charles Knight in a recent edition. It goes beyond opinion; it is openly hate speech. As a Democrat, I’ve heard plenty of derogatory insults, but his letter is the most dangerous kind of rhetoric. It reduces his “enemies” to being godless and evil. This is exactly the rhetoric of 1950s McCarthyism, which led to the slaughter of a state senator’s entire family by a deranged believer. Promoting hatred of political opponents is a dangerous trend. We saw on Jan. 6 where it can lead. Paul Pelosi was attacked by such a believer.

The writer has a right to free speech but, as publishers, you have the right to responsible editorial control.

Linda Zak

Ross Twp.