About free speech, there’s much more to be said: Letters – Long Beach Press Telegram

Theres more to be said about freedom of speech

Re Campus free speech gets a needed defense (Editorial, May 13 ):

Exception should be taken to the Press-Telegrams editorial support of Assemblywoman Melissa Melendezs Campus Free Speech Act. Its my belief that most, if not all, colleges and universities support and encourage free speech. But there are other concerns that must be given priority and must be assured.

First is the safety and security of students, staff, faculty and visitors. Second is the safety and security of campus facilities, grounds and property which are in many instances are public assets.

These things must be assured, and if they cannot be, then it would be irresponsible of campuses to support the appearance of any person or group, irrespective of political alignment or controversial beliefs, solely for some ideal commitment to free speech.

On free speech: Not all speech should be considered free speech. I believe that our society has evolved. In the 21st century, should we accept and give platform to the type of speech that Hitler and fascists gave in the 1920s and 1930s? Should the grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan be given a platform for that philosophy?

Colleges and universities are committed to free speech. But within institutions of higher learning, speech must be intellectually valid and rigorous and fact-based. The existence of differing opinions and beliefs keeps our society and country vibrant and growing. But, even opinions must be morally and ethically relevant.

Gary Murph, Bellflower

Running the government well isnt childs play

Re Thousands of toys meant for needy L.A. County children never made it to them (May 9):

The lack of oversight, incompetence and waste uncovered during an audit of every department of the Los Angeles County Childrens Trust Fund is only the tip of the iceberg of misuse, abuse and fraud at all levels of government.

And we want the government to manage our health care?

Lynn Wood, Long Beach

Russians didnt make people vote for Trump

Investigating Russian interference in our recent election is a waste of time and money. Do we really think a Hillary Clinton supporter would be so offended by reading the leaked DNC emails that they would vote for Donald Trump? Patently ridiculous.

As President Obama famously told Sen. John McCain in 2010 in a room full of people: The election is over. Democrats need to plan for 2020 and quit hoping for a do-over of 2016.

Advertisement

John Knapp, Long Beach

Obamas Wall St. speech will be about hypocrisy

Bill Maher, political commentator among other things, is noted as a liberals liberal, and also knows not to pull punches when it comes to hypocrisy. Thats why he took a shot at former President Obama for taking a $400,000 fee for a speech on Wall Street.

Yes, it was the same Obama who criticized the wealthiest 1 percent during the 2012 election and the same Obama who defended Hillary Clinton after she took huge fees for the same speech. In Mahers words: ethics for thee, but not for me.

Oren Woods, Long Beach

Leave sharks alone

Re We must take action against great white sharks (Letters, May 17):

The sharks sighted are juveniles, mostly less than 10 feet in length and less than a year old. They were born in Santa Monica Bay from the Northern mature population that migrates south to do that. Great Whites have gone there to give birth since the beginning of time. The youngsters feed on shallow-water dwellers like sting rays, halibut and small fish until they can grow to look for larger prey elsewhere. They should be left alone.

Elliott Thompson, Los Alamitos

Fashion watch

Re Wed gladly wear a romper, but well be the last one to do it (Tim Grobaty, May 16):

I, and the rest of the sighted world, would sincerely like to thank Tim Grobaty for rejecting the idea of ever wearing a romper, thus not striking us all blind.

Guy Rosenlof, Long Beach

Read the original here:
About free speech, there's much more to be said: Letters - Long Beach Press Telegram