Debating all sides

To the editor:

The support for the Marion County Record since the Aug. 11 raid has been overwhelming.

In addition to freedom of the press, the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution includes freedom of speech.

That means anyone can express his or her thoughts and beliefs without fear of intimidation or persecution.

In recent years, evil influences have crept into our institutions and seek to eliminate certain points of view.

Anyone who writes something or speaks something that publicly exposes unscientific claims regarding climate change, sex, gender, or other cultural issues can be ignored as misinformed, canceled from social media, and, in some cases, lose their job or career.

Every issue has two sides, but if only one side is allowed to be heard or taught, that is called brainwashing.

Our media, government, education, and other institutions must restore the freedom to reasonably debate the issues and allow the hearers or readers to make up their own minds on which side they stand.

I hope that the same institutions that decried the raid on the Marion County Record will also decry discrimination against certain speech.

Let’s restore freedom of speech to our society.

Rowena Plett, Lincolnville