Editorial
The price of free speech
"Two cheers for democracy,
one because it admits variety,
and two because it permits criticism."
- E.M. Forster, 19th century writer
While other newspapers in the U.S. 5th Congressional District have
refused, the Canby Herald and some of its sister newspapers chose to run a paid political
insert from Republican candidate Brian Boquist in a recent edition.
The insert looks like a tabloid newspaper, but it is important to point out it was a paid
political advertisement. It is also important readers know why it was in our newspaper.
It is not because of money. It is because of freedom of speech. To be honest, we find
Boquist's insert troubling because of a number of the claims he made.
He claims he's not throwing mud at incumbent U.S. Rep. Darlene Hooley, D-Salem, who he is
challenging in the Nov. 7 general election, but is just pointing out her record.
What we read, however, are issues reduced to the lowest common denominator. He
oversimplifies her record by not acknowledging the whys and wherefores of her votes,
instead opting to go for the gut reaction.
Most bills that go before Congress arrive with a dizzying array of attachments, amendments
and riders. Most people could pick apart most bills and find something written within it
to criticize, Democrat or Republican.
Boquist asserted Hooley voted on four different occasions in support of the use of
taxpayer funds for abortion services in foreign countries. However, under federal law
enacted in 1973, tax money is prohibited to be used to promote or perform abortions
overseas.
He also states she voted against a patients' bill of rights. Hooley did, but it was a bill
of rights essentially drafted by insurance industry lobbyists, and she opted for another
version.
It could be argued Boquist is technically accurate in his statements, but it appears to be
a case of being accurate without necessarily being true. Mudslinging is not simply
erroneous attacks on a person's character - it's imparting information to make the
opponent look bad, irrespective of context.
We deal with facts and figures each week that, worded in a particular way, could make
people - politicians and all others - to look ignorant, cruel or worse.
However, we know that facts do not exist in a vacuum. They exist in context, and we try to
provide that context - be it an opposing view, statistical data, or contrary published
reports.
Nevertheless, although we may feel the tone and style of Boquist's insert was unfair to
the incumbent, he does have the right to make his statements. As with all politicians, he
can run his campaign - and spend his campaign dollars - as best as he sees fit.
We would run similar sentiments in our letters to the editor and opinion page, and we are
running letters we have received opposed to the publication of Boquist's insert.
We are not afraid to be critical of a politician and his or her issues, and are aware that
politicians and readers can freely criticize our opinions and decisions.
People have and should debate whether or not his comments are in good taste, but they are
not libelous or obscene. Besides, our system of democratic government works best when
there is a free flow of ideas and opinions, no matter how unpalatable they may be to some
people, including ourselves.
One of our roles in the public process is to keep the debate of public issues as open and
robust as possible, which means allowing opinions we may not agree with or tones we may
find too harsh.
We understand why other newspapers in the region decided not to run the paid insert, and
it was a decision we wrestled with.
We opted to err on the side of openness and trust, in the grand American tradition, that
the truth will rise up out of a chorus of conflicting voices.
We also hope the attention given to the decision will result in a greater discussion of
issues between the two candidates during the next two months - and is not a precursor to a
mudslinging blitz in the race's final stretch. |
Letters
to the editor
Graffiti at Canby's
new skate park
is offensive
On Sunday, Sept. 10, I took my sons to the new Canby Skate Park for the first
time.
Imagine our disgust when we were confronted with graffiti everywhere - on the seating and
in the bowls. It included the worst possible language. It's unfortunate that such a nice,
new facility is already defaced by uncaring, unsupervised young people.
Also, we saw only a few children wearing helmets. There are several signs posted that say
helmets are required, without exception.
What kind of message is this sending to our children?
Toni Gumaer
Aurora
Editor's note: On a visit to the skate park Wednesday, Sept. 13, a
Herald reporter noted the graffiti had been painted over by city crews, and that many
children do not wear helmets or protective equipment.
Growth in Canby
is hitting home
in Aurora
It appears Canby wants to be part of the Portland Metropolitan District by providing
Clackamas County a new industrial park.
Most of Canby's country-like appeal is gone for those of us still living outside the city
limits. I guess that is progress.
Canby's growth, however, should not impact Aurora's desire to stay a small, rural town.
But it is!
The lack of an I-5 connection from Clackamas County, near Canby, has sent so much traffic
through Aurora that the city couldn't afford the road maintenance and gave Marion County
ownership of two streets in the center of Aurora's historic district for the purpose of a
modern truck route.
The need for an I-5 route was addressed by the city of Canby and Clackamas County more
than 12 years ago as " . . . absolutely necessary to accommodate the city's expected
industrial and commercial growth."
Now, the National Historic District of Aurora will soon have a new gateway - a traffic
light and a main truck route.
Is this what Canby calls "responsible growth management?"
Diane C. Anderson
Aurora
Boquist insert was
'deceitful, misleading'
I was shocked and appalled to read candidate Brian Boquist's eight-page paid insert that
appeared in the Sept. 13 edition of the Canby Herald.
At a time when Republican candidates speak of "changing the tone" of politics,
Mr. Boquist's paid insert represents politics at its worst.
First, the insert was embarrassingly negative and insulting. Rather than directly
addressing the facts about Congresswoman Darlene Hooley's record, the paid advertisement
was simply attack-dog mudslinging.
Moreover, the insert was deceitful. The insert misrepresented Darlene Hooley's record. She
has been a champion for seniors, patients, veterans and students throughout her time in
Congress. Most shocking, however, was the attempt the paid advertisement made to appear as
part of your regular publication. Mr. Boquist insults the intelligence of your readers by
being so misleading.
Darlene Hooley has fought for the citizens of Canby and her entire district for the past
four years. She is a woman of integrity and conscience. I am glad that Darlene Hooley
represents me in Washington, D.C. I hope she will continue to do so for years to come.
Tony Crawford
Canby
Candidate is using
'dirty, evil' tactics
I would like to comment on the disgusting smear tactics currently being used by the
Republican candidate for the Fifth Congressional District, Brian Boquist.
It seems I cannot escape this man and his negative message of hateful politics. I was
disturbed by his recent insert placed in the Herald, as well as by his negative
commercials on the air.
This man keeps talking about the ugliness of politics and how he wants to move past it;
however, all I see him doing time and again is dirty, evil politics.
Perhaps this man has nothing else to offer. It seems he must believe if you have no good
deeds of your own to promote, then spend the time bashing your opponent.
I know I have made up my mind. Darlene Hooley has my vote. At least she can run a clean
and honest campaign.
Betty Engblom
Canby
Smear campaign
is appalling, hateful
I would like to comment on the disgusting smear tactics currently being employed by the
Republican candidate for the Fifth Congressional District race, Brian Boquist.
It seems I cannot escape this man and his negative message of hateful politics. I was
appalled at his recent "newspaper" insert plus the endless negative commercials
he has decided to air.
This man keeps talking about the ugliness of politics and how he wants to move past it
all; however, all I see him projecting time and time again is the evil, ugly, dirty dark
side of American politics.
Could it be that he really does not have any other message to deliver? Maybe he cannot
come up with his own rhetoric so he simply chooses to bash that of others.
This November, Darlene Hooley has my vote! At least she runs a clean, positive campaign.
What's next? Shame on Boquist!
Richard H. Meehan
Wilsonville
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