Tucson Citizen 

Tucson Citizen

Since printing a letter from one of its readers advocating the killing of non-combatant Iraqis by US forces to discourage violence against our forces, the Tucson Citizen has received much criticism, both from its usual readers and in countless blogs, for printing the letter. In an editorial today, the paper agreed that it erred by printing the letter.

I think this is unfortunate. One of the advantages of a free press is that it allows the people to engage in debates about controversial issues. Although the suggestion in the original letter was reprehensible, and may have engendered fear among Muslims living in this country, the responses to the letter writer unanimously condemned him and revealed that most Americans still maintain a commitment to decency, even in harsh conditions in times of war.

It is useful to be reminded that people with views like the original letter writer, as well as people with other extreme views, live among us. We need reminders that these people are here in our communities, and that only by exposing and challenging their views can we combat them.

I would hope that most people recognize that most letters to editors that are printed do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors themselves and that printing these letters, though they may offend some readers, does not harm the community.