I love Gerald and Dolores Maxey.
I’ve never met this local couple, who could probably give Hank Borgman a run for the “most letters to the editor” title. But I know they have passionate, heartfelt convictions and strong opinions about local, state and national issues. I know they aren’t afraid to express those opinions, even when other letter writers lob harsh personal criticisms their way.
I admire that. Because I think fear of what the Maxeys are now experiencing keeps most people from publicly expressing an opinion. Over the past few weeks, other letter writers have taken to personally attacking the Maxeys, even asking the newspaper to stop publishing their letters. These folks just don’t like what the Maxeys have to say, and so want them silenced.
If the Maxeys ever suggested the same steps be taken to silence their critics, I’m sure someone would accuse them of being “thin-skinned liberals.” They never have. In fact, in all the time I’ve been reading their letters, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen them write about anything except issues or public figures.
The Maxeys understand the purpose of a public forum. It’s not to tell someone they’re wrong. It’s to tell the world what you think is right.
Far too many people these days believe the way to disagree is to declare someone else incompetent, immoral, idiotic, deluded, shallow, selfish or otherwise mentally deficient. Far too many people treat public discourse like a contact sport; they take pride in throwing an elbow or bloodying a nose. You’ve seen it here – or you did, until I got tired of putting up with that kind of nonsense.
I have the power to moderate. I can stop people before they have the opportunity to hurl an insult or make a disparaging personal comment. Newspapers don’t have that luxury.
I hope the Maxeys keep writing anyway. No matter what they have to say, their letters provide a shining example of free speech, well done.
–JH-G
“The Maxeys understand the purpose of a public forum. It’s not to tell someone they’re wrong. It’s to tell the world what you think is right.”
I couldn’t agree more. People need to learn to disagree with civility.
I was floored when I saw the LtE asking that they stop publishing the Maxey’s writings. WTH? Agree or disagree, they always write thoughtfully, clearly they put great thought into what they express.
I hope the newspaper disregards the critics and continues to publish the letters they see fit.
It is a hallmark of extremists to attempt to quash anything and everything they don’t want to hear. They must believe that if opposing viewpoints are banished from public discussion, they will no longer exist.
Those who are trying to silence the Maxeys exhibit what is truly behind their efforts – fear. They fear honest and forthright discussion because then they are forced to defend their own positions – something they have great difficulty doing effectively. They would prefer that everyone just fall in line, join their raucous rabble and shout down everyone else. I cannot think of a more anti-American sentiment. These extremists aren’t patriots, as they’d like us to believe, but the opposite.
Let’s hope the O&E doesn’t cave to these folks. If they do in any way, they will have lost my readership for good.
I too am a fan of the Gerald and Dolores Maxey. The extremists harangueing against them seem to have forgotten that they too have the ability to write about the issues. The Maxeys- like Hank Borgman take the time to write to our local paper. I don’t agree with Borgman’s blathering. I prefer to shift my eyes to the writing of the Maxeys personally. Sometimes though, when I am really passionate about an issue I don’t attack Borgman nor do I offer accolades to the Maxeys. Instead I write my own letters (as does my mother as well!). I hope that the Maxeys are smiling when they read my letters too.
There is a difference of someone giving their opinion, and something “STRANGE”. To write to the News or Free Press all the time is one thing, but to be sending the exact letter out to South Lyon, Berkley, Novi, Livonia, and numerous other paper publications when you are from Farmington is a little wierd. How about TIME MAGAZINE?
Those are all former Hometown Communications (now Gannett) newspapers. As former editor with the Hometown chain, I can tell you those editors quite often look for letters of national interest when they don’t have enough local ones to fill the space. Let’s not condemn the Maxeys for something they didn’t do.