The World Book Dictionary contains a Sicilian-derived word (or you can Google it) to characterize MaineToday Media’s studied editorial policy of neither criticizing anything about Democrats (especially the Obama administration) or same-sex marriage nor publishing anything positive about Republicans or Christianity: omerta.

Example: When constitutional lawyer President Obama bypassed Congress June 15 with an executive order reducing the likelihood of deportation for certain illegal aliens, one of your reporters wrote a glowing account about this announcement’s impact (“‘What Obama said he will do is huge,’” June 16).

He conspicuously failed to mention that Obama had said on national television last September that he lacked the constitutional authority to take that action. But now, nine months later, he suddenly and inexplicably discovered the power to do what was previously impossible — another “evolution.”

Both the president and your reporter were dishonest for not disclosing the relevant circumstances that led to this controversial order. Without the full story, the public cannot make an informed judgment about whether the president’s decision was principled or, more likely, election-year pandering.

It’s ironic that in your June 19 editorial (“Full marriage question should go to voters”), you criticized Maine Secretary of State Charlie Summers for his improper “editing” of the same-sex ballot question. I suggest that you read the first two sentences of your editorial. You also acknowledge that incomplete information “opens the door to dishonest and misleading debate.”

When I censored sailors’ mail in World War II, it was to keep the enemy from knowing our intentions. What purpose does censorship now serve in a free and open society? “Spinning” the news is one thing; omitting important chunks of the news is another.

By the way, where’s the coverage about the ongoing investigations into the administration’s leaking of national security information and the Fast and Furious operation? Of course, there’s always lower fruit for Bill Nemitz to pick from the LePage administration.

Walter J. Eno is a resident of Scarborough.

 

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