I’ve lived most of a century without fear of being burned as a witch for disagreeing openly with anyone, and I’d like to keep it that way. Free speech allows us a historically rare opportunity to live fully human, responsible lives, believing what makes sense, building dreams, and acting on them. Our grandchildren should know self-expression and that precious power to choose, but their adventure won’t turn out well except in a world that desires clarity, respects sincerity and honors fact.

The lies spewing from current politicians serve one purpose: to dismantle the government that has stood against tyranny since its inception, and to grant a single person/group power entirely at odds with the power of individuals to flourish.

We don’t need to accept hate speech or spurious claims of “supremacy.” However comforting the dreamscape we’re offered these days, how seductive the blame-laying, we need to stay curious, become kinder.

Brooke Pacy
Waldoboro