I personally know both Lisa Goyette (author of a Letter to the Editor in last week’s Lake Orion Review) and Greg Weddle (the subject of that letter).
They are both fine people who come to their position on the recently adopted LGBT rights ordinance in the Village of Lake Orion through deeply held religious beliefs and experiences with others.
What is needed now is conversation and communication – not trying to ban or censor the comments of those with whom we may disagree. I have found that I’ve often learned much by listening to others who hold a differing opinion. As St Francis of Assisi prayed: “may I seek to understand as to be understood.”
Jim Sherman, Sherman Publications and the Lake Orion Review are to be commended – not condemned – for printing both Greg Weddle’s letter and that of Lisa Goyette. Freedom of the Press is a basic right in the United States and is embodied in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
As John Adams, one of the Founding Fathers, said: “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to my death your right to say it.”
Our community and our country has much to gain by listening to others rather than trying to shut them up.
JoAnn Van Tassel
Orion Twp. resident