Letter: Tolerance is missing

To the editor,

Tolerance is defined as: a fair, objective and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own.

It seems that during political campaign season we have a shortage of tolerance, or maybe it is fairness, or even consideration for others; perhaps it is just petty thievery. Last week Mr. Rother made a plea for tolerance claiming that the “elitist of academia” have preached tolerance then subvert his right to display campaign signs promoting the upcoming Constitutional Amendment to ban gay marriage. In a follow-up letter online, Mr. Kullman likewise blames progressives for intolerance because of stolen “Vote Yes” signs.

On Sunday, October 7, sometime during the daylight hours, a “Vote No” sign was stolen from my front yard and an Obama/Biden sign stolen from my neighbor’s yard. Without adding to the absurd vitriol that has replaced sensible civic discourse in the public space, I submit that these events are no less egregious than the stealing of “Vote Yes” signs. Campaign sign stealing is neither a progressive plot nor a legitimate conservative political strategy, it is the action of morally bankrupt zealots from both sides of the political spectrum — progressive and conservative. In the state of Minnesota, and probably many other states, these antics are not only unethical, they are illegal. It is theft and trespassing and reflects intolerance no matter which side of the ballot you are peering from.

Fellow Hastings citizens, create cogent arguments supporting your positions, disagree in a civil fashion and vote your conscience — but please also respect others’ rights to create arguments, disagree with your opinions and vote their conscience. Start by practicing ethical, legal citizenship, and renouncing theft so that you feel confident in displaying your political positions on signs in your own yard with the assurance that no thugs or petty criminals will steal them.

Bill Spinelli

Hastings

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