Joe Blonski, Sartell
Freedom of speech is a right that all Americans have to express their ideas (within certain defined limitations). Although I don’t agree with much of what Dennis Dalman places in his columns in the Newsleader, he certainly has a right to express his opinion. Interestingly Pastor Wright’s well-written commentary also doesn’t appear to have any problems with Dalman’s right to free speech. It is clearly the “tone” and the “temperament” of Dalman’s columns that are concerning. In Dalman’s response in the March 9 column he states “And even though you may not agree with my ‘negative’ opinion pieces, I dare you to find one negative story I have ever written about a Sartell individual or a Sartell entity.” I found one – This statement is embedded in his editor’s response where he spends a significant portion of the column attacking Wright’s comments. In Dalman’s own words “Most Republicans in Sartell are not as rabid, as vicious, as negative or as mendacious as the current crop of Republican Presidential candidates, the one’s I’ve lampooned.” Then why would he treat them that way in his columns? Simply state your views and provide the evidence to back it up and let others do the same. I thought that is what journalists pride themselves in – not name calling. You are in my prayers Dalman as I pray that God softens your hardened heart.