Messenger attacked

From Paul Kane, White Lake Township:

Dear Hannah (Provence Donigan) from Commerce. It appears that you and I have developed quite a relationship over the past 20 months. You aimed your first “attack the messenger” and “silence the opposition” Mail Bag letter at me back in Februrary of (2010), comparing me to Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter and Bill O’Reilly. I assure you that, since then, I have worn that accusation with honor.

Your recent attempt (“Mail Bag concerns,” Oct. 12, 2011) to show your contempt toward my beliefs by attacking the Spinal Column (Newsweekly) for publishing letters such as mine (“Atlas shrugged,” Oct. 5, 2011) was clearly another “attack the messenger” message. However, I’m certain that the Spinal Column is accustomed to that type of victimization since they are, by definition, a messenger and people who are unable to argue the facts so often resort to the “attack the messenger” type of behavior.

I am somewhat dismayed to think that you were a teacher of impressionable teenagers.

Once upon a time, I was elected to student government in one of our lakes area high schools and that same year received a singular, newly-created award for “Personal Growth.” To this day, I somehow feel a responsibility to my former “constituents,” I appreciate the real thinking skills that I’ve acquired, and I’m very grateful to be a conservative, freedom-loving American.

I found our letters from 20 months ago. You suggested that we build bridges instead of walls. I don’t believe that “attack the messenger” and “silence the opposition” builds bridges. In this case, it displays hypocrisy.

I look forward to a time when you will explain your real views. After all, you were an English teacher. I humbly request that instead of resorting to back-handed methods that you explain what it is about my conservative, freedom-loving American message that so irritates you.

I am also quite grateful to the Spinal Column for allowing both you and me to voice our opinions. Isn’t this American free speech stuff really cool?

Another thing that comforts me is knowing that teenagers are experts at identifying hypocrites.

And by the way, the length of “Blue laws are ‘crap’” (Oct. 5, 2011) by Harold Rosengreen of Commerce made the punch line all that more delightful. o