Editor defends right to opinion

By Francesca Lo Basso
Collegian Editor
February 14, 2007

For those of you who know me (and I apologize to those who have to hear me anyway), I have a loud Italian voice that’s impossible to curb. So it should come as no surprise that I would like to respond to an article published in Collegian entitled “Commie tree-huggers too much for some writers” (Feb. 7, p. 6).

I was referred to as one of several writers who are ensuring that students are “bludgeoned to death with the ‘Impeach Bush’ sign of the La Salle liberal voice.”

I have been writing for the Collegian for several years, and I make no effort to hide my politics; however, stating that “FOX News know[s] more subtlety” than me seems a bit hyperbolic. I don’t think anyone would disagree that Bill O’Reilly has a certain bias when reporting the news.

The author of the “Commie tree-huggers” article says that “party affiliation has no business being mentioned when you’re explaining your stance on Bush.” My only response is that in all the articles I’ve written, I’ve never supported a political party for the sake of supporting a political party. Never have I stated “I’m a Democrat” or “I’m a Socialist” and proceeded to defend an issue based on its adherence to a specific platform.

The author adds that you should “keep your party agenda to yourself,” but yet she refers to herself as a “disgruntled moderate independent.” I believe in peace, justice and tolerance, and I support anyone who truly wants to defend these issues.

I appreciate her article because I truly respect and admire the fact that we all have the opportunity and the right to express our opinions. It is to ensure that we continue to have these rights that I have taken a stance against certain politicians who I feel are threatening them. She says that I and other writers “really aren’t telling [the readers] anything at all,” but I think a passionate opinion validates itself.

There are reasons, which I have continuously expressed, why I feel so strongly about the Bush Administration and its politics. Thomas Jefferson once wrote a letter to George Washington in which he said, “No government ought to be without censor; and where the press is free, no one ever will.” I would have to agree.

lobassof1@lasalle.edu