Dear Editor:

Americans are faced with the paradox of dealing with enemies of an open society while maintaining those ideals that define that society. Such is the case with free speech. The success of democracy depends upon toleration of speech and opinion that may be abhorrent for others to hear. The problem comes when enemies of an open society use sophisticated propaganda techniques to undermine the foundations of our hard won American freedoms with lies, misdirection, and scapegoating.

We are facing an existential crisis posed by the success of this propaganda campaign on an uncritical and credulous population. Our rights and freedoms protected by rule of law, with equality under that law, and due process of law are under threat. Are we to tolerate ourselves out of existence?

Today it is the LGBTQ community and immigrants seeking asylum from oppression who are being targeted with this campaign of hate. It is incumbent upon us to stand up and defend their rights and freedoms, because if we tolerate the oppression of anyone, every one’s freedoms are at risk. Then those who are targeted next in a fascist campaign for dominance are those who stand up and defend the freedoms of the oppressed.

The attacks on these vulnerable populations are antithetical to our laws, traditions and the very idea of individual liberty and the justice we strive for. It is the duty of patriotic Americans to call out bigotry and hateful rhetoric when they see it. We do this not only because protecting the rights and freedoms of others is at the core of our American ideals, but also because it is a central Christian ethic. “ … Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Mathew 25:40).

We must not stand by and allow our great nation to become an instrument of oppression. The ideals of individual freedom, democratic engagement and the rule of law are ideals worth fighting for.

Fred W. Nehring

Boothbay