Letters to the Editor Limiting conversation is detrimental
There is an ongoing effort to shut down political debate in Washougal. It appears coordinated and includes verbal complaints at council meetings and workshops, comments on local blogs, and letters to “The Columbian” and the “Camas-Washougal Post Record.”
Unfortunately, the intent of these efforts appears not to be to further political dialogue that will produce sound municipal policies. Rather, these efforts appear intended to limit the conversation.
Recent letters to the editor and comments at city council meetings and workshops have been primarily personal attacks on council members rather than reasoned considerations of the issues facing the city. Few facts are presented.
It is one thing to disagree on the issues, but quite another to stoop to personal attacks. The former aids the dialogue. The latter hinders it.
The way to combat such tactics is to provide fact-based, timely, and persuasive information on the issues. Such arguments merit consideration. Personal attacks do not.
