The American Way in politics is to back your candidate or issue of choice wholeheartedly, but fairly, no lies, no slanders, and no false facts. Use facts not innuendo, not unfounded gossip, please, no character assassination! That not only unfairly and cruelly damages reputations, but also presents a rather clear picture of exactly who you are. It also reflects very badly on the causes you espouse.
Anyone who supports another candidate or is on the opposite side of an issue is not fair game. You have every right to be a partisan for your own cause, even biased, but take care you also have the responsibility to be fair, not petty, mean and slanderous. Disagreeing with someone does not make that person a bad person. If you think otherwise, then you should get a life, starting with a basic ethics course.
Some of the Letters to the Editor recently have become downright slanderous about prior city leadership.
Worse, they tend to perpetuate misconceptions and wild rumors and border on petty character assassination. Look at your own life experiences. Don’t you find that people tend to act like human beings, even those in public office or those who seek public office? While not perfect, the majority of brave citizens willing to serve in thankless leadership roles do not have a hidden agenda, they merely want to help lead the community in shaping the future of Malibu.
Go ahead, support candidates whose ideas you agree with, but do not fall into that trap of thinking the worst about “the other side” and calling them names in public. Sadly, that behavior is totally juvenile and not what we expect from adult citizens.
People of good will can still disagree, and those who hold views counter to your own are not monsters but merely other concerned citizens who support candidates and issues you do not happen to agree with. This is America. They are entitled. Lighten up!
Ray Singer