‘Intellectuals: Mute Voice’

I agree with Davis’ column. Intellectuals the world over have been repeatedly held hostage by menacing narrow-minded manipulative and self-serving forces. Just such a situation occurred with McCarthyism, as well as Nazism where those standing up to the lunacy of the accusations were themselves accused. The media, corporate advertising, and the public have been the latest victims, held hostage by a few self-serving people who feel “they” alone know how others “should” live, rather than respect our right to choose as free people in a democratic society. We’ve been fearful before, not from demons or enemies outside our borders, but by the enemies within who threaten our very constitutional rights and freedoms in the name of some self-proscribed doctrine which they try to force down the throats and on the televisions of others.

This is a country of multiple beliefs, no one outweighing any other. Our rights are guaranteed only as long as we are not afraid to openly choose, and not afraid to declare our choices without the threat of financial ruin or public castigation by a few bullies who behave no differently than did Hitler or McCarthy in order to intimidate and threaten others to achieve their own warped goals at the loss of all other human rights.

I only hope his column alerts people to the serious dangers of the present situation involving censorship through threatening advertisers. I very much appreciate your willingness to speak on this issue.

I hope that any sponsors, any program cancelled, and actors and crews involved in losing income as a result of these attempts at censorship will bring suit for damages and exert their legal rights in demanding financial damages due them. Exercising our rights is the only way to end this form of tyranny.

BETTY L. SEIDMON

Newport Beach