The slam ‘fascist’ gets used too much. But in Kansas newspaper raid, the shoe fits | Opinion
The right term
The words “fascist” and “Nazi” get used a lot these days, so much so that they will soon be added to that class of meaningless tropes that do nothing to advance knowledge or understanding. Regarding the recent raid on the small-town newspaper in Marion County, Kansas, however, the term “fascist” seems to fit very well. (Aug. 17, 1A, “Warrant for newspaper raid withdrawn; devices to be returned”)
This was and is a common method of control used by authoritarian governments since the advent of the press.
After a couple of days of coverage about this case, it’s still not clear to me what the newspaper did that was so bad the authorities saw a reason to violate its First Amendment right to a free press. It appears the powers that be in Marion County just felt a need to keep news about potentially illegal activities from being brought to light.
I have taken the advice of Melinda Henneberger in the Aug. 18 Star and subscribed to the Marion County Record. (1A, “Newswoman, 98, died in the line of duty after police raid”) I urge all of you who support the free press to do the same.
- Frank Strada, Overland Park
National lens
The raid on the Marion County Record could ultimately bankrupt Marion, because big guns such as the ACLU might offer legal assistance to the newspaper for collecting damages. That may include compensation for intimidation of someone to the extent that it aided in causing death — in this case, Joan Meyer, the newspaper’s co-owner and mother of the editor.
I don’t think the police department or the judge who authorized the search warrant thought this matter through very well. Not only is Marion now on the map because of negative press coverage, but the whole world knows that someone with local political connections was or is likely driving around Marion County without a license. The reasons for the raid — supposed identity theft and “unlawful acts concerning computers” — were flimsy.
Out in the rest of America, we are saying, “Go get ‘em, editor Eric Meyer.”
- Gerald Lance Johannsen, Carlsbad, California
Jogs hallway
Whenever I read Sen. Josh Hawley’s comments on manliness, I wonder if it is the Josh Hawley who bravely raised his fist to the crowd on the other side of the fence at the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, or the Josh Hawley who ran from the crowd in terror later that day inside the Capitol when there was no fence.
- Jim Dunn, Parkville
Noise pollution
Why does everything I see on television — including news promos, documentary programs and ads for drugs or auto dealers — have loud music, noise, banging, whistling, wheezing or drumbeats that cover what is being said or promoted?
This annoying, irritating and ear-shattering practice has been going on for years, and seems completely unnecessary and adverse to listeners who are merely trying to enjoy the program they are watching.
Does anyone know what entity to contact to complain about this practice?
- Don Rinck Sr., Mission
Trump truths
But wait, there’s more about Donald Trump: Here’s a man who has been impeached twice and survived by a party line vote in both cases. He’s been indicted for upward of 90 felonies — and counting. He’s liable for 641 years in prison if convicted on all charges. (Aug. 16, 1A, “Trump indicted over attempts to overturn election in Georgia”)
And here’s the man some of you want to return to be the head of the executive branch of the government, the president of the United States? This is the branch that’s in charge of administering and enforcing the laws of the nation.
The fox guarding the hen house is only a pale and inadequate metaphor. It doesn’t begin to do the saga of Trump any justice.
The thought of this is so preposterous and unsettling that it makes moving to someplace as corrupt as Haiti sound good.
- Bob Cocetti, Raymore
