In his letter to the editor, Albert R. Grandmaison openly makes unsubstantiated accusations against gay people and states “this feeds my hate” (Nov.20). This is blatant hate speech.

Some may argue that Mr. Grandmaison is merely voicing his right of free speech. He has no such right. Neither Mr. Grandmaison nor any other American has a right to public hate speech. It is not protected by the United States Constitution.

We wonder, though, given this newspaper’s presumed goal of bettering the community, what community good the editor felt would be accomplished by this letter’s publication.

Had the writer said he found Judaism “gross,” or that he hated Somalis or French people, would the letter have been printed? We think not. Yet this venom passed muster with the editors. How? Why was it acceptable to hurt and falsely accuse one segment of the population?

Surely the issue of gay rights is a sensitive one. The nation’s views are changing dramatically and painfully as we question the fairness and legality of past beliefs and prejudices. Many people are struggling to understand what is the right thing to do. The editor should have exercised wiser control here because neither the public exchange of ideas nor our community is improved with tabloid malignity.

Journalistic integrity and social conscience are critically important when an area has only one major newspaper. Hate speech is not a Constitutionally protected right, and it should not be. Apparently, this newspaper felt otherwise. We hope to see better editorial judgment in the future.

Lew Alessio and James Shaffer, Greene

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