The Sun Journal ran an article from the Bangor Daily News on Aug. 9 describing an ACLU lawsuit against Governor Paul LePage. The ACLU is asking the federal court to declare LePage’s censorship of comments on his Facebook page unconstitutional and to prevent him from blocking individuals from posting on this public forum, which he bills as his “official page.”

As I read, I found myself admiring the ACLU’s foresight in bringing such suits, as Facebook and other social media gain market share in how we all get our news and information. As a member of the newsprint generation, I know I might not have recognized the gravity and power of this burgeoning censorship on social media, and I was grateful that the ACLU was on the case.

Then I came to the final paragraph, which begins: “Facebook censorship has recently become a pet issue for the ACLU.” An “issue of concern,” certainly. A “high priority” issue, perhaps. But a “pet” issue? Why the need for this dismissive, belittling language?

I hope both the Sun Journal and the Bangor Daily News can do better in the future.

Seri Lowell, Buckfield