Letter: Public debate is American way

Monday, July 26, 2004 | 8:55 a.m.

Republicans can't bear to hear other people's opinions, yet they wave their flags and pretend to be patriotic. A classic example was Linda Ronstadt's recent concert at the Aladdin, where Republicans booed, stomped out, vandalized casino property and demanded their money back, hoping to penalize and silence Ronstadt's simple statement of support for Michael Moore and his movie "Fahrenheit 9/11."

What is wrong with these people? The Republicans control the White House, Congress, the Supreme Court and much of the news media, yet they're still not satisfied. Now they're going ballistic because Moore had the audacity to make an independent movie with a different viewpoint. Millions of Americans are paying to see the movie and applauding afterward.

If President Bush's record can't stand up to Moore's scrutiny and criticism, maybe the Republicans need to reconsider their support for Bush. Public debate is supposed to be the American way. Censorship is not.

REBECCA KATERS Green Bay, Wis.