You’re free to speak your mind, my friend — not

ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.

Writing editorials has been a fundamental process for me in my many years as a community journalist. I have regarded expressing an editorial opinion as an essential feature of what we used to know as newspapers.

But through the years there have been many readers who don’t like editorials one bit if the opinion doesn’t match up with theirs. I have come to be believe that most folks only like what the editor has to say when they agree.

To be sure, there is a tiny minority who say they will disagree, “but defend to the death your right to say it.” I feel too often those days are gone.

Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of the argument that this a free country, but many incidences prove this freedom is revered and given lip service, but rarely practiced.

One of the worst examples was with NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who expressed his opinion about police treatment of people of color by quietly taking a knee during the playing of the National Anthem before football games. He was not arrested by the government, but instead faced the wrath of so many people who speak so often about our freedoms. And he lost his job.

An old friend many years ago told me, “In this country, you’re only free to agree.”

I have expected debate and disagreements every time I dare to write an editorial. Some of those who take umbrage call me a “POS” and even suggest I should be banned from the public arena.

In the United States, you won’t get arrested for expressing an unpopular view, but as John Kay of Steppenwolf maintained in 1967, if you speak your mind, you could lose your job, your friends and even your standing in the community.

Furthermore, there are too many who don’t seem to understand the difference between an “article” and an “editorial.” They have told me they didn’t like the editorial because it was “biased.” Editorials, as opposed to articles, are indeed expressions of opinion and therefore biased.

But the latest challenge I’ve been facing involves endorsing or being critical about candidates for political office just before elections. I’ve even been asked not to say nice things about candidates I support because doing automatically prompts a large group of readers to vote opposite.

This past year, I have been asked by “friends” not to endorse a certain candidate because it’s like a “kiss of death.” It’s as though some readers use the logic, “If Young likes this guy (or woman), I’m voting against him. If Young doesn’t like him (or her), I’ll vote for him (or her).”

I didn’t understand until this past year that I had any impact at all. Editorials are simply what newspapers do.

So in 2024, I have opted out of endorsing or dissing candidates. I have a nasty habit of refusing the march in lockstep with the majority of voters in these parts.

And just remember, “No matter who you vote for, the government always gets in.” — Neil Innes of the Bonzo Dog Band