The Jan. 5 Free Lance editorial
”
Time for a fresh start in San Benito,
”
is very disappointing.
Dear Editor,
The Jan. 5 Free Lance editorial “Time for a fresh start in San Benito,” is very disappointing.
My disappointment with the article is not if De La Cruz is guilty or not but the acceptance by the editorial writer to minimize the crime of a candidate and/or elected official accused of breaking the law.
The editorial made it sound like De La Cruz is facing jail time solely because he signed a piece of paper stating he gathered three signatures in the March campaign that he did not collect and further saying, “hardly major voter fraud.” One can only surmise why the editorial writer omitted what the Free Lance reported the previous day, “he (De La Cruz) is facing several felony and misdemeanor charges for election fraud.”
When reading between the lines, it seems the editorial writer is trying to form public opinion to be sympathetic by redefining the charges to give an accused law breaker a pass.
Regardless how severe or trivial the offense is, breaking the law is breaking the law. What message is this editorial sending to our school children that attend council and board meetings as part of their studies? It’s OK to have a law breaker sit on a governing board to make rules, regulations and laws for everyone to obey but themselves?
And more important, what does this editorial say to the number of new immigrants now residing in our fine county and law abiding citizens of our community? It’s OK to break the law?
While the First Amendment allows freedom of the press, it’s my opinion part of this editorial is harmful and irresponsible journalism.
Paul Grannis, Hollister
