All Politics Are Local

This is a letter I sent to the Editor of the Telegraph Herald here in Dubuque.  So, I decided that I should post it here too.  

Letter to the Editor

Telegraph Herald

Dubuque, Iowa

1.13.11

The recent tragedies in Tucson, AZ have forced our national community to examine many facets of our public discourse. We must examine everything from political rhetoric to gun control laws. This devastating horror may have occurred thousands of miles for our Dubuque neighborhoods, yet, the message has a very local tenor. Our local community has been fortunate not to have to endure the indescribable sorrow brought by the indefensible actions of a crazed gunman. However, our own local issues and the means by which we engage them has to be examined. 

One of the most divisive & tumultuous issues our Midwestern hamlet has had to debate recently, is one the nation has been debating for decades. The existence of a local Planned Parenthood clinic in Dubuque has brought out the passion and the fervor of our local denizens. While passionate and engaging discourse is critical to our democracy, the means by which we carry out this conversation is critical. In his speech at the Tucson Memorial, President Obama implored our national conscience to respond the better angels of our nature.  There is a great deal of intensity on both sides of this issue. One of the most important privileges living in this great nation is the right to engage is fervent debate. However, while exercising this right, we must call upon all sides to do so in a civilized manner. 

The first amendment to our grand Constitution bestows upon us the many rights that have created the greatest democracy the world has known. Sadly, some have chosen to pervert this freedom. Protesting serves a purpose. It gives the broader community a chance to see, and take in your opinions. It does not give anyone the right to harass. The Planned Parenthood clinic in Dubuque provides a multitude of medical services to their patients. A very small part of that service regimen is abortions. The dedicated protesters who have planted their roots outside the clinic since it’s inception, do not seem to understand this. They also do not seem to understand limits. Harassing patients as they enter and depart, following them down the street, taking photos of cars and their license plates. These are not the means by which we should engage. This is a tactic of fear, persecution, & intimidation. Using information gathered from their privacy-violating tactics, they send graphic & tasteless images of stillborn children on postcards. Is this really what was intended by our founders? I think not. 

The recent horrors our nation has witnessed has brought to the forefront the manner in which we engage each other. We are purported to be a civilized nation, able to engage in civilized debate to discuss the issues of our time. These tactics used by Dubuque Right To Life and other organizations must be condemned. The supporters of these organizations must be told that should these tactics continue, they will withdraw support. Our national interests are not served by fear and intimidation. There must be an outcry. There must be a civilized nature to our discourse. I call upon the Dubuque community to let these organization know we do not support these tactics. It’s time we regain a semblance of civility. This isn’t the manner a civilized community behaves.