Republicans generally believe in and support the First Amendment. Selective rights appear in the view of a few small minded members of the Ravalli County Republican Central Committee, who strenuously objected when two members of that organization spoke with local press. When did that become a crime in this country?
At a recent Central Committee meeting, the intent by that small segment of the committee was to publicly pillory and chastise those two members, and demand an apology from them for speaking with local news reporters. It did not happen.
That attempt failed, like Ray Charles at an eye test.
The accused did not attend the meeting but sent a written statement which was read to the assembly.
Following that, nearly an hour of vitriol against the accused poured forth from some individuals, interspersed with an occasional prayer and numerous quotes of scripture.
Nothing of substance occurred during the entire meeting of nearly two hours.
The RCRCC is divided, as some few members continue to cause dissension and draw criticism, as evidenced by the action of the Treasurer debacle and the legal defeat of an incumbent Ravalli County State Senator which precipitated the Closed Primary lawsuit. They continue, however, to point to the total sweep by Republicans in the November elections as justification for their actions.
It is evident that a few malcontents have taken over the control of a worthy political organization and made themselves the ones needing to apologize for their biased interpretation of the First Amendment.
Dave Hurtt
Florence