To the Editor:
I am writing in response to Lester Hadsell’s letter to the editor, in the September 15 issue, titled “Obscenities inappropriate.” I believe that dissent and disagreement are, simultaneously, the greatest strengths and weaknesses of our democracy. So, naturally I praise Hadsell for his willingness to share his opinion and disagree with the Andrew Tibbetts.
However, I do wonder if Hadsell would have written such a letter had he not been jolted by the profanity in the article he was referring to (“Learn to deal with obscenity” in the September 1 issue of The Poly). In fact, I wonder if any common person would bother to state their thoughts if he or she was always merely content with what he or she read.
I believe profanity serves a very useful function in this democracy. It drives people to action; whether they attack or defend profanity, they are still participating in the democratic process. And, in my opinion, anything that compels people to participate in democracy is a very good thing.
Unlike Hadsell, I am proud to have The Poly print “such material” as Tibbetts’ editorial. I believe everyone deserves to be heard; even the vulgar and indecent. I am glad to see debate, disagreement, and dissent wherever I go, because those things mean that the spirit of democracy is still alive and kicking. I will conclude with this quote by Voltaire, which has much more meaning than any equivalent amount of words can convey: “I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it.”
Paul Kovalov
ENGR ’08
