Letter: Publishing letter was irresponsible

Your publication of Gilbert Schramm’s “Gaza: the death of an American airman” (April 10 Opinion page) was irresponsible on two counts.

First, to publish Gilbert Schramm’s encouragement, his celebration of suicide for political purposes is far, far worse than thoughtless. From a mental-health perspective, it’s flat out dangerous. More immediately, what’s next for your newspaper? Will you take to publishing the “last testaments” and portraits of Hamas suicide bombers?

Second, Gilbert Schramm’s piece was so full of propaganda, so lacking in any sort of historical perspective or background information that countering the errors and omissions would take more space than this sort of letter is allowed. One of his more glaring errors is that “almost everyone has acknowledged” that Hamas’s Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel was “truly appalling.” This is simply blindingly wrong. That act of cynical barbarism was celebrated in more places at home and around the world than one would have expected, including in the hallowed halls of Congress and on many, many university campuses.

In passing, I have to wonder where all the self-righteous handwringing about innocent life was when it was Hamas rockets that were raining down on Israel.

As for the Lincoln County Leader, I understand that you want to take your paper in a brave, new progressive direction, however, I would suggest that you do your homework before you go too much farther down that road.

Jim Wilson

Newport