HomeMy WebLinkAbout20201119_S Schumacher CensorshipFrom:Stephen Schumacher
To:Board of Health
Cc:heidi4commissioner@gmail.com
Subject:Censorship is "offensive" too
Date:Wednesday, November 18, 2020 11:49:37 PM
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Dear Jefferson County Board of Health,
Monday morning Nov.16 the Leader accepted my paid ad presentinginformation similar to my concurrent public comment to the Board ofHealth titled "Data concerns about lockdown justifications".
Two hours later, the Leader informed me they were pulling my adbecause they received calls from readers saying my previousadvertisement was "offensive".
Today's Leader quoted Health Department board member and CountyCommissioner Kate Dean saying "she hopes the community can resist thespread of untrue rhetoric", calling it "offensive".
I'm asking you point blank: Have members of the Board of Health beencontacting newspapers to suppress publication of free speech criticalof government policies?
However well-meaning, any such efforts at prior restraint verge onunconstitutional state censorship and need to be recognized as such,repented, and discontinued.
The issues involved are vital - that makes free speech moreimportant, not less. You do not have a monopoly on the truth orexpertise or "desire to save the most lives". Science is not about"trust in public health experts" but the scientific method, whichinvolves rigorous skepticism, testing assumptions, and following thetruth wherever it leads.
Yours truly,Stephen Schumacher2023 E. Sims Way #200Port Townsend, WA 98368