LETTER: Hate was not needed in e-mail

Editor,

The recent ugly incident involving a libelous email distributed by a fellow Aggie about the alleged sexual orientation of an ASUSU candidate leaves me asking questions.

Questions such as why did the Utah Statesman in its coverage of the controversy identify the victim but not the author of the e-mail? The Associated Press and KSL Radio had the sensitivity to not disclose the identity of the victim in their coverage. They did, however, identify the author, who in his public apology included the caveat, “As for everything else in the e-mail I stand by it.” (MSNBC and the Herald Journal identified both parties).

I also question the methods of discipline considered by the university. The e-mail was an ugly, ugly incident – an embarrassment for Utah State. However, the First Amendment protects the free speech rights of everyone – including bigots and those considered politically incorrect.

Currently, the university is considering punishing the author because he violated webmail use policy through political proselytizing. But that’s not what he’s really being punished for – he’s being punished for expressing an intolerant ignorant hateful opinion.

Political e-mails are sent all the time by the political clubs and even some of next year’s ASUSU officers. If the university wants to punish the author for writing hate, they should use a rule that bans hate speech, but they should not circumvent the First Amendment and use another rule to punish an act they don’t agree with outside of the scope of the rule invoked.

A public censure of the author is in order (including his name in the Statesman). Most importantly, let’s address this ugly problem of hate. I oppose homosexual marriage and condoning that lifestyle. However, I do not understand why some think it necessary to include ignorance, hate, malice and bigotry in their opposition. Such ugliness only serves to undermine and contradict the traditional values proponents claim to uphold. Most importantly it denies the love and respect that every human deserves unconditionally.

Tom Grover