Editor,

This is in reply to David Coleman’s letter in the Aug. 27 edition of the Whidbey News-Times.

I am sorry that Mr. Coleman feels only he is a qualified judge on what the public should write in their letters to the editor.

I became an American citizen 52 years ago next month. One thing I learned in my studies for that great day was, as an American citizen, I had a right to think and voice my opinion on any subject. And for the past 52 years, I have exercised those rights.

For five years, I lived under Nazi occupation, where no one was permitted to express their opinion.

Not a good five years.

If I like or dislike something, I feel it is my right to express my thoughts. I do not feel I should think by someone else’s standards. If I do not like something that is going on in Washington, D.C., or any other place, I will comment on it.

But, if Mr. Coleman feels that I, and others, should comment only on what he thinks is proper for Oak Harbor or Whidbey Island, then please publish his telephone number so I may call and get his clearance on a subject before I write a letter to the editor or any other method of communication.

I do not wish to violate proper standards established by others.

Marit J. Brown

Oak Harbor