Editor,

I am responding to William Walker’s March 26 opinion piece, “Take a Breath: Common threads connect us” because he mentions me: I’m the one who he says called him a “Republican PR man” – actually, I called him “Tim’s PR man.”

When it comes to civility, facts and details matter: In my July 27 letter (and also on Facebook) I shared some of the “real” Tim Hazelo with Mr. Walker: In his speech to an October 2023 “freedom rally” Hazelo said: “Trump was that exterminator …. He threw smoke bombs in the dark places …. forcing the vermin out. Picture this: mutants rats, seven-headed dragons, communists and socialists …. breeding lies and deceit.”

This is just a taste of Tim’s version of civility (and reality), where Tim is making things “great” just like his superhero, Donald Trump. There are, however, significant differences between them. Trump actually won two elections (and tried to steal a third), whereas Hazelo has failed at least twice as a candidate.

Also, Tim (U.S Navy, retired) actually served our nation, whereas Trump was too busy being a rich frat boy to care much about serving anyone but himself.

I shared other facts about the Real Tim Hazelo and I invited Mr. Walker to talk with me, where we could both stop being “keyboard warriors” and instead engage in civil discourse. Walker’s “civil” response: He ignored me and blocked me on Facebook (oh my)!

In the spirit of civility – which Mr. Walker says he believes in – I’m extending my invite again. I’m even willing to drive up from South Whidbey – where Hazelo says us Dems are turning his rural island into San Francisco (my hometown)!

I even come with great references. Last October, GOP state representative candidate Gary Wray (who’s also on the board of “Civility First”) called me and we had a long, polite discussion. Gary ended by saying he thought I was intelligent and civil, though initially he “perceived me as a troll.”

Willian and I have much in common. He’s written four unpublished novels; I have concepts and plans for five world-class symphonies and a cure for Trump Derangement Syndrome. I just haven’t composed them … yet!

William Walker and I need to meet, in person, and put civility first.

David Freed

Clinton