Inexcusable

Several years ago, while working as an editor at another paper, I came across a letter published on the op-ed page that advocated hatred toward gays and lesbians and blamed them for the downfall of society. It was an especially appalling letter, and it had no business being in a newspaper.

I fired off a letter to the publisher that, in essence, said I would resign rather than work at a publication that promoted hatred toward a particularly vulnerable group. Everyone, I noted, was entitled to their opinion, even uninformed bigots. That did not, however, mean we had to print it.

The publisher apologized. Never again did I read such hateful trash published by a reputable newspaper company.

Until now.

Every day, newspaper Web sites, in an otherwise laudable attempt at increasing readership, encourage folks to comment on a particular story. Some sites, such as the New York Times', diligently monitor the posts, often before they are allowed to be published. But too many sites are operated by people who feel that comments should flow freely. Why, they argue, should we censor hatred as though it doesn't exist? If a post is untenably inflammatory, readers can punch a button reporting the comment. A monitor, often someone doing several other jobs simultaneously, might find the time to strike it.

That simply won't do. Why? Because comments laced with invective against particular groups can lead to unspeakable horror. Or have we already forgotten about the Holocaust?

Today, The San Diego Union-Tribune's site posted an Associated Press story about Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor and her infamous "wise Latina" speeches. The floodgates were opened for all the racists in the world. Read for yourself:

Why do Latinas not Mexicans women peake at 15 years of age. After 18 they gey wore out.

or...

Wise Latina. What an oxymoron.

and...

how presumptive to assume that latinas are wise?

Nothing I say or do will keep these morons from being their bigoted selves. But we don't owe anyone the courtesy of spreading their ignorance. Fact is, it is irresponsible to publish such comments. And shame on those who allow this hatred be spread.