I am dismayed at the call for Clark County Council Chair Eileen Quiring to resign her position (“Groups call for Quiring to resign,” The Columbian, June 28). The objections seem to be two-fold: for not voting with the rest of the council in a letter to Clark County Sheriff Chuck Atkins and for not being ready to acknowledge “systemic racism” in the county, particularly in government.
If she is unfit for office there is a legal, democratic process for her removal. This is by the voters in an election. It is a sad day when an individual cannot speak her conscience even if it differs from the majority. I do not know if our county and our nation is “systemically racist,” but I do know it is becoming increasingly intolerant of different points of view. One of my cousins fought with the U.S. Navy in World War II. He often said, “I may disagree 100 percent with what you say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it.” That is my definition of tolerance and what I would like to see more of in our country.
