You pointedly advise your readership that the Express reserves the right to reject letters that are libelous or unseemly. That sounds pretty classy. Yet you regularly publish opinions by Mr. Murphy that are nothing more than venomous rants of an aged and obviously disgruntled former journalist.
Mr. Murphy's apparently libelous and certainly unseemly accusations and epithets ("cheapens," "dishonorable," "distorts," "shameful," "cheap lies," etc.) directed at Sen. McCain are simply over the top.
Sen. McCain is an authentic American hero and Mr. Murphy offers no proof whatsoever to the contrary. Instead, he relies solely on insults and innuendo, as bullies and rabble rousers commonly do.
How does this man's churlish display of emotion and extreme political bias inform or advance honest public discussion of relevant issues? Of course, it does not. But it certainly does highlight your publication's unfortunate political bias.
Usually name callers and bullies like Mr. Murphy do not perform well under challenge. Sen. McCain, on the other hand, has demonstrated his underlying quality in the face of extreme duress and is entitled to the respect of the nation for having done so. I am sure that Sen. McCain would not be reluctant to compare his record of service to the nation to that of Mr. Murphy.
Finally, I wonder why the Express does not apply the same standards to its opinion pieces as it does to letter writers.
Edwin C. Thomas
Sun Valley
