LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Consideration is key

To the editor:

In response to Mr. Eric Purser (“Must Be the Season of the Snitch,” Record, July 29), first let me say welcome, and the sarcasm is duly noted. We are glad he enjoys reading the Sheriff’s Report, which can be amusing.

The issues at hand, however, are not snitching or behavior, but personal responsibility and consideration for other people, for animals and for the environment we all share. As the saying goes, if everyone did the right thing, there would be no need for laws (and hence no Sheriff’s Report).

The fiercely independent spirit that founded and built this nation nowadays often manifests itself in a misguided sense of egocentric entitlement to do whatever one wants regardless of effect or consequence. “Freedom” is often misinterpreted as the right to do whatever you want, and to hell with anyone else.

This attitude is pervasive and corrosive. There is no problem at all with anyone’s behavior as long as its results (noise, smoke, fire, toxic clouds, swerving while yakking on a cell phone, etc.) do not disturb or endanger others. This rarely is the case. While a degree of tolerance is reasonable and expected, fireworks on a hot, dry late July night are outside this envelope; watch for a log entry in the Sheriff’s Report!

Many moved here because of the relative peace and quiet and the generally considerate nature of our neighbors.

If Mr. Purser pines for a more urban and decibel-enriched environment, he should provide his address. We’ll send over a couple of cretins with big bags of bottle rockets, a nimrod or two on dirt bikes and maybe even a few bored guys with leaf blowers for good measure. We want him to feel at home.

Scott Linn

Clinton

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