Setting the story straight.....( my letter to the editor of MCRecord refused on 7-21-13 )

I was told by Terry Lehrke of the Morrison County Record, that they wouldn't be printing the letter  to the editor(below), as it contained too much information that I had not written myself.  I know the REAL REASON WAS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT THE PUBLIC TO GET THIS INFORMATION,  (bear in mind I was illegally arrested on  June 7, 2013, for legally exercising my right to free speech within the council chambers).   A comment was posted on the commentary thread of the Morrison County Record article about my illegal arrest, that read "Why not just pull a Gordie and shoot her, worked last time" by Darwin J. Allord.....(this was in reference to the police shooting of Gordon Wheeler in the Morrison County Courthouse.)  The following letter from my attorneys, was in response to all of that.

SETTING THE STORY STRAIGHT.....

I believe it is the right time to share this letter with your readers.  This is part of what my attorneys wrote to the leaders of Little Falls, on June 27, 2013.  They write in their personal capacity, not as my attorneys.

"We sincerely believe that violence against Robin is possible, and that the City Councils failure to openly and forcefully reject the intimidation and threats, even actions in front of them in their own chamber, are partly responsible for the atmosphere.  Speaking in my private capacity-I have more than a little experience with mobs and mob mentality.  I see that beginning in Little Falls."

"To the Mayor and City Council of Little Falls, Minnesota: 

We are writing to you as citizens of the United States and human beings.
 
The subject is the spirit of civil discourse and, Robin Hensel.  By resort to non-violent speech and action, Ms. Hensel is challenging Little Falls encrusted orthodoxies and prejudices.  Ms. Hensel's political views represent a minority in Little Falls, and probably nationwide.  They may well remain so forever.  Nor do we necessarily agree with Ms. Hensel.  But as Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes taught, time has upset many fighting faiths- and experience teaches us that the best test of truth is the ability to persuade in a free marketplace of ideas.

Fear of danger alone cannot justify suppression of free speech.  At one time, men feared witches, and burned women.  Justice Louis D. Brandeis observed the paramount purpose of speech is to free men and women from the bondage of irrational or imagined fears.   Robin Hensel has acted and continues to act in the highest traditions of citizenship in a Republic, spurred by the knowledge that a people of sheep will beget a government of wolves.  She has championed what she believes are enlightened policies, and oppose those she believes are ill-conceived.   she has refrained from name-calling despite the lack of reciprocal courtesy of her opponents.  She has scrupulously honored the right of others to advocate opposing views.  She should have a "Citizen of the Year" award from Little Falls.  But instead, members of your own council have belittled Robin with names like 'retard' in Council Chambers.  Little Falls citizens then stooped to juvenile name-calling in lieu of civilized debate.  You've allowed representatives of the city to grab Ms. Hensels' sign in your Council chambers without consequences.  Ms. Hensel has received a death threat.

When you were elected, we believe you assumed a moral obligation to instruct other citizens to honor the law and express disagreement with civility by your example.  Government is the potent and omnipresent teacher.  But you have  fueled the vandalism, death threats against, and ostracism of Ms. Hensel by your behavior.  You are reaping what you have sown. 

In a Republic, the people censure the government, the government does not censure the people. 

Tyranny by the majority is still tyranny.

You should all be ashamed.

We respectfully request that you convene a public meeting to respond to this letter.  We would be eager to attend and participate."

Sincerely,  

Bruce Fein and Larry Frost LTC, Intelligence Corps, US Army (retired)

Needless to say the council never responded.