The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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July 29, 2007

Your View — Constituent shouldn't rely on blogs

In her Your View published in Monday’s Free Press, Dianne Schmidt called a good friend of mine a dishonest hypocrite. Schmidt has a right to her opinion. I respect that right, no matter how egregiously it may offend my neighbors and me.

In February 2006, Free Press Managing Editor Joe Spear wrote that “opinions are never wrong, just bad; facts are wrong.”

To get the facts straight, Schmidt ought to broaden her journalistic horizons to include a few more credible sources such as C-SPAN, perhaps The New York Times, maybe National Public Radio, or even Mankato’s own Free Press — rather than cite an unnamed, partisan, Republican political blog. Why not do research first?

On July 5, The Free Press reported that my friend, Congressman Tim Walz, has held countless open meetings — far more than his Republican predecessor. Those who attended know that Walz has always been honest, open and up front with this community.

A June 22 Free Press article contradicts Schmidt’s wild accusations. In “Walz releases earmarks” we learn that Walz was the only Minnesota representative to release his list of appropriation requests.

Why no Republicans?

On April 19, The Free Press reported that Walz was leading an effort to establish an independent ethics commission. Again, Walz has proved to be straightforward, honest and transparent.

Finally, in an effort to clean up that Republican mess in Washington, our congressman was recently honored by his peers and elected president of his freshman class.

Perhaps Schmidt should attend a real Walz event instead of relying on phony blog spin.

J. Scott Urban

North Mankato

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