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Bill Mann is one of the finest columnists anywhere in the country. He could write for any newspaper he wanted. Just because some people only want happy news in the Leader doesn’t mean we all do. I want strong investigative journalism and equally strong opinions. I am surprised that so many people are willing to live in a cocoon here when we have some really talented people to help us think through what is going on. If you don’t agree it is OK to say so but please can we put the pitchforks away as if we were some podunk place in the Midwest. Being in the same place doing the same thing for a long time is not necessarily a virtue yet some people think citing the number of years lived here gives them special cache to call out others for their views. Voltaire said that to become a patriot you must become an enemy of all mankind. That is true about people who think where and how they live is all that matters. We are in a big world and while some folks here don’t like Bill Mann speaking the truth he is a world class writer. If you can do better contact the Leader and we will see how your columns stack up against a brilliant yet down to earth writer. What are you so afraid of that you want to silence him? Change? I think the Leader is the best it has been in many years. If you want to be a patriot to the past way that existed in Port Townsend you become an enemy of change and of the improvement mankind can make right here. When you have to cite the number of years lived here to make a point or have credibility how is that different from every little town in every backward hollow in the US thinking that they are the best simply because they have been there a long time. I think we clearly need a new path to walk down if we want to live up to the image of a progressive small town that is open minded and welcoming to all. Pulling out the pitchforks to go after Bill Mann is a sign that we have lost our way and are settling for the past rather than the future we could have. I love small towns but not small minded ones. Let’s just live in the past is not the motto of an open minded town. Xenophobia comes in many flavors. I hope it doesn’t come here to stay. Keep Bill Mann writing the superb columns he gives us and keep our minds open to what he says. Oh, and have the courage to state your opinions using your own name like he does. If you are one of those who uses a phony name or anonymously puts people on blast you don’t deserve our attention because it is a cowardly thing to do.