Badly needed balance

I am a longtime reader and fan of John Brummett. I find his articles a sharp and welcome contrast to the generally pervasive pro-Republican slant of the rest of the Democrat-Gazette. However, I was disappointed by his account of the behavior of Justice Robin Wynne and his treatment of outside dark money.

The ads run against Tim Cullen were based on coincidence and innuendo. Cullen had apparently represented someone who had been charged with a heinous crime. Voters, then, were apparently to infer that he condoned or supported sex crimes against children. Although that connection is absurd, this type of advertising by PACs and Koch Brother types has become commonplace.

But if the allegations in the ads were based on something that really happened, despite the irrational inferences sought to be derived, what exactly could or should Justice Wynne have done? He may have decried the practice, but it is one that has been sanctioned by the United States Supreme Court.

I know Robin Wynne to be a fair-minded and moral person who is well-qualified to serve on the state’s highest court. He did not solicit or approve the ads. He has denied any knowledge of their source.

All branches of our state government are cascading down an extreme right-wing slope. Attacks on good people for no good reason discourage participation by those who might add some badly needed balance. GEORGE HARPER

Little Rock