Commentator’s political attacks cross the line
If you read Bret Kofford’s April 25 column, you’ll know that he went after conservative political commentator Sean Hannity. However, instead of entering into a reasoned discussion supported by rational arguments and sound conclusions, Mr. Kofford unleashed a quite vicious ad hominem attack against Hannity, calling him “not very bright,” a “slow learner,” “mentally challenged,” “lack[ing] intellect,” “lack[ing] intelligence” and “dumb.”
I cannot imagine that Mr. Kofford’s column caused the management of this newspaper to swell with pride in their editorial page that day. To the contrary, any decent person would have felt sullied after having read Mr. Kofford’s column. And a columnist whose aim was to shed light, not disseminate hate, would not have written it. Leaving the right-hand column blank on April 25 would have been an improvement over what was actually there.
Newer readers of this newspaper should be made aware that Mr. Kofford once wrote a column in which he excoriated certain politicians for calling people ugly names and expressed horror that anyone would make fun of someone else’s weight problem. However, Mr. Kofford’s hypocrisy was exposed when it came to light that in a significant number of columns he himself had called people “rabid,” “lunatics,” “rat bastard,” “sociopath,” “babbling buffoons,” “narcissist,” “jelly belly,” “fat fellow” and “pudgy,” and that on one occasion he made fun of a person’s speech defect. Sadly, it appears that ad hominem attacks have been, and still are, this commentator’s go-to staple.
This newspaper gives Mr. Kofford an inestimable privilege. On a weekly basis, he has the opportunity to create for his readers thoughtful and interesting columns. He often accomplishes that when he addresses non-political matters. However, when the subject turns to politics, it seems he loses self-control, and serves up the kind of hate and hypocrisy which I have described.
When addressing political matters in the future, I hope Mr. Kofford will moderate his tone, and set forth reasoned ideas, rather than direct odium towards those who disagree with him. The newspaper’s readers deserve better from him.
Neil Gerber El Centro