Re: Politicians’ beliefs all over the map, Letters, May 13, 2011.
Sadly, the Goldstream News Gazette continues to subject its readers to the offensive rantings of Saanich resident Keith Sketchley.
Sketchley’s most recent submission insults the collective intelligence of Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca voters — in the aftermath of the federal election — by claiming that we do not “understand freedom” and that we are “(unwilling) to support (the) development of sound candidates.” What utter nonsense.
Furthermore, he specifically accuses Colwood Mayor Dave Saunders of “(lacking) a sound belief system for human life.”
This, too, is absolutely ridiculous — not to mention incredibly insulting.
Given Sketchley’s extensive history of submitting his sophomoric musings to local and regional media — in particular Black Press publications, and specifically the Goldstream News Gazette — I recently took the time to Google “Keith Sketchley, Saanich.” The results were astounding.
Sketchley clearly considers himself an authority on a diverse variety of topics, pontificating ad nauseum on subjects including the E&N railway, lazy jaywalkers, irresponsible cyclists, the “glorification of mob mentality,” “free lunches,” federal, provincial and municipal politics, politicians and governance, aviation technology, Internet pricing, foraging deer and dead whales — and that is just a sampling.
A hallmark of a Sketchley letter are the rude, personal attacks he directs to those who do not share his right-wing view of the world. Believe it or not, accusing Saunders of being ‘against human life’ is not a first, in fact, it is a Sketchley catch phrase.
Likewise, those who support social justice, according to Sketchley, are “neo Marxists” or “anarcho-Marxists.” Others who offend his right-wing sensibilities have been described as “conniving,” “incompetent,” “junior jackboots,” etcetera.
As a former Goldstream News Gazette editor, I fully respect the notion that all readers are entitled to their views and, within reason, their publication.
That said, editors reserve the right to reject letters that are offensive, insulting and engage in personal attacks.
All of us, as a community of individuals, are morally obligated to stand up to bullies with a view to marginalizing — if not eliminating — their appalling and unacceptable behaviour.
On that basis, any future letters submitted by Sketchley to the Goldstream News Gazette should be sent straight to “trash.”
Jeff Morrow
Langford