It must be election season because a vast majority of people seem to think that many of us suspend the First Amendment of the Constitution during this time. 

            Let me remind you: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

            The Town and Country newspaper does not suspend the First Amendment during election season – or at any time.

            Although, we did put the Letters to the Editor on "time-out" for three weeks during the last presidential election due to letters threatening the newspaper's business and more.

            And, I am prepared to do it again if the current threats don't stop.  I can't believe people would threaten, with harm, anyone just because they chose to respect the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.  In this case it isn't about whether I agree or disagree, it's about allowing others to share their opinion in the Letters to the Editor section.  In a way they are implying that the sender doesn't have a right to express their opinion and the newspaper is culpable if it allowed that opinion to be shared.

            Call it Marxism, Communism, Fascism, or whatever you want, but it is certainly not Democracy in action.  As a member of the Fourth Estate, we still believe and honor the First Amendment – whether the editor agrees with the opinion or not.

            And, let me remind you again: according to Merriam-Webster an opinion is a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter.  In a Letter to the Editor, it is the opinion of the sender.

            When asked, many of our complainers admit that they have never read the Constitution of the United States and were only "somewhat" familiar with the First Amendment.  Good grief, it's only 45 words. James Madison, considered the lead author of that Amendment, would be disappointed.

            So, please try to act like an adult when penning a Letter to the Editor.

            Because "here we go again" will become "not again" quickly.