‘Vindictive’ views are un-American

I disagree with Mike Der Manouel Sr.’s anti-Constitutional letter (April 20) arguing for arbitrarily removing the rights of an accused person based on his dislike of the crime the accused is alleged to have committed.

Fortunately for America, our founders designed a system of governance that defends the rights of disliked and maligned minorities, and even accused criminals against the outrage of powerful majorities. The founders understood very well, that the majority today could be the maligned minority tomorrow.

They wisely attached our inalienable rights to the fact of our humanity, saying specifically in the 5th and 14th Amendments, that no person in America can be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process.

There have been many attempts to weaken this fundamental principle over the 241-year history of our country. Some of these attempts succeeded, but none survived the test of time. I may not agree with Mr. Der Manouel’s position. It seems short sighted, vindictive and anti-American.

However, I am grateful to our founders every day that I live in a country where he has the right to express his opinions without fear of being treated inhumanely because of that opinion. That’s what makes America great.

This story was originally published April 24, 2017 at 11:35 AM with the headline "‘Vindictive’ views are un-American."