Hate isn’t political

Friday’s (Aug. 3, 2018) article “Republican leaders reject Allsup” completely missed reporting on the event itself and instead served as damage control for the Republican Party. The report should have focused on the vile rise of bigotry and racism and not on Republicans denying any involvement.

The media has failed to emphasize that we currently have a sitting Republican state representative in the 4th Legislative District who openly espouses many of the same views held by Mr. Allsup. When are the Republican Party officials quoted in your story going to publicly repudiate Mr. Shea for his hateful and intolerant views?

Confronting and denouncing hate has nothing to do with party politics and everything to do with building and maintaining a healthy community. It is outrageous and disturbing that a sitting state representative can hold and promote such reprehensible views and not be vigorously disavowed in the media and by the republican party.

On the same page as the Allsup article is a headline listing Shea as part of a study group. I find it disingenuous that the Republican Party distances itself from one white nationalist while conferring legitimacy on Shea. Disparaging the media, fear mongering, identifying different groups as threats and sowing distrust in the government and in one another are not the traits of a legitimate state representative. I call on the Republican Party, Republican candidates and officials to confront and denounce this hateful rhetoric now. We need a representative who will represent everyone.

Ted Cummings, Democratic candidate for state representative, 4th Legislative District

Chattaroy