Steve Bentler shows a fine mastery of the non sequitur argument in his defense of Joe Wilson’s outburst during the recent presidential address – so smooth I had to reflect for a moment to realize the logical error. Whatever missteps or outrages Mr. Bentler feels President Obama has committed matter not a whit to the question at hand – Representative Wilson was out of order shouting from the gallery during the address. He apologized after, was censured, no penalty was

assessed and the matter is over. Anything said or done by anyone else is immaterial although deserving of another conversation.

Of course, we live in a relatively free country. Rep. Wilson is free to call the president a liar, a muslim, and an illegal alien if he so chooses. I believe he’s done all of these; freedom of speech includes the freedom to say stupid things, even untrue things. We stand secure in the belief that in a free debate of ideas truth will emerge. That

freedom is only restricted by rules designed to allow the debate to move forward; these include basic ideas like taking turns, playing fair – things any kindergartner knows. Keeping schoolyard rules in mind will be far more productive as we discuss the important issues facing us. Fixing health care, the economy, business ethics and our declining stature in the world will be tough enough if we pay attention, stick to a single issue during discussion and fight fair amongst ourselves. When all is said and done we are all Americans, or we are no longer the greatest country on earth.

Randy Grein, Bellevue