Letter from John Webb

Taking Sternberg Op-ed To Task

In “The Partial Observer” of the October 16 edition of “The Freeman’s Journal,” I was alarmed and saddened to read Dr. Richard Sternberg’s characterization of Charlie Kirk as “…a clearly beloved and respected political figure…” [whose] “assassination was indeed a loss for members of both sides of the political spectrum.” This about the man who stated that gay people should be stoned to death, that vaccine requirements are “medical apartheid,” that religious freedom should be terminated, that gun deaths are acceptable in order to have a 2nd Amendment, that women’s natural place is under their husband’s control, that George Floyd had it coming, and that the 1964 Civil Rights Act was a “huge mistake.”

Dr. Sternberg is, of course, entitled to his opinions and can write whatever he wants. However, as a member of the gay community whose death Charlie Kirk advocated and whose rights he believed should be denied, along with the rights of many other groups, I cannot help but now look upon Dr. Sternberg with suspicion, uncertainty and distrust about where he truly stands on some seriously pressing human issues. It’s all the more upsetting, because his comment about Charlie Kirk was totally unnecessary in the context of his column, and his choice to include it clearly makes the credibility of his criticism of Wriley Nelson dubious at best.

John Webb
Cooperstown