Our Columnist & The Court of Public Opinion

You might have read Judge Latwin’s Tuesday column Holding Court: Can Aliens Vote?, detailing a legal history citizenship and the right to vote. We are fortunate to have Judge Latwin penning for us since his retirement from the Rye City Court in 2022, but two of our readers took us to the court of public opinion this week saying the column was “super offensive” and a forum to “spew hatred”. We simply disagree. Please re-read the column.

One of the two readers posted in a closed Moms group on Facebook, making various conclusions and encouraging others to join in. The irony of this being posted on Facebook (where anyone can say almost anything, facts be damned), and in a forum where we cannot directly respond, is not lost on us. Apparently the group moderator closed discussion after comments continued to devolve. This poster has run for public office.

The second reader sent an email that included the quotes above. Here it is in full:

“Honestly Jay, the Judge’s column today is super offensive. Allowing this former Judge a forum from which to spew hatred is not OK. As a kid who was teased by other kids with this sort of thing 50 years ago, I can’t believe this kind of “joking” is acceptable to you. I’d be happy to tell you exactly how painful this othering of our neighbors is to their kids and grandkids. I’m appalled that you are comfortable allowing the use of this type of language about our fellow Rye residents. It’s disgusting. It was disgusting 50 years ago. And it’s heartbreaking to think of this still happening here and now. 

I really hope you will stop to consider how much words like this can hurt. “You aren’t from here. You aren’t like us.” And by extension, “you aren’t even human, you’re an alien” is not the kind of discourse our community should be subjected to. Even when authority figures pass their words off as a joke.

You have editorial discretion, I hope you will use it in the future to bring us together instead of tearing us apart.”

Again, please re-read the column.

From Judge Latwin, after sharing these reader comments with him:

“Title 8 of the U.S.Code, entitled “Aliens and Nationality”, in §1101(a)(3) defines “The term “alien” means any person not a citizen or national of the United States.”

I just used the proper legal term as set forth in federal law.

Webster dictionary defines “alien” as “a foreign-born resident who has not been naturalized and is still a subject or citizen of a foreign country”

So, I was consistent with both law and language. I guess trying to limit free speech is more American than law and language. I’m sorry she is offended by the law and our language, in addition to our principles.”

And from the vantage point of MyRye.com, it is upsetting for us, and our columnist, to be subject to an unwarranted and misguided attack. It misrepresents what Judge Latwin said in his column. And by the way, a columnist is entitled to present his or her view. A reader does not have to agree. In fact, that is the point. This is also very different from our editorial writing, where we work to present a balanced accounting of the news (and we think we do a good job of this).

And if you are upset by any larger debate in our country, go do something about it. Read our Giving Rye series from the end of last year where we profiled 40 local nonprofits that work on bringing people together and solving problems.

But please don’t start a fire here, where there isn’t one.

We would rather be spending our time writing about Hamish Fenton Day, the proposed development along Beaver Swamp Brook or the season outlooks for our spring sports teams. Thanks for reading and being part of the MyRye.com community.