George,

I was dismayed that the Daily Progress decided to print an advertisement October 25th that says that homosexuality is a "detestable act".

The word "detest" means "to abhor or hate". Check another dictionary and detest means "to feel intense and often violent antipathy toward". These words are pretty much the definition of hate. Add the word "warning", and it’s practically threatening.

Is it OK for the Daily Progress to be printing hateful and threatening language directed at a minority group? Is it good enough to say that the ad was paid for and therefore it is OK to disseminate such language into the community?

The only slippery slope we really need to concern ourselves with is the tone with which we address our fellow community members. No one should be addressed as "gross", “wicked", "disgusting", "detestable" - no matter what their walk in life.

It is distressing to know that the Daily Progress would allow such language. There seems to be something lost when the editors and writers at the Daily Progress work diligently to craft the language and tone in their stories and yet allow any person with money to print whatever they might put in an advertisement. Is the price of an advertisement worth the damage such language inflicts to members of the community? I hope in the future it is not.

Wendy Repass (electronic mail, November 1, 2004)