RE: March 26 editorial, "Before threats become deeds":

First and foremost, no one ever should condone violence, no matter which side you stand on an issue. But it is interesting, while reading this editorial, how powerful words and actions can be used to incite violence. For example, in this piece, words such as "enraged" and "overreaction" are used when the word frustrated would have been less abrasive, and in my mind more, descriptive of the people opposed to a bill passed through backroom deals and arm twisting. If this was such a wonderful bill why wouldn't they have been eager to vote for it without being prodded like cattle?

Actions, however, speak louder than words. After passing a bill that the majority of the people of this country did not support, the "spectacle" (your description) was when the Speaker and some of the Representatives paraded (my description) through the crowd with a large gavel to our Capital. When was the last time there was such a display of arrogance?

It is our right as citizens to assemble. It is our right as citizens to free speech. This is our country and we have the responsibility to make known to our representatives how we want them to govern. It is the responsibility of our representatives, from the White House to Congress to treat us with respect, listen to our opinions and not shove our face into the dirt as if to say: Shut up, we know best.

We all need to make sure that civility is used and violence condemned when expressing our opinions, whether as an Editorial writer or an ordinary citizen.

~Karen Malch
Newbury Park