LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Fighting toxicity starts here

In the April 30 editorial in The Carillion (“Canadian politics in throes of furious fever”), an anonymous author from the Free Press makes an argument for Canadians to “push back against this rising tide of toxicity” and that “it’s time to lower the temperature, before real words lead to tragic actions”. I wholeheartedly agree: there is no place in our society for political violence. However, I would also argue that the editor and news staff of The Carillon should look inward concerning this issue.

For example, what purports to be a “sports” column (“As I See It”) seems often to be a hate-filled, weekly diatribe against the President of the United States. Usually, the column has loose connections to some sports story, only to spiral into derogatory statements, falsehoods, and general name calling. Is it possible that the words of the columnist are spurring some unhinged individual to commit political violence?

I don’t intend any toxicity in saying this (nor any disrespect to The Carillon and its columnists), but perhaps pushing back against the “rising tide of toxicity” in Canada should include the offices of The Carillon? A sports column that focuses on actual sports stories would be a welcome first step.