Michael Lauck’s Jan. 30 column “Obama shouldn’t shut out dissenters” is another example of the persecution complex that seems to drive modern American conservatism. The article characterized Obama’s remark as a warning to Republican congressional leaders not to listen to Rush Limbaugh, “or else.” There is no “or else” implied by the president’s words. That Mr. Lauck and others have managed to twist this into a threat against open political discourse speaks only to the bitterness and desperation of conservatives, whose ideals have been rejected by the American people and, accordingly, by the new administration. Freedom of the press does not mean freedom from criticism, or the guarantee of an audience.

Jarrod Greene is a junior radio-TV-film major from Fort Worth.