To the editor:

As they say, “there are two sides to every story.” What we now get for news, commentary, opinion, letter to editors etc. usually reflects the bias of the writer. 

So, I am writing in response to a letter in the June 22 edition of The Portsmouth Times by Will Newman. Specifically, about his choice of words, “More recently, especially by the GOP, the main focus has shifted to political opponents as enemies, often irredeemable ones, and to whole groups as ant-American.” I do agree in general with the statement, but not with the “especially by the GOP.” 

Let us not forget that half the voters in our country were considered “deplorables” by a Democrat presidential candidate. And now, if you disagree with liberal Democrat policies, you are a “MAGA Republican” (must somehow be derogatory, as it has ties to Trump and “deplorables”), white (some people think just being white you’re “bad”), white supremacist, bigot, racist, Uncle Tom, homophobe, transphobe, etc. 

Many of these characterizations are being led by none other than our “Divider-in-Chief” Joe Biden. Most of these characterizations are referring to more than half the population of our country.

Joseph J. Barek, Jr.

155 Watson Drive

Portsmouth