With Joe Rogan and Spotify, why can’t we just let free speech be the end of the story?

By The Star-Telegram

February 8, 2022 5:00 AM

Spotify should let Joe Rogan spread COVID-19 misinformation and use racial slurs, writes this reader. Gregory Payan AP

Let Joe Rogan be Joe Rogan

Artists are boycotting Spotify because they don’t agree with Joe Rogan. (Feb. 7, 4A, “Spotify removes 70 episodes of Rogan podcast”) They should get over themselves. We will always know people we disagree with on any number of subjects, but we all have the right to our own opinions and, as of today, the freedom to speak them.

- Sandra Lewis, Joshua

It has to start somewhere

Reading the op-ed “Neil Young can’t get Spotify to end COVID misinformation,” (Feb. 5, 6A) I’m reminded of the story about a boy on the beach.

The boy was walking with his father and many starfish had washed up on the beach. As the boy came to each one, he picked it up and threw it back into the sea. The father said, “There are so many, you can’t save them all. What you are doing doesn’t matter.” The boy threw back another starfish and said: “It matters to that one.”

Neil Young has made a principled stand. It may not end COVID-19 misinformation, but it matters.

- Bob Scott, Colleyville

Ads scapegoat a ridiculous target

Here we go again. Republicans running for offices from governor on down have found that running on the issues of border security and illegal immigration will bring them votes, even though the undocumented commit far fewer crimes than U.S. citizens.

Talk about the real issues that affect our economy and the solutions. It is almost hilarious looking at political ads trying to scare the voters about border security and protecting us from supposed criminals crossing the border. I hope the American voter is smarter than that.

- Manny Sanchez, Fort Worth

Hurrah: Trump is the GOP future

The Star-Telegram’s editorial about Republicans moving away from Donald Trump is disturbing. (Feb. 3, 9A, “Texas GOP leaders must move away from Trump’s poisonous ideas on election, pardons”) It does not take into account the destructive nature of the Democratic Party.

You wrote that Trump’s actions undermined our institutions. He was using all the tools provided in the Constitution to counter a perceived unfair election. I believe there was foul play in the election and, if proved, I can only hope the findings are made public. The sooner the better.

President Joe Biden has made life unbearable and much more expensive. Have you considered writing what 70% of the world knows, that Biden needs to go?

Trump is still the future of the Republican Party, whether he is in the White House or encouraging others.

- John Boyd, Fort Worth

Editor’s note: There is no proof of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. There have been no allegations of significant irregularities in any national race other than that for president.

Truth that needed to be said plainly

Thank you to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Editorial Board for the editorial on Texas GOP leaders and Donald Trump. Those in power are more concerned with getting reelected than doing what is in the best interest of the people of Texas.

- Jo Pirtle, Forest Hill

Trump was better than Biden

President Joe Biden proudly showed off a chart showing job losses under Donald Trump and mighty job growth under Biden. A fairer comparison would be job growth before the coronavirus lockdowns, which cost millions of jobs. Biden became president as the country reopened. The country still hasn’t reached the employment levels seen under Trump’s best periods, especially among Black and Hispanic people.

- Charles Andrews, Fort Worth

This story was originally published February 8, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "With Joe Rogan and Spotify, why can’t we just let free speech be the end of the story?."