I am responding to the article about Middlebury Mead Chapel.
It is clear why the college chose to remove the Mead name. The statements made by Mead are morally disgusting.
What is not clear is why ex-governor Douglas has decided to intervene. This is the United States and we all have the right to freedom of speech. As did Mead in his day. And Douglas now. But Douglas does not have the right to infringe on the right of the college to determine its own decisions.
What seems lost these days is the concept of “rights” connected to responsibilities. Of course you may say anything you want, but you need to accept the consequences for what you say and accept the responsibility for how what you say impacts those around you.
And one last thought: I think it is disgraceful that one argument to leave the name on the building is because of the amount of money the Mead family donated. Middlebury College has a right to remove the name on moral grounds. Morals can not be sold and should be protected.
Marilyn Trapeni
Middletown Springs