Don’t be frightened by last-minute tactics

I read with interest Loras Weber's Feb. 12 letter on the absence of opposition letters to the upcoming LOST vote. While it is noteworthy that little negative opinion has surfaced on this issue, I feel that it does not reflect any attempt to “silence the opposition.” My suspicion is that those opposing the initiative are employing their own stealth attack.

Recent Cedar Rapids election history has shown that one way to influence the outcome is to wait until very late and then unleash a flood of scare tactics and outright lies, too late for the other side to effectively respond.

This approach runs counter to the whole principle of reasoned public debate. It tends to work, however. I don't care which way you intend to vote, but if you are contacted just before an election in this way by either side, vote the opposite way. Turn back this kind of last-second back stabbing; the best way to do it is to prove that such tactics don't work here.

Stuart Hartlep

Cedar Rapids