Dear George,

I fail to see how building a monument to (and medium for the exercise of) freedom of speech in an area in which this constitutional right does not happen to be particularly under attack can be looked down upon as an "exercise in self-congratulation." Certainly it might stir things up a bit more if such a monument were erected in an area in which free speech was less respected, for example Washington, D.C., but in such an area it would also be much more difficult to get such a project approved, let alone sustain its continued existence against the inevitable political objections it would generate. I see absolutely nothing wrong with constructing this monument as a way to continue to improve an already fine and free community.

I would also like to respond to the assumption by Terri DiCintio that the chalkboard will be an "eyesore," filled with meaningless ramblings and profanity. Ms. DiCintio, do you actually live in Charlottesville, and if so, why do you have such a low estimation of your fellow citizens' ability to express themselves? And had it occured to you that this chalkboard will be easily erasable, so that anyone, including yourself if you happen to be in the area, will be free at any time to wipe away anything you may judge as meaningless or profane? This is not a graffiti wall, it is a chalkboard, and as such its contents will be constantly varying and completely impermanent. You speak of "so many more effective ways to spend money to promote and ensure free speech - not to mention many other causes" yet in true non-constructive-critic tradition, are not able to name a single one. Shame on you.

Brendan Ferreri-Hanberry (electronic mail, May 24, 2005)