Thank you for your excellent editorial column in the Morning Sentinel on the Pride incident in Gardiner (“Ben Bragdon: Gardiner school officials remove Pride flag, and take sides with bullies,” June 15). Bragdon cogently identified the Republican Party’s shameful strategy of diverting attention from their true goals, which they know will not win votes, by playing on people’s fears and prejudices, and attempting to exclude and marginalize the LGBTQ+ community, African-Americans, immigrants, and those living in poverty.

Both the Democratic Party and the mainstream media need to do a much better job of calling out Republicans on their scare tactics, and educating the public as to what the right-wing agenda is really all about.

Thank you for being a voice of reason and truth, much needed in today’s political climate.

Robin Johnson

Waterville