At least here in Lassen County we have credible news

I was deeply troubled to hear the news of the attempted assassination on Donald Trump this past weekend, and even sadder that someone lost their life over it. I am always interested in seeing what Sam Williams will have to say about such things. He has never been shy about sharing his opinion and experiences. So. I was very interested in his My Turn titled “Political violence is not the solution.”

It is no secret that I am a Republican and some of you may recognize my name from my days as a reporter for the Lassen County Times. I worked with Sam Williams for a few years, and while we share different political beliefs, he has always been extremely respectful and curious about my opinion on different political topics. Even more importantly than showing those with different political beliefs respect, he has always kept his personal beliefs out of his news stories. So perhaps it’s the troublesome news that people of my own political party have threatened this man with violence in the past that has led to me to write this.

As someone who used to be a reporter, who knows that you should always have integrity when reporting on events and the facts surrounding them, it appalls me how far our national news sources have strayed. I have seen news sources leave important details out when reporting on events as well as reporters sharing their own opinions while reporting on a topic. I think it’s things like this that lead some people to be hateful to each other, and (they) can incite violence.

Every day I open the Lassen News website and read the stories that I am thankful Sam Williams still writes. And I read his opinion pieces, too. With the newspaper having to close its doors, I am so thankful that we even have somewhere to read about what is going on in our community. And I’m thankful that Williams knows how to keep his opinions in his opinion pieces and the facts in his news stories, because not many care enough to do that anymore.

I just want to say, please keep up the good and honest work, Sam. Not all of us Republicans are out to get you, and we do appreciate the news you report on for the benefit of our community.

Ashley Sam, Susanville