On Aug. 15, a letter from Sheila Gibbs, published in the Kennebec Journal said, “We have the most corrupt and dishonest president in the history of this country …”

Free speech is a treasured First Amendment right, but it has its limitations. We can’t yell “fire” in a crowded theater when there is no fire. We also can’t defame the character of another person with untrue statements without the possibility of civil and/or criminal legal actions.

Gibbs derogatory statement against the president is most certainly not based on fact. It is plainly defamation of character.

If Gibbs wrote, “I think Barack Obama is a lousy president,” I wouldn’t have written this letter. That would have been expressing her opinion. But her letter falsely attacked the moral character of the president. That’s plain wrong.

Chris Conway

Augusta