I am indebted to and disappointed in this newspaper for one of two stellar examples of bearing false witness.

I am referring to the insinuation in a recent article that Rep. Bruce Poliquin’s late submission of taxes is somehow wrong, illegal or suspect — thus impugning his character, and all late filers with him, I suppose (“Fiscal hawk Poliquin often late on taxes,” Aug. 3).

The ad hominem attack was thinly veiled and, as I see it, just as reprehensible as Genesis Davila losing her Miss Florida USA crown due to some questionable allegations — suggestions that she broke the rules by a having a professional makeup artist do prep for the contest. This tenuous allegation (hence her lawsuit) was the basis for forfeiture of her crown.

I think that putting politically motivated attack ads on the front page itself is a problem, and I suggest that those responsible for such editorial choices make themselves a better practice of either attacking both candidates (equal time, equal exposure on the same page) standard — or, which I would prefer, simply stop politicking news, especially on the front page.

Who knows, people might find the civility startlingly refreshing. I, for one, am fed up with media-fueled mudslinging and the indecency of people being harmed by insinuation and false innuendo. It is written somewhere: you must not commit false witness. That and balance would help with the paper’s own reputation.

Samuel H. Richards

East Winthrop