None of those freedoms were even mentioned in the editorial. The editorial writer was obviously too intent on trying to make me look shallow, particularly in the eyes of his mostly-LDS readers. The editorial ignores any discussion of the serious issues I have raised relating to health, safety, poverty, equal rights and dignity, education about family planning and sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV and AIDS), low wages, lack of health insurance coverage, and the lack of sufficient adoptive homes for millions of orphans and foster children. Rather, the editorial simply lambastes me for wanting to get government out of our personal lives when others are not being affected (e.g. the silly ordinance forbidding dancing after 2 a.m., even in restaurants where no alcohol is served and no one is bothered by the dancing) and for seeking reform of our liquor laws so tourists are not put through the absurd membership ritual or so bartenders in restaurants can hand a drink across the bar, as in the rest of the free world, rather than having to walk it around the bar.

The editorial is a classic case of casting the argument of one's opponent in a false light, then knocking down the "straw man" thereby created. In the editorial, the writer imagines caricatures — cartoons — about me and my "freedoms." However, it is the editorial itself that is the caricature. The writer talks about dialogue and the virtues of finding common ground and consensus. Yet, that dialogue is fatally undermined by those who mischaracterize the other's position simply to be able to belittle it. And consensus and common ground is made far more difficult to achieve when the editorials of one of the state's daily newspapers attacks the person rather than honestly discussing the merits of the arguments.

Notwithstanding the venom, sarcasm, personal attacks and "straw man" arguments offered by the Deseret Morning News, I remain committed to an open, honest discussion — on the merits — regarding our state's gun laws, which seem to be obsessively concerned about the rights of gun-owners, without any concern about concomitant responsibilities. I still believe we need to clean up our air so we can prevent respiratory and cardiac diseases, as well as cancer, by evolving away from excessive automobile dependence and prohibiting smoking in indoor public places and at outdoor permitted events. I will forever champion the cause of equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation, and advocate on behalf of permanent, loving, stable homes for children who have been left behind. I will advocate on behalf of the principle that working men and women, and their families, should not live in poverty. I will always maintain that education is better, and safer, than ignorance when it comes to sex, family planning and sexually transmitted diseases. And, yes, I will continue to be unabashed in my call for reason in reforming liquor laws that do not reduce alcohol consumption, but which make us look ridiculous to those who decide to take their money elsewhere.

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Rocky Anderson is mayor of Salt Lake City