I dispute the premise(s) as stated in “Freedom without order is just chaos” as stated by Richard Elfers (Courier-Herald, Oct. 21). To denigrate freedom and conclude “any virtue becomes evil without limits” is both naive and wrong and another example of the liberal/progressive concept that controlling human virtues is the responsibility of government and that individuals need “intervention” in order to comply with government edict and benevolence.

If you look up the definition of freedom you will find the following definitions: 1. moral excellence; goodness; righteousness. 2. conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical principles; uprightness; rectitude.

How can this be construed as chaos? Only a liberal would be so arrogant to believe that these virtues have to be controlled by the government. Associating freedom with the Umpqua murders is ridiculous; this may come from the looney idea that it was the gun that killed the people, not the mentally deranged person who committed the horrendous act. We are a nation of laws and the purpose of laws is to provide a “system of rules that a particular community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and may enforce by the imposition of penalties.” Let’s not attack the positive virtues such as freedom but enforce the laws that protect citizens from aberrant behavior of those in society who would harm the freedom-seeking individuals who are exercising our rights as given to us by our Constitution (the American template and foundation for all laws). Our framers would surely cringe at the concept that freedom would be disparaged in such a manner as this editorial nonsense!

David Asplund

Enumclaw