Maybe I missed it; I had to go out of state for a family wedding. But I had read that Sen. Mike Willette had posted multiple racist items on his Facebook page. He said he wasn’t really a racist.

Willette did step down from his committee chairmanship. I had expected that there would be some real price for him to pay. Maybe I missed it.

When fraternity members showed racist behavior, the frat was closed down. When San Francisco police posted racist texts, they were dismissed. Mike Willette pays no price?

The Senate, by not demanding Willette’s resignation, sends a message that his behavior was OK. The Sun Journal, by not demanding his resignation, sends everyone a strong message that it is not really upset by racism and hatred.

Maine deserves better. We need principled leaders. We need journalists with principles.

Francis Kieliszek, Norway