Dear Readers:

As my last decision as Forum editor, I have chosen not to run the final “Our View.” At this point, printing a piece by the editorial board that complains about the cold weather and block funding seems trite.

I have been completely disillusioned. I’ve lost faith in things I took for granted being an American citizen.

I can’t muster up the words to write a quirky final column as I had planned. I feel as though my lips have been sewn shut.

I have been silenced.

Steve Schirra

Forum Editor