In Dont weaken presss check on government [Opinion, Aug. 9], the Press-Enterprise sounds a clarion call for all who support freedom of the press as a constitutional check on government to push back against U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions threat to make it easier to subpoena reporters.

Freedom of the press can trace its roots to the 1735 trial of newspaper publisher John Peter Zenger. Zengers New-York Weekly Journal published articles critical of New York Colonys Royal Gov. William S. Cosby, accusing him of tyranny, abusing peoples rights and removing a judge who ruled against him in a lawsuit. Under British law, criticism of the government even if true was illegal. Despite the fact that Zengers statements were true, he was arrested for seditious libel.

At trial, Zengers attorney, Andrew Hamilton, attacked the British law arguing that people had the right to speak the truth. The jury agreed and Zenger was found innocent. Zengers case provided the foundation for our right to freedom of speech and its expression in many forms.

The freedom to criticize the government has a glorious tradition in this nation.

And it compels each citizen to stand vigilant in defense of our constitutional right to exercise that freedom. Those calling for government censorship of the media, those who threaten reporters/journalists with subpoenas and possible arrest, and those who would withhold the truth about government activities from the people are reminiscent of behaviors found in totalitarian regimes rather than democratic republics.

When asked to share his view on the importance of freedom of the press, Zenger remarked, No nation ancient or modern ever lost the liberty of freely speaking, writing, or publishing their sentiments but forthwith lost their liberty in general and became slaves.

Robert Eilek, Temecula

High tolls will create congestion

Re: As Inland toll lanes boom, why are new freeway lanes rarely free? [News, Aug. 15]: Martin Wachs on the toll lanes: It can always reduce congestion because you can raise the price higher and higher until some people choose not to use it.

In other words, you can increase congestion in the free lanes until the price people are willing to pay for the toll lanes impacts your income stream.

Greg Bice, Corona

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Letters: A clarion call for free speech - Press-Enterprise