My associates and I were gratified to see posted on your site a series of passionate letters from supporters of Karol Madera, our fellow countryman, in the race to receive the much coveted award “Islamophobe of the year”.

We have noticed however, that these letters have recently been “de-boned”, or perhaps better, “de-fleshed” - a surgical procedure has left the shell of these communiqués intact while excising the meat in which we expected the committee could sink its teeth.

In the process of puzzling over the impetus for these changes, a number of theories were bandied about. The word censorship came up, of course, as did the stated standards of posting on your site. With regard to the latter, it was noted that the appearance of the letters in question was a bit of luck in the first instance, since they seemed to contain, initially, a great deal of what your site says it will not tolerate.

The evident lack of rhetorical skill, and the unfortunately rabid tone of these letters did not detract from their value in pointing out the clear eligibility of our man in Canada. In “cleansing” them, you have thrown out the baby with the bath water, we fear.

One wag, in what some of us might label a “conspiracy theory”, wondered out loud if there were a possibility that the award was now accompanied with a grant of some kind, in aid of research, and that you, Dr. Pipes, had some inside information on this. As the theory, goes, of course, you would then have motivation to reduce the field of contenders.

Naturally, most of us found this difficult to accept, given that the xenophobes who hand out this award seem to intend it as an indictment. Of course, on the other hand is your stated desire to take the number one spot, just for the glory apparently.

We would like to point out, in support of our favoured media personality, Captain Madera A.D.C., that there are rumours here in Canada that his military background may include connections to both Westinghouse and General Dynamics, with key members of which he is said to maintain contact. Although this may be a double-edged sword, in a sense, we are confident that you, your readers, and the committee, will see how important it is to get to the bottom of these matters and give the award to the most deserving party. May the best man win – or lose – according to his preference.