Opinions, they say, are like belly buttons. Everyone has one, but that doesn’t mean they’re useful, and they don’t all look the same.
We’ve heard from a few people lately who are unhappy with The SUN’s letters to the editor, primarily because the majority of the letters don’t align with their personal beliefs or politics.
While we occasionally hear from people unhappy with an aspect of The SUN’s contents they don’t agree with, reactions to the letters to the editor have picked up pace lately, just like reactions to national happenings are increasing in the letters.
To those who have reached out: We’re sorry you’re unhappy with what you’re seeing, and we thank you for your input.
But, don’t stop at being unhappy, telling us about it and deciding you may not pick up another copy of The SUN.
If you’re unhappy with it, help change it. Send us a letter with your point of view; add your thoughts and experiences to the conversation. We’ve all lived through different experiences, and have somewhat different knowledge bases and skills. That’s not a weakness; that’s a strength.
The SUN values and welcomes diversity of opinion and aims to provide an open forum for discussion of issues that are important to those in our community and who care about our community.
We don’t need to be mad that others have different opinions than us, and we don’t need to stick our heads in the sand or our fingers in our ears to avoid hearing them. Instead, we should be willing to understand how others feel. We might learn something, or we might just agree to disagree but have a little more understanding about how they feel.
If you decide to share a letter to the editor, be sure to follow a few guidelines so that we can print it:
Letters must be 500 words or fewer. Everyone is held to the same standard.
Your letter must include your actual first and last name. No anonymous letters will be accepted.
Submit your letter with your phone number and your address. While we won’t print this information, it allows for verification and a way to contact you if we have a question.
Letters must be submitted by noon on Tuesday for that Thursday’s issue of The SUN. Letters should be sent to editor@pagosasun.com or submitted via www.PagosaSUN.com. When emailing letters, please make the subject line “letter to the editor” to ensure we don’t lose it among the seemingly endless spam and other emails we get. Please submit it in a format that can be copied and pasted.
Letters are limited to two per month per letter writer. If necessary, only one letter pertaining to a candidate or political issue will be printed in each edition up to three weeks prior to the election.
Letters quoting other people must contain proper attribution.
Letters in the form of poetry will not be accepted.
Letters that are libelous or in poor taste, or that attack a private citizen or business, will not be published.
Also, as a reminder, there is no guarantee letters will be published. The SUN generally does not edit letters, but reserves the right to do so.
Randi Pierce
