Opinion Pages

Not terribly long ago, I started to read the opinion pages of the local newspaper.  Mostly, I do it for fun.  I love the letters from the wacky folks.  You know the ones; the letters that leave an image in your head of what the writer must look like?  Like this guy.  He obviously doesn't have a freaking clue of the facts concerning the men about which he writes, but that sure doesn't stop him from writing anyway.  I just see this little old guy in my head, surrounded by unruly Jack Russell terriers, knock-off Hummel figurines, and late-night advertised American flag memorabilia.  Yes, I'm probably way off in my mental vision, but it doesn't matter.  This is entertainment, nothing more, and imagination is half the fun ... harmless to him, and joyous to me.

Most of the time, I don't even notice the names of the writers, until they become serial contributers (or the very few times I've noticed Jeff writing in).  The nice thing about letters to the editor is that it isn't personal for me; it's the ideas I want to read.  Sometimes I know them, but most often I don't.  Regardless, what they have to say is all out there in public, kind of like blogging.

I'm sure I'm not the first to have noticed the parallel between those of us who throw our opinions out into the internets, and those who enjoy reading their words on page 3.  Every once in a while, I read something that brings that sharply into focus.  Today's edition brings this striking question from a person who obviously has the cred to ask it.  I love that.  It participates in the basic principle of blogging, that we are better at collecting ideas, thoughts and opinions in a wide group than we are being spoon fed simple blurbs from disparate media sources.

Just thought I'd share.

Comments

[Jaded]

I will never understand why our government insists on legeslating our private lives. As long as this is between consenting adults why should anyone care? I suport making pedophilia and child pornography inllegal. I'm all for outlawing rape and rape pornography. Anything that does not involve consenting adults, okay I see that. However if I want to go down on my boyfriend in our apartment and he's cool with that why should anyone else care?

[Mark Wilson]

I care because I'm alone in my mother's basement and W once looked in my general direction, on the TV... Anywho! Ahhh, John G. Christiansen, long have I shaken my head at his writings, for years I have read the Bozeman Chronicle's opinions... And he is one of those that I have longed to bury in my backyard, underneath some tasty tomato plants... I do love the fact that we all have our rights to say whatever we want.

[Jeff]

I love our opinion page. There's always something there that's better than anything on the comics page. Anytime Vern Smalley gets a letter printed I'm entertained for the day. I can't imagine him actually leaving his house, for fear of being aducted by the homosexual menace invading Bozeman.

[vern smalley]

I really do admire those who have the courage to publish their opinions in local newspapers. Know what I mean? I think that it's far better than web sites where the geeks hang out. No, the queers haven't dared approach me yet. A swift kick in their "family" jewels whould put an end to their sucking each other's peckers, and they'd rather suck than be a real man. Have a nice day. Oh, yes. I have another letter in to the Chronicle. Enjoy. Vern.