This newspaper is very generous in publishing virtually all the opinion letters it receives, but I question the policy of sometimes changing the titles submitted by the letter writers.
Especially during the run-up to an election, doesn’t it pre-empt the reader’s own ability to read and think to label letters “Support for Gianforte” or “Support for Quist”? No doubt the intention is to be helpful by pointing readers to what they are interested in, but isn’t it just as likely to prevent some from reading all the letters and making up their own minds?
Last year, I think, the question arose whether our local elections should include party labels, and one reason given in favor of it came down to “If we know their party, we know what they believe in.” Isn’t that too easy? Doesn’t it undermine our responsibility as citizens to learn and think for ourselves, and to be open to change for our own sake?
Me? I support Rob Quist. Like me, he has made mistakes and admits it, and he cares about people more than about money and notches in his belt. At a time when much of our government is becoming a laughing stock in the world we once led, I respect him.
Please don’t change the title of my letter.
Mary Fahnestock-Thomas
Hamilton