We are more than halfway through 2021, and with major changes related to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, quarantines, industries in economic flux, millions still unemployed, growing inflation, the lack of affordable housing, a federal eviction moratorium soon to end, questions about what to do from Capitol Hill to Sedona City Hall to our own living rooms, there are plenty of issues to address.
After nearly 20 years of war in central Asia, we are pulling out of Afghanistan and the exit has been anything but smooth. Then again, the purpose of our involvement has been fuzzy since 2011. If you served in the military, with a nongovernmental organization or agency in that region over the last two decades, what are your thoughts?
Was the war a wasted exercise in imperial hubris, or despite the last few weeks, did we do more good than harm in a region that’s been perpetually unstable since the 1973 coup d’état deposed King Mohammed Zahir Shah?
That’s just the big stuff. There are scores of local issues affecting our towns, cities and counties. We and other readers want to hear from each other about local opinions on all these topics. We run letters from all sides of the political spectrum and letters that disagree with my editorials, other letters or public officials’ statements.
The rules for our letters are relatively simple:
■ Letters discussing a local issue or addressing a national issue in a local context take priority over letters solely addressing national issues.
■ Letters must be 300 words or less. Our word limit is a strict one. If letters are slightly over, we’ll cut them to fit, but if letters are more than 350 words, we’ll ask the authors to cut them and resubmit. Authors should determine which points they want to make rather than have us guess.
If you have a lot to say, break it up and send letters addressing different topics.
■ Letters must include the author’s name, street address and phone number, in case we have a question and to properly include the author’s name and hometown at the end of the letter. Without this information, the letter won’t be published.
■ No personal attacks. You can address previous letters, but direct your commentary on the content of the letter; do not attack the author nor private persons.
■ Elected officials have less protection from criticism of their actions because of their status as “public figures.” While government employees can be “private citizens” when off-duty, elected officials are never so. Elected officials are always “public figures” whether on the dais, speaking at a podium, at a grocery store, promoting themselves on Facebook or when standing on the corner.
When people criticize “the mayor” or “school board president” for his or her actions, they are criticizing “the chair” not “the person.” That said, remember that ranting against a politician doesn’t win readers to your side of an argument like a logical analysis about his or her behavior does.
■ If you spend the time writing to us, have the courage to put your name, address, phone number and email address on the letter so we can contact you if we have questions or need clarification.
No anonymous letters have been nor ever will be published in our newspaper. We don’t read them, so don’t bother.
■ Guest perspectives are reserved for elected officials and experts in the field the letter covers. Guest perspectives are also reserved for people representing a government agency or organization making an official statement.
■ Letters citing facts must have supporting documents. Yes, we check. If you include statistics, attach the document or website link to it so we can double check your numbers. Likewise, if you quote someone or a document, include the email, website screenshot or website link so we can verify the quote you include. If you already found it, you can help us and streamline the fact-checking process.
Letters stating just opinions with no numbers, however, don’t need any documents.
If you make a seemingly wild claim, include a link to the news story. “I heard at the grocery store … ” or “I read on Twitter …” is more rumor than fact. If it’s true, you can prove it.
■ You can drop letters off at the newsroom or email them to editor@larsonnewspapers.com.
Christopher Fox Graham
Managing Editor
