Disappointed with tone of last week’s letter
Editor, The Sun:
Re: “Democrats have historically been racist party,” Letters, March 5.
Wow, Bill. I am surprised that you published that hateful letter to the editor. Just WOW
You allowed someone to tell readers to view Democrats with suspicion and compare them to a “rabid skunk.”
Political disagreement is one thing, but openly insulting a portion of your own community is another. Don’t you have any editorial standards? Why would you allow anyone to degrade people or reduce fellow citizens to caricatures?
In a small community, a newspaper plays an important role in setting the tone for civic discussion. I would expect our local paper to encourage thoughtful dialogue, not amplify language that demeans neighbors based on their political affiliation. Many people in this community, friends, coworkers, volunteers, and family members, hold a wide range of political views. Reducing them to caricatures does nothing to unite our community and serves only to divide it.
There is “no such thing as a good skunk” when referring to Democrats is particularly troubling. Those Democrats are not strangers — they are our neighbors, the people we see in the grocery store and the people we sit beside in church.
Strong opinions are welcome, but basic editorial standards should ensure that debate remains respectful and worthy of all the readers it serves.
Readers reasonably expect their local newspaper to exercise that judgment with care.
Our community deserves better.
Name withheld by request
Editor’s Note: We don’t typically withhold names for writers of Letters to the Editor, but I made an exception for this one.
When I first read the letter in question I took its political posturing as being more tongue-in-cheek than literal and intended to provoke a laugh. I didn’t read it as urging readers to distrust their neighbors with different political views, but of a political writer speaking stridently.
Still, the criticism of me is fair.
Given how polarized our current society is, it is worth saying that everyone should be respectful of those with different views.
Missionary deserves community support
Editor, The Sun:
An open letter to Wakulla County businesses, churches and individuals:
We have a fulltime missionary in our Wakulla County Schools: Donny Bennett with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
This missionary felt lead of the Lord Jesus and gave up a very good salary with 8 years working experience in the Florida Senate so that he could become that missionary.
He is in need of monthly financial support and there are many businesses, churches and individuals who can help with that monthly need.
I pray and trust that many more of you will see and begin to help. You can donate by writing a check to Wakulla Fellowship of Christian Athletes and mail it to Donny Bennett, Suite 2889 C Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville, FL 32327, or you could drop it in the box in the door of 2889 C, or you could go online to my.fca.org and donate.
All donations are tax deductible. This ministry operates strictly by faith and our donations.
A Wakulla County Native and friend of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Donny Bennett – Janie Ruth Ward Thurmond and husband J. Harold Thurmond. (After a combined total of 55 years working in the schools, and Janie 12 years at Sopchoppy High graduating in 1952, we see that a missionary in our schools is very important).
J. Harold & Janie Thurmond
Crawfordville