To the Editor:

My very favorite part of this newspaper is the opinion page, particularly, the letters from past and present residents to the editor. To say that most of these letters represent a conservative view would be an understatement. Often when reading the opinions of frequent writers, I get the idea that it would be very unlikely for any of them to express a progressive or new thought.

Imagine my complete delight in reading Tom Skien’s wonderful letter of last week. No matter that I don’t agree with every aspect he wrote of (I find Islam intolerant of other religions and abusive to women). What does matter is that he had the courage to express a fair-minded idea with such power and eloquence. (That idea being an America free of racism, sexism and religious prejudice.) I’ve been reading the Blue Mountain Eagle for over 50 years and Tom’s letter may just be the very best I have ever seen on the opinion page.

I wish I could run to the top of Strawberry Mountain and shout to the region, “See, as long as one of us is able to have a new idea, there is hope for us all.”

Terry Steele

Ritter