Readers of our local newspaper, the Coronado Eagle & Journal, are treated each week to an Editorial Page featuring two types of writers, those who write commentaries and those who write letters to the editor.
The commentary writers in most instances like to weigh in on weighty subjects such as immigration, the Middle East, Syria, the pros and cons of the Obama administration, cutting or raising the military budget, etc. Even Pope Francis is fair game. J.F. Kelly and J. Greenspan come to mind as frequent contributors of commentary columns. Often their views are diametrically opposed to one another, nevertheless they give the reader some balance, and at times humor, as they state their beliefs.
Sadly, the sublime subjects of the commentators does not always register in any practical way for the local reader. Their well researched articles would be better served if they were read inside the Washington beltway, e.g. the President and his Cabinet, Congress or the Pentagon. Unfortunately the Eagle & Journal is not included in the stash of newspapers they read. (Sorry, Dean)
Thus the commentators worthy efforts to make America better never reach the people of power who can affect the changes they so earnestly seek. In the words of the poet, Thomas Gray:
“For many a flower is born to blush unseen
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.”
… from Elegy in a Country Churchyard.
On the other hand, those who write letters to the editor have a different audience – us, the townspeople of Coronado. Tip O’Neal, one of the great Speakers of the House gave us the maxim, “All politics is local.” He was so right! When one of our locals writes a letter to the editor, you can be sure it will touch us where “we live, move and have our being.” They are not advocating big changes in Washington. No, they write about the pros and cons of bike paths by the beach, additional signal lights on Third and Fourth streets to calm the traffic, golf balls from our golf course hitting tennis players, lack of parking etc. These subjects engender praise or anger on a weekly basis. The mayor and town fathers who need to feel the pulse of the community, digest these letters to better perform their duties.
My purpose is not to exalt the letter writers over the commentators. Both can open the eyes of the reader to see what is going on in the world and in our city.
A good example of their dual usefulness was in the 2004 presidential election in Florida. Up and down the State, Floridians read their local newspapers with commentators, letters to the editor and political ads extolling the merits or shortcomings of the candidates, George W. Bush and Al Gore. Informed by what they read, they voted a virtual tie. You may remember the election’s Supervisor of Voting, Teresa Lepore (no relation) and her butterfly ballots with hanging chads debacle that the Supreme Court ultimately had to settle, declaring Bush the winner in Florida and consequently, the country.
Once again, the power of the pen proved stronger than the sword, and repeats itself weekly in the Editorial Page of our Coronado Eagle & Journal. Write on!