In response to both positive and negative feedback I have seen in My Sun Day News along with emails and texts I have received concerning my request to drop the Political Place column, I would like to make the following comments.
Del Web Sun City Operating Rules & Regulations prohibits issues regarding politics, religion, race, or individual views through communication tools of the Association. It further states that personal comments that could be construed as misleading, false, or those that defame one’s character shall not be disseminated through information in the Associations communication tools.
I’m aware that My Sun Day News is an independent publication and is not bound by association rules. But as it is for distribution solely in Sun City, I believe it is reasonable to expect that those same guidelines be adhered to. We certainly need to have opportunities for healthy, respectful communication. All too often though, what I see in the Political Place column are letters that not only state political views and opinions but go on to include their personal and sarcastic assessment of someone else’s character, and as in my case, by someone I don’t know.
I know I’m not alone in believing the Political Place column has no place in My Sun Day News.
Russell Duller
Sun City resident
Please continue the political place column. In these days of restrictions on freedom of the media we need to hear all voices bearing many points of view and a variety of perspectives. Those are foundational principles of the nation. I strongly agree with reader Judy Haggenjos: Mr. Duller can choose not to read any letters. If we lose voices in the media, we lose yet another piece of democracy!
Dan Brown
Sun City resident
I agree with Ms. Judy Haggenjos in the June 4 edition of My Sun Day News. Both Ms. Rebecca Ogan and Ms. Diana Hogue are “burying their head in the sand.”
Please continue the Political Place Column
Ronald Ghilardi
Sun City resident
I’ve been reading about the controversy regarding “Political Place.” To be honest, I have mixed feelings about it. I have written some letters myself and I’m under no delusion that I’ve changed anyone’s opinion. I also find it disconcerting to read some opposing viewpoints.
On the other hand, it is enlightening to see different opinions, especially if they are well reasoned and documented. I also think it is important to inform people of issues of which they may be unaware of, such as the administration’s cuts to cancer research just as new discoveries offer greater hope (reported by VOX).
Ultimately the choice of continuing “political place” lies with the editors and I can see reasons for either decision.
Richard J Quigley
Sun City resident
Two letters to this paper thought it best we remove Political Place. The arguments posed: that it has created discord, contains information that should be discussed elsewhere and has driven us apart.
My responses: When a printed letter contains false and or misleading information and makes illogic conclusions it is disconcerting for all of us. The reader should use Politifact to verify the claims. If they were misleading, support the other party. As for discussing political information, we have all heard not to discuss politics at family events, with our friends, neighbors and the workplace. So where do we discuss politics?
And finally, is it advisable to count on a newspaper to hold us together? Would together mean we should become subservient to the illegal and unethical practices of our current president?
The president’s average disapproval numbers (62% on him and 70% on handling inflation) supports discussing politics.
Here are some policies that have generated this level of dissatisfaction: The creation of a: 1.8 billion fund to reward Trump’s supporters including Capitol Hill rioters – His capitalizing on financial dealings netting him billions – Spending billions on ICE.
We truly have work to do to turn this government around and discussing solutions in your paper makes sense.
Roger Parlett
Sun City resident
