Letters, letters, letters

The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is noon Monday.

To the Editor:

I very much appreciate Don Robinson's column "A Good Decision on the Pledge," in which he analyzes and explains Judge Ted Goodwin's decision.

This column is written in a manner that should not upset anyone, be they religious or not.

In fact, I am surprised that people think that patriotism hinges on religious belief. As history has proven again and again, this is a very narrow-minded and dangerous assumption. There are millions of good people in our nation that do not necessarily have that "Dedication to the Almighty" that President Eisenhower proclaimed.

Thank you, Don, for a well-written and meaningful explanation of Judge Goodwin's decision.

Susie Rich

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To the Editor:

Last year my wife and I moved to Sisters and eagerly began reading The Nugget.

In a short time I was disappointed to realize that your paper, which I am sure supports diversity when it comes to racial issues, lacks any semblance of diversity in the arena of ideas from syndicated columnists.

I was encouraged though when you addressed this issue and stated that The Nugget would alternate between the left-leaning Molly Ivins and other right-leaning commentators (Marvin Olasky being the only one you ever used) to provide some balance to your opinion page.

What happened? I cannot remember the last time I saw any other syndicated columnist besides Molly Ivins on the front of the opinion page. Where are Thomas Sowell, Robert Novak, Walter Williams and the like?

I would find the opinion section much more interesting if you would allow other liberals besides Ivins to grace your pages as well. She is so tiredly predictable in her weekly mantra of Bush bashing. I am sure that Creators Syndicate carries other liberal columnists besides Molly Ivins.

The readers of The Nugget are an educated and cultured group. There is much diversity in our town when it comes to political and cultural ideas. How about reflecting some of that diversity in your newspaper?

Tom Harpham

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To the Editor:

Kudos to Jody Henderson and the Sisters High School Jazz Band for adding to the festive atmosphere of the Quilt Show with their performance at the Town Square last Saturday.

Though the band was there to help support the rebirth of the Jazz Festival in September, Jody and his students complemented this special day in Sisters with their music.

As an educator myself, I've often said that the unrecognized heroes of the teaching profession are the music teachers. This community is blessed to have a talented, spirited and dedicated professional like Jody and the results of his efforts rang out for all to appreciate Saturday.

I heard enough comments to know that visitors to our community were as impressed as I was with these young musicians.

Lois Worcester