Letters to the Editor

Like most daily newspapers, the Journal has an op-ed page. The editor regularly writes his opinion about local concerns and beyond. There is a political cartoon each day. They reprint editorials from other papers about current events.

And then there are the letters from readers. Sometimes it is obvious that people have lifted material from their favorite political website, putting the party line into their letter. Other times it is pretty much a rant, complete with name-calling, non-sequitors, straw-man attacks, and fallacies. But mostly, it is nothing but assertions--no logic, no argument, no evidence--on all sides.

Proverbs 26:4-5 advises, "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes."

So, should I write replies and ask the editor to print them? Or, should I privately weep and pray? On the purely political issues I have no inclination or temptation to respond, but occasionally there are moral and philosophical foundations involved. Can pigs be persuaded to wear necklaces?