Publisher's Point: "Just the facts, please!"

Jonathan Vickery

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Everyone is welcome to their opinion, that’s what makes our country so great.

Columnist Andy Brack is obviously a Democrat and in last week’s People-Sentinel, blames the Republicans for the government shutdown. Well, Democrats passed the same Continuing Resolution back in March of this year, but the Democratic senators blocked its passage in October.

The Democrats demand that Obama Care government health subsidies, that were increased during COVID and set to expire at the end of 2025, continue at COVID levels for years to come. Well COVID is over so these funds should go back to pre-COVID spending levels. But the Democrats were digging their heels in on that, all in the name of "affordable health care," set to cost the government billions/trillions of taxpayer dollars over the long run.

As of this writing, looks like the government shutdown will be ending.

There are always two sides to every issue.

Greg Walkup,

Williston

“Just the facts, please!”

That’s a motto journalists strive to live by. News stories should be factual, fair and unbiased. While we have opinions, just as every human, they have no place in a news story. 

The one exception is the Opinion page. This page includes columns, letters to the editor, and cartoons that are submitted by readers, columnists, public officials, lawmakers, and others. 

The only item on an Opinion page that is written by the newspaper staff is an editorial, which is an opinion piece typically written to promote a certain stance on an issue. This includes encouraging voters to exercise their right to vote, voicing our stance on a community issue, encouraging elected officials to take action on a topic, etc. 

While some newspapers have shifted away from an Opinion page, The People-Sentinel continues to publish one as a way to hear a variety of opinions on local, statewide and national topics that impact our community.  

Does this mean we agree with those opinions? No, certainly not. But we do believe in the value of free speech. 

In a contributed column titled “Stop weaponizing hunger, federal workers to score points” published in last week’s paper, Andy Brack, a contributing statewide columnist who does not work for this newspaper, blamed Republicans for the government shutdown. 

This hit a nerve with some readers, sparking a barrage of online comments and emails. I even heard from a family member. You can read the email we received from a local resident on this page.

The main point of the feedback received was that there should be voices from both sides. I couldn’t agree more. The Opinion page often features voices on various sides, including Republicans and Democrats. U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson often writes a column that is published in this newspaper. Local residents have written letters about political and other topics, representing different sides. 

Even last week’s Opinion page featured a letter to the editor from a local resident who thanked President Donald Trump for his response to issues at the post office issue. 

The People-Sentinel welcomes the community to write letters to the editor. Years ago, the newspaper was filled with such letters. Sadly, it seems this is an opportunity that many people don’t take anymore. More often than not, what once was found on the Opinion pages of a newspaper is now posted on social media. 

However, I hope that changes. It’s important to hear from all sides of our community. If you’d like to submit a letter to the editor, please email jvickery@thepeoplesentinel.com or stop by the office. 

After all, opinion pieces are meant to evoke thought and lead to deeper discussion on the issues. Ultimately, that leads to a richer, more productive society.