Read it all and ponder others' views

To the Editor:

If you are a regular reader of the letters to the editor and the political cartoon, but you don't take the time to read the lead editorial or the columnists, I want to encourage you to do so. You can't claim to be politically aware if you limit your exposure to Fox News and your neighbor's opinions.

While I am a devoutly liberal Democrat, my favorite columnist is Kathleen Parker, a conservative Republican. I regularly disagree with her, but I always admire her. I respect her honesty and perceptivity.

If you enjoy the Jerry Springer television show, you will probably like Ann Coulter's ultra-conservative venom. Mona Charen is as narrow- minded as Coulter, but she lacks Ann's flamboyant gall.

I like Clarence Page and Leonard Pitts. They do their homework and present solid, liberal observations. If you harbor a hint of racism, or if you think liberalism is the opposite of pragmatism, you should read these two excellent commentators.

Ed Willis

Oraville

Bring back the telephone party line

To the Editor:

With today's economy creating a pinch in practically everyone's pocketbook, one viable option that would help many people would be to reinstate the telephone party line.

Once upon a time, party lines were extremely prevalent and were defined as phone lines shared by several subscribers, a local loop of two, four, eight or as many as 16 parties. Each household on a party line would be assigned a distinct pattern of rings, such as two longs and a short. Families would know that whenever the phone sounded this pattern, the call was for them.

Of course, just as there is proper etiquette in cell phone usage, there is specific etiquette in using the telephone in party line situations. With less disposable income available these days for an increasing numbers of American families, maybe now is the time to pull the plug on the obsolescence of such a useful instrument, permitting the option to obtain such a service if so desired.

Granted, there is no privacy on a party line as any party can pick up the phone and answer the call or listen in on it yet a sense of community was established through the use of party lines when it was available.

Although the convenience of single party lines may be desirable, a family's desperation between having no phone or a party line in an economy plunging toward a depression creates a workable option and a tad more advantageous in today's world.

Joanne Clayton

Herrin