From Shakespeare’s day of Romeo and Juliet and his “What’s in a name? that which we call a rose … By any other name would smell as sweet,” to today’s third day in space 70 years ago, when the crew of Apollo 13, Commander James A. Lovell said the ever-remembered words … “Ah, Houston, we’ve had a problem here.
Well, here at Saugeen Times we have both … Shakespeare’s everlasting words and those of Commander Lovell – “We have a problem here”. The reason?
We recently published a Letter to the Editor about what may have been, or is not, a contentious issue. (To read the letter, click on the highlighted link) Today, words still have an impact and, to this letter, we have had many responses … both positive and negative.
We know that our names are an incredibly important part of our identity. They carry deep personal, cultural, familial, and historical connections. They also give us a sense of who we are, the communities in which we belong, and our place in the world.
It is our normal practice at Saugeen Times and our affiliates to not print a Letter to the Editor without a signature however … in certain, very few circumstances, we have made exceptions to protect not only the writer for possible safety reasons but also for those writers who refer to those whom they value as friends and who may feel hurt by their words. (It’s definitely a judgement call)
The recent letter (highlighted above) was simply signed, Suzanne M., although we know the writer. We have since received a response from Suzanne McKinnon of Port Elgin that she has been, unfortunately, been receiving negative responses. We want to ensure readers that the original letter signed by Suzanne M. is not a ‘Mc’ or a ‘Mac’ in any way shape or form.
Regardless however, we find it disappointing that there are those who would respond in such a negative way to an issue that is concerning the entire community.
For those who may not have agreed with the letter but, to attack who you ‘thought’ was the author and with whom you may have disagreed, is a slight on the voice of freedom. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
This is why … we strive to be the voice of the community.
Sandy Lindsay
Editor
