Tell us what you think

From an editor’s standpoint I am forced to ride the fence when it comes to publishing guest opinions and letters from readers supporting either side of the “aisle.” My editorials come from the heart and not necessarily from some deep-rooted political dogma.

Liberal granddaddy Bertrand Russell would argue that this stance in and of itself is liberal. We would disagree. Nobody ever appointed the newspaper as the conscience of the village. We believe the newspaper is an outlet for varied views.

So when I get complaints from the left, right and even center that the Nogales International or Weekly Bulletin are listing one way or another, I have to explain it is not intentional.

To our conservative readers’ delight, for example, one of the most consistent contributors to our opinion pages is Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz. On the other hand, I’ve received cancellation threats from advertisers and readers alike that lean to the left.

As I have told the latter, everyone is welcome to submit guest opinions and we will publish them provided they are legible, free from libelous statements, personal attacks and obscenities. The word limit for opinion pieces is 600 words, and 250 words for a letter to the editor. These will include the names of the authors who must identify the community in which they live as well as prpvide contact information for verification purposes.

I have repeatedly invited Reps. Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords from the Democrats’ side of the aisle to help provide a counterbalance. They have responded somewhat, but Kly remains more prolific with his contributions.

But the more points of view we publish, the more valuable our opinion and editorial pages are to readers. We encourage any and all commentary.

(Send guest opinions or letters to the editor to 268 W. View Point Dr., Nogales, Ariz., 85621 or manuel.coppola@nogalesinternational.com)