Feel free to disagree, but keep the name-calling to yourself
KAMLOOPS — One of the expected consequences of writing a political opinion piece is the inevitable name calling. Matter of fact, if I don’t get a comment or two or an email calling me an idiot or a moron, I begin to worry about having written a weak column.
It comes with the territory and is both expected and welcomed… well, at least most of the time. What I mean by welcomed is it serves to demonstrate and reaffirm the importance of opinions and dialogue.
In some cases, social media’s anonymity factor brings out the worst in people. However, for the most part, readers here seem more intent on joining in or adding to the discussion. For a minority, discussion or adding to the conversation is the furthest thing from their minds and a few choice words in the comments section seem to be enough to satisfy the freedom of expression urge.
It comes with the territory and whether you are for or against what I have written, at least you’ve read it, or enough of it, to form your own opinion. And engagement is really what a column should be about.