Regarding traffic, letters

Dear editor:

In response to Shirley Ross’s letter in the July 17 issue, I totally agree with her on the matter of speed on the King Expressway. Sometimes I catch myself going 70, but even then vehicles pass me at speeds that must be 80-plus.

And the matter of so many in this city area not giving a turn signal has been a major complaint of mine for years. It seems to get worse. And many who do give a signal, give it just before turning right or left. One wonders how so many passed a driving test. Or is it just that they don’t mind if a rear-end accident occurs. If the driver behind one so careless even touches a bumper, then the fault lies with him/her for following too closely, but who wants to be involved in an unnecessary accident where there might be personal injuries as well as vehicle damage?

On the other matter of Ms. Ross’s letter, I may be one of those frequent writers she is referring to. I should like to remind her, however, that I do not write “every day,” but usually write when some event inspires me to respond or when I agree or disagree strongly with another writer. Again, I would not want to accuse others of writing “crap,” as Ms. Ross charges, even though some who write frequently I totally disagree with.

Our paper should be congratulated on being so open to so many varied points of view. My personal view of “letters to the editor” columns is that they should be about political and social issues, and issues concerning the operation of one’s city, like the letters recently about some of our street problems or the new proposal of downtown that will definitely remove a number of parking spaces, though perhaps encouraging others to utilize the downtown shops more.

I strongly believe that such “letters” columns are the not appropriate places for arguing religious theology. To defend one’s right of religious expression, or to argue a point about a major change in some religious body, is one thing, but to try to convert one to a particular religious point of view through the “letters” columns seems to me not the appropriate place.

Several writers recently have expressed disdain of some who write frequently. I applaud the paper for allowing that freedom, one of those freedoms our ancestors fought and died for, though I might totally disagree with certain points of view. If there are facts used to support a view of an issue, I am more prone to read and consider that view more thoroughly.

Thank you, Ms. Ross, for your brief and pungent questions that I hope many have read.