In recent years, many writers have used this wonderful forum, letters to the editor, as their private vent.
In a robotlike fashion, they have displayed anger, hate by way of innuendoes, insults and convenient and simplistic vagaries. The massage takes precedence over the message.
Kudos to the letter writer who wrote "Hawaii would reap benefits from Romney presidency" (Letters, Oct. 17). She witnessed the presidential debate and precisely extracted seven points that Mitt Romney made.
The point of my letter is not to query - although tempting - the promises, accuracy and omissions of the letter writer.
The Oct. 17 letter is a fine model of how a letter to the editor can advance specifics (exchange of views/dialogue) and make a point without resorting to angry and divisive tactics. Many of the men (monologue experts intended in developing the wishbone rather than the backbone) and some women who write to this column regularly, regardless of whether or not they agree with the writer's politics, could greatly benefit from her example.
The trade winds brought us a touch of class. Refreshing.
Alain Mei
Kihei
