Civility matters, even in letters to the Acorn

In response to both letters from Douglas Crocket and Scott McGregor, I am mortified at the hateful letters that the Acorn is printing these days.

The paper seems to be joining the fray of media that divides us all by printing hateful extremes. I am sure that there are thoughtful and eloquent writers in our community, and I hope we hear from them.

It turns my stomach to read such vile comments in our local paper. While both sides must be heard, crude insults are not intelligent discourse and do not seem worthy of print. Please pass on to your "higher ups" that I am most enamored of the service that a community paper like the Acorn provides both as an advertiser and a reader.

It is just that I worry about the health of our democratic process if sides are too polarized to see the points or merit in each other's arguments. We grow together from our adversities if we learn from each other.

McGregor's letter is most objectionable. A big "whatever" to his argument. Clearly there are two sides to this issue.

What I am angered about was the old "If you don't like my opinion, leave the country" attitude- - it is downright juvenile- - as well as the "crap"comment.

I was just teaching my 13yearold stepson last night about how much more effective an argument is when you don't use vulgarities or lose your cool.

Perhaps my mother says it best, "Lose your cool, lose your argument."

Crocket may be a bleeding heart and McGregor a hawk, but they are both Americans and should have the common decency to understand that simple point.

Thank you for providing this forum for the community; may it be used with maturity, intellect and wisdom. Jonathan Marder Thousand Oaks