Hiding behind another’s name

One or two cowards are responsible for two letters to the editor in recent editions of the Ramona Sentinel. Both reflected negatively on what Ramonans refer to as the Star on the Hill or the Star of Hope.

Neither person apparently exists. Contact information sent to the newspaper, including telephone number and address, doesn’t exist. Email requests to these writers to contact the Sentinel went unanswered.

The Sentinel editor obviously became too trusting, but the recent charades have sent a message — and also a recollection of years back when a “lawyer” sent a letter. The Sentinel editor, wondering why a San Diego lawyer would submit such an opinion, called the person, only to find he didn’t exist. Later, the “lawyer” called, irate his letter was not in the newspaper. The editor recognized the “lawyer’s” voice. It was a Ramona man with a grudge against one of the town’s public agencies.

The Sentinel does not publish anonymous letters. Realizing this, some apparently take another route.

If a writer is ashamed to put his or her name on a letter, the writer either has no backbone — or fears a tirade of “if you don’t ‘go along’ or think my way, you’re not one of ‘us’ and you’ll be sorry.’” That narrow mindset exists. Those who pressure or threaten others unless they stay quiet or go along are just as despicable as the cowards who pen fake names to share an opinion with the community.

Differences of opinion are what molded this community and this country. Different ideas are always worth considering. That doesn’t always mean something will change, but it does open the door to possibly make a good idea better.

Several years ago a women submitted a letter anonymously and explained why she feared signing her name. After a conversation with the editor, she left the newspaper office with what was a letter worth sharing with the community. The editor understood her fear of reprisal and her reluctance to sign the letter. The woman returned the next morning with the letter — and her signature on it, saying, “What message am I sending my daughter if I don’t have the courage of my convictions?”

That is the kind of parent every child deserves — and the kind of neighbor every community needs.

The Sentinel’s opinion page serves as a public forum for an open exchange of ideas, beliefs and convictions. The paper prides itself in this 129-year tradition and plans to continue it — albeit more carefully.