DEAR EDITOR:

In a season when disagreement is in hyperdrive and civil discourse at a premium, it comes as no surprise that the line between fact and belief becomes easily blurred. That there exists an entire section of the newspaper where we are able to air our widely differing personal views recognizes this reality and allows for plenty of latitude because everyone understands opinions often move beyond what is actually taking place in favor of how you and I feel about it.

With that said, I take exception with the cartoon that appeared on the Opinion page of the Oct. 9 edition of The Vindicator and Tribune Chronicle. It pictured an individual, mobile phone in hand, standing outside a destroyed dwelling in the wake of a natural disaster. We are led to believe that having contacted the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the victim of the storm will receive nothing of worth despite the obvious need. In other words, “Don’t even bother contacting us because the government is not going to be of any help whatsoever.”

My point is that in this case, the facts say otherwise. Even as we are hearing (and will continue to hear) one false statement after another regarding FEMA’s response to countless Americans in need, governors and other officials in hard-hit states have consistently offered thanks and praise for the rapid arrival of much-needed assistance. When accurate information is of absolute necessity and many are likely to panic without it, the truth about help and where to get it is paramount, no matter what one’s opinion may be of the administration that provides it.

No doubt in the coming weeks there will be plenty of rough weather to endure, literally and metaphorically. In such stormy times, we owe it to one another to be careful about how we express personal considerations so the truth can be heard above and beyond the political thunder.

JOHN POLANSKI

Mineral Ridge