A reasonable request

I have been truly inspired by the heartfelt letter sent by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to American President George W. Bush. How much better the world would be if just a handful of people realized we all need to get along and reached out in an honest effort to build bridges of trust and hope.

So I have composed my own letter. For the sake of Fort Wayne's future, I hope its recipient takes it more seriously than George took Mahmoud's.

To: Tracy Warner, Journal Gazette editorial page editor

From: Leo Morris, News-Sentinel editorial page editor

My esteemed colleague across the hall: It surely has occurred to you, as it has to me, that the increasing number of Fort Wayne residents who have moved here from one-newspaper towns must be confused, even distressed, by the contentious, argumentative nature of the editorial-page experience here. People turn to us for solutions and guidance, and what do they find? One answer on the JG editorial page, and a completely different one on the N-S editorial page. We can only imagine how long such people have been thinking, "How can we justify the undeniable contradiction that exists here in Fort Wayne?"

You will agree, I am sure, that correct dissemination of information and honest reporting are essential to our mission. The good people of Fort Wayne cannot be sure they are getting that if they come to our editorial pages and see that two operations, observing exactly the same set of facts, come to opposite conclusions. Our readers need guidance, instruction and leadership, not posturing and turf defending.

I believe we can get to where we need to be, if you can bring yourself to look beyond the prejudices and preconceptions that too many of your political ilk bring to the discussion. I hasten to point out that I am trying to be helpful, not judgmental. I recognize that it is possible you are so used to being an apologist for liars and knaves that you do not understand how detrimental this is to the common good.

First, I would ask that you apologize for all the times you have disagreed with me, against all reason, logic and objective evidence. And, don't worry -- it is not necessary for you to spend long hours and sleepless nights trying to discover in which instances you might have transgressed. I will be more than happy to give you a detailed list of all the editorials in which you have been tragically wrong.

Second, I hope you are mature enough to realize that the major reason there are an unfortunate "two sides" to every question is that there are usually "two groups," each advocating one side or the other. Obviously, if we eliminate one group, we eliminate one side, and harmony will be achieved. The most efficient course would be to eliminate the weakest group, which in Allen County would be the Democrats. You have more influence than you realize with those unfortunates. A word or two from you in the right ears will help ease them out of the picture, without the necessity for more drastic action that some, even you, might find somewhat distasteful.

Finally, I appeal to your sense of the greater good. Even if you think you are "right" on some of the issues, even if you sincerely believe you are reaching some people who might "agree" with you, Fort Wayne can no longer afford to be held back by disagreement, argument and dissension. We must get together and move on in unity and harmony. History will record the abject failure of the world view you have mistakenly dedicated your life to. Don't be on the wrong side of history.