I AM DELIGHTED at the variety of different political columnists expressing themselves, with humor or quite serious points of view, in our community newspaper, the Rome News-Tribune.

Of course, Saturday and Sunday are the premier days for such high feelings, and both of these days make us feel as if we were behaving as impassioned American citizens, as if laying claim to our birthright. It is particularly on those days, but not denying the editorial columns every day of the week when we are almost forced to agree or disagree to the profound opinions offered to us.

Of course, it’s a performance we ought to “imitate” each and every day if we are to take advantage of the democracy that was so hard-fought and won, and given to us. We need to help keep democracy greased, by either laughing or taking seriously our politicians when they rant and roar, often pretending they are busy at work.

While Saturday is among my most pleasant reading days because of Lee Walburn, Dick Yarbrough and John Willis and the light, airy and funny stuff, along with some, often, sad and thought provoking stuff. It makes Saturdays a more fun day, because of them. But if I had to choose one as my favorite, I couldn’t do it! Each has a Saturday when he is better than the other two, but it varies and one of the pleasures of reading them is discovering which of the three is best that day.

Then Sunday “throws” Pierre Noth at us, who has gotten better, I believe, the longer/shorter he writes. Please keep it up.

And while I am a dedicated Democrat (which doesn’t mean I can’t agree with a Republican — occasionally!) and to illustrate, let me mention a column a week or so ago by Cal Thomas (“Is censorship the new pluralism?” Feb. 26). Do you remember that one? It was dedicated to free speech, which I was glad to see he defended. The times I agreed with Thomas may be less than the fingers on my right hand, but on questions of free speech, etc., I hope we don’t look at his “credentials” to determine disagreement or otherwise. While I favor competition in many things, I’m grateful that Thomas and I agree as Americans. I’m not sure these days that it is as true for a great many Democrats or Republicans.

Having a local newspaper that tries to encourage that is also one of our freedoms: Long may it wave — if you know what I mean.