As I indicated Wednesday, taking phones from readers is part of my job and it is a very important part.

Readers need to know that there are real, live people behind the publications, stories and opinions in The Oakland Press.

Unfortunately, I don’t have time to sit and chat for hours but I do make it a point to talk to people and return their phone calls. People know that their readership and opinions are valued. And as we’ve stressed, you don’t have to agree with The Oakland Press editorial or other letter writers, that’s why the page is called the Opinion Page.

There are two individuals who stay in touch frequently, usually through the telephone and they are great examples of the types of people who we are trying to serve.
I won’t mention their names because I don’t want to embarrass them but they may figure out who I’m talking about.

One is a retired GM employee and the other a retired teacher. They may be similar in other ways but their political views are pretty much opposite. The former GM worker is a conservative while the teacher could be considered a liberal, although I’m using these terms loosely.

There are times when the individuals agree with an editorial and other times when they don’t. It’s OK, either way. They call to tell me how they feel and they concede that it’s just an opinion and everyone is entitled to his or her opinion.

What these two individuals are is very open-minded and reasonable. They may be passionate about their views but they understand that not everyone will agree with them.

To me, they realize the true essence of freedom of speech and tolerance.
There are some individuals, fortunately not many, who seem to think that they’re the epitome of patriotism but if you don’t agree with their views, then you’re wrong and should shut up. That is not my interpretation of free speech.

To give you an example of the latter, there’s an individual who uses the pseudonym “John Galt." This is a fictional character in Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged (1957). Although he is absent from much of the text, he is the subject of the novel's often repeated question "Who is John Galt?" and of the quest to discover the answer.
I will admit that initially I thought this individual was a real reader but in checking the address I was given, there is no such person.

Obviously, the person who is behind the e-mails sent in the name of John Galt is a coward who is afraid to stand up for what he believes. Otherwise, he’d give his real name.

I won’t spend a lot more time on this person but he or she is an example of the varying types of calls I receive.

Most callers are like our GM and teacher retirees. They have strong opinions, don’t mind stating them and are not afraid to stand behind their views by giving their names. Also, they realize that in America, it’s OK to disagree.