I’ve mentioned in previous blogs that I’ve got a backlog of letters to the editor and guest opinions.

Well, as hard as a I try, because of space limitations sometimes I can’t get them all on the published Opinion Page.

But I do have an option — I can put them online.

Most people, understandably, prefer to have their letter printed in a regular edition but sometimes it’s just not possible. So, instead letting the letter languish for several more weeks — to the point where it is completely outdated — we place the letters online.

I keep the letters usually at least two weeks but sometimes if a writer is discussing a topic that already is old or will be outdated soon, that letter also goes online.
Usually, the topic in a letter going online already has been written about by another writer whose letter did get published, so the topic isn’t completely ignored, it’s just we couldn’t get all of the letters in.

Because the time element can make a letter grow outdated so quickly, the only alternatives are to just not run it or put in online. One benefit for putting the letter online is that it can run in its entirety. A 300 word or larger letter often must be cut before it can get printed. The limit is 250 words. But because there is basically unlimited space on the web, I will run the long letter without trimming it, unless it had inaccurate and libelous information.

So, going online Thursday at theoaklandpress.com will be letters from the following writers: Alexis Allum, Leonard; Jim Head, Oak Park; Rev. James E. Fleming, Rochester Hills; Walter Sobczak, Novi, Allison Sandvig, Waterford; Jim Nowka, Northville; Elise Payton, Farmington; Joel King, Oxford; Stew Wasson, Highland; David L. Wisz, Birmingham; Mark Wagner, Rochester Hills and Tracy Thomas, Commerce.