-Isms: Views on life in rural America

A year ago, I wrote about why the July 4 holiday is one of my favorite times of the year.

A week later, a reader told me I obviously didn't believe in freedom and America and democracy because of an immigration column printed on the same editorial page as my Fourth favorites.

Opinions on the editorial page vary, as they should, representing individuals from all walks of life.

The person questioning my choices didn't bother to ask if I agreed with the column. Instead, I was labeled a liberal lunatic.

Um, I'm more of a moderate, but I do stand firm in believing compassion and empathy set a found...