The election is over but the hate continues.

            President Trump, while not yet fully conceding, has directed the federal General Services Administration to start the transition of power.  A major step.

            We all have our opinions of how this General Election was run.  In the face of an unprecedented number of votes being cast and the methods by which state and county governments worked to process the volume of ballots along with the efforts of the United States Postal Service to keep them moving, the procedures are something that can be studied, and yes even audited, to see how improvements can be made in the future.

            But the General Election of 2020 results are headed for their December certification.

            As civilized people, we have a responsibility to listen to the opinions of others.  As civilized people we have the right to agree or disagree with the opinions of others.  To what degree we take our disagreement is up to each individual – as civilized people.  Violence and hatred should not be used to resolve differences between civilized people.

            Our "woke" society has taken it upon themselves to take their criticisms of the opinions of other to levels we rarely experienced.  But, that is their right.

            As a member of the Fourth Estate it is our responsibility to share those opinions when we agree – and when we disagree.  Responsible members of The Fourth Estate should never add to the cultural demolition of our country; though some do.  How will people know what others feel if opinions aren't shared?

            We may agree or disagree with what you wrote, but we defend and value your right to express your opinion.

            Over the past few weeks, Letters to the Editor expressing opinions, pro and con to other opinions regarding the election, have raised the ire of a few subscribers who let us know that if we continue the practice of publishing these letters they will cancel their subscriptions.

            To them, we responded; "We cannot alter people's opinions and we will not censure them like Big Tech and Social Media does.  Nor do we print letters that are not signed like many other newspapers and Social Media - we require people to take responsibility for their words.  As long as submitters abide by the rules (provide their names, etc.), we honor the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and their right to Freedom of Speech."

            In 1789, James Madison introduced the first amendments to the Constitution, which are now known as the Bill of Rights.  The first one read "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

            That amendment guaranteed our individual rights as citizens.

            It has been a rough year but we still have much to be thankful for.

            At this Thanksgiving, we give thanks for and remember James Madison for his wisdom in crafting the First Amendment.