On the editorials...

We’re rather modest when it comes to considering our reach and influence; we rarely show any sense of pride.

But after President Barack Obama came out in support of gay marriage — declaratively — the day our editorial criticizing him for wavering on the issue was published, we can’t help but feel good.

This was no coincidence; it was our notoriety. It’s clear our thoughts mean something to someone.

But not everyone is so considerate of our opinions, at least in reacting in a positive manner. We wish more readers voiced their responses in an effective and respectable manner.

This past year, we’ve touched on a lot of topics — from a global and national scale to here at the university. And no matter what the subject is, we receive the most radical of responses from both sides of the argument.

However, rarely do responses come in an educated, mature, organized form; rather they come in anonymous ranting e-mails or angry and cynical phone calls. Not much thought, just anger and resentment to our published work.

We understand where one may inherently take issue with a single point of view getting reserved space in a newspaper, but we don’t understand why this disagreement can’t be funneled into a more effective and persuasive response.

Some readers may not feel comfortable with having their name published in a newspaper, so a brief comment to our editorial board will suffice. But other than that, all submissions from the readership are always welcome. This includes a brief letter to the editor, a more thorough examination of the issue at hand in a guest column or even a simple visit to the office to discuss the issue further with some of our staff if you so wish.

The idea of our editorials is not to take the last parting shot, to be the sole opinion on the matter. We merely intend to spur discussion, and we love to see responses, if done so in a mature and prudent manner.

We are no different than any other reader; our opinions hold no more weight and are no more righteous than any other. No one opinion will ever be correct — that would simply be ignorant.

We sit and discuss the relevant issues of our day just as anyone else would with family and friends. The only difference is that we get to ultimately share that opinion with a much larger audience.

But again, this does not mean we are the only voice, the last say on the matter. Every debate has a counterargument or another aspect to consider — we know this better than most. We’re reminded of that every single day.

Feel free to remind us again.

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Editorials serve as a means for Barometer editors to offer commentary and opinions on issues both global and local, grand in scale or diminutive. The views expressed here are a reflection of the editorial board’s majority.