To the Editor:

In response to “Kindness and Respect” which appeared in Oct. 31-Nov. 6 issue of North Country This Week: This thoughtful submission was brief enough, I believe, to re-publish verbatim prior to a response.

It read as follows, “I have very strong Christian values. I don't believe or support abortion but I have close people who have made that choice. I don't agree with the homosexual or bisexual lifestyle but I do have gay friends. Obamacare needs to be restructured and I feel every law-abiding citizen should be allowed gun access. See, I can disagree with you and still treat you with kindness and respect. How many liberals can say that?”

In response, I would say, many, and respectfully add, in my view, certainly much more than the flip side of the coin. I also find it curious that the author chose to submit this anonymously. Why is that?

Perhaps a better question is how many conservatives can say that without doing so anonymously? But I would call the author’s particular attention, to Senator Bernie Sanders’ recent appearance and address several weeks ago to the student body at Liberty University, a conservative Christian University founded by the late Jerry Falwell (available for viewing on Youtube).

Sen. Sanders spoke of his opinions on abortion and homosexuality, which contrasted with the official Liberty University Doctrine, while also eloquently sharing his views of family values.

For example, he mentioned, among other things, the radical notion that a new mother should be able to have three months paid maternity leave in order to have the time and opportunity to bond with her baby during those most important and crucial initial weeks.

There are many other examples out there of progressives and liberals disagreeing with you and still treating you with kindness and respect.

If this author would perhaps have the courage to reveal his or her name, I would be happy to submit many more examples and keep the dialogue moving forward in a kind and respectful fashion.

Leland Farnsworth

Massena