We want to hear from more of you. 

We have our regular letter to the editor writers but there are thousands of you out there who have something to say, have great opinions and thoughtful points of view, and we would like to share your thoughts with our readers. 

If you read something in another letter, a column or an editorial you disagree with, then sit down and write a column or letter yourself. Just remember not to stoop to name calling and personal attacks. Be civil. Be polite. Be a good person. 

Like us, hate us, agree with us, disagree or simply have another point of view, regardless of what you think or how you feel, we want to hear from you. 

We publish a lot of opinions we disagree with ourselves.

And we think we should.

Sometimes readers complain about letters to the editor, guest columns and editorial cartoons they disagree with and often asked us, “Why do you publish such things?”

We want you to know that we publish diverse points of view on purpose.

We strongly believe we should all be challenged in our thinking regarding the views we hold. It makes us stronger.

We also strongly believe that an open and free marketplace of ideas is crucial for an open and free society. We embrace and encourage a robust public discourse and believe we are all made stronger by the words and opinions of others, especially of those with whom we may disagree.

Editorial pages are made for strong opinions.

The Times clearly distinguishes between news and opinion by publishing opinion pieces, including the newspaper’s daily editorial, on the editorial page, clearly marked “Point of View.” On the same page, we publish letters to the editor, guest columns, syndicated columns and political cartoons.

Newspaper editorial pages celebrate the freedom of speech and provide a redress of grievances guaranteed in the First Amendment. Political and social commentary help define us and refine us as a nation and a community.

The Times believes in the value of political debate and celebrate the longstanding newspaper tradition of newspaper commentary, controversial editorial cartoons, opinion columns and letters to the editor.

The letters to the editor section of the newspaper on the Point of View page is always your opportunity to share your opinions.

The newspaper does not have to agree with your opinion or point of view.

In fact, we even willingly publish letters and columns from people telling us how bad we are at what we do.

This is your free and open public forum. Letters contain opinions on issues that have public interest and are not a forum to air domestic disputes or consumer complaints. The Valdosta Daily Times strongly encourages letters to the editor and guest columns.

If you have more to say than can be captured in a traditional letter to the editor, we offer the opportunity to write a longer column, generally including a photograph of the writer, and providing more space on the editorial page.

Public discourse improves, educates, refines and strengthens us all. While people may not always agree, we should always listen to one another and defend the rights of our fellows to say things with which we disagree.

So, we regularly publish columns, letters and cartoons that our editorial board, each of us as individuals or our staff members disagree with, and we should. We publish other things with which we agree. And we should. If there are not diverse opinions, there is no marketplace of ideas, no true open forum.

We encourage our readers to share their opinions. We encourage letters to the editor and certainly do not require letter writers to agree with our point of view.

Letters can be submitted to valdostadailytimes.editorial@gaflnews.com or mailed to P.O. Box 968, Valdosta, GA 31603. We look forward to hearing from you.