Residents represent differing views on war
Here at the Acorn we try to live by the motto: If it isn't local, leave it alone.

Whether it's the front page, the sports page, or here on the opinion page, the general rule of thumb is to leave national issues to the national news media, because (a) there are plenty of them- national news media, that is, and (b) there's enough going on here in Simi Valley to keep our plate full as journalists.

But, on occasion, we're presented with the opportunity to take exception to that rule- in that rare situation when a national debate plays itself out on a local stage.

We saw that happen last year with the United Church of Christ's decision to harbor an illegal immigrant mother wanted for deportation because she used false documents to enter the country. Impassioned letters from residents poured in, expressing their feelings not only on that particular subject, but on the issue of illegal immigration as a whole.

Were we to turn the letters away simply because they addressed a topic that didn't meet our definition of local?

Of course not. And that's the same reason we print and will continue to print letters pertaining to the war on terror. Because it is local. It's everywhere.

The most recent page 4 debate on the war began with a letter written by Sgt. Jeremiah Waggoner, a Simi Valley soldier who's served the past 13 months in Afghanistan, to a close family friend who had come home from school crying after a heated debate in her government class. Her mother found the communication so inspiring she decided to send it to the Acorn, without the consent of the sergeant.

Fortunately, Sgt. Waggoner, a 2000 graduate of Simi Valley High School, did not take offense, and in fact is taking the chance this week to respond.

So whether you agree with Waggoner's feelings on the war or you don't, the most important thing is that his opinion, and all your opinions, counts. And they can be expressed without fear of retribution.

The right to exercise freedom of speech is exactly what Sgt. Waggoner and all of our soldiers are fighting for.

That's a cause we can all agree on.