While I applaud the students who wrote their political viewpoints in The Oregonian Opinion section (Feb. 11), I am not encouraged by what I read. By suggesting that the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust funds some "groups that hold extreme views fomenting hate," you lose me. Why? Because I thought as an American I can hold views, practices and beliefs that are lawful, but that may be different from yours. And why should that, as you describe it, "foment hate?" 

I am sorry but I believe it is time for political discourse to be about what we have in common and what we disagree on, without being disagreeable and hateful. Our country will not survive otherwise.

I think, believe and hope that what we all want is to have our country continue to be one with the freedoms that are unthinkable in many places in the world. I pray (yes, pray) that we stop using hate and harsh language in our discourse and behavior.

Blanche Krall, Southeast Portland

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