Guest columns, contributed by our readers, are priceless additions to the editorial content of Perspective. Your opinions, research, insights and writing skills add context, depth, balance and wit to the work of our regular columnists and editorial writers.

The volume of guest columns we receive is increasing by leaps and bounds, as there's a staggering amount of information--political, social, lifestyle, investigative, entertainment, economic and human interest, to name just a few categories--that deserves input and clarification from audience members whose insights contribute to our understanding of the world as it is today. Perspective is lucky to have access to such a vast well of experience and understanding that writers are willing to share with others.

But contributors must understand that guest columns don't automatically appear on the pages and websites of this newspaper. They have to be edited. That includes determining relevance and timeliness, verifying facts, considering the logic of arguments being presented, and attending to such basic language requirements as correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Editing is done by real live editors at this publication (no thanks,........

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