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This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Spokane needs diversity

For those of you living in Seattle, Portland or California who might be considering relocating to Spokane, please do not consider the narrow view of Christopher Vogel expressed in his recent letter (“Be a part of this community,” Sep. 22) to be the uniform belief of people in Spokane.

Spokane is not a monolithic society, patrolled by thought police who require that everyone think and act the same. Any progressive city, which I believe Spokane is, should welcome people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs, regardless of whether they came from Seattle or some conservative small town in Eastern Washington. A city does not progress by having every citizen espouse a uniform set of beliefs but rather by having a diverse array of citizens who each can contribute in their own way to moving the community forward.

I admire the Spokesman-Review for opening its opinion pages to not only Shawn Vestal but also to Trump-apologist Mark Thiessen. Readers can choose which they prefer. By the way, I have lived in a Spokane for 42 years and by no means consider myself an expert with a chainsaw. That is not a prerequisite for living here.

Duane Swinton

Spokane

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