No, Dispatch, I don't want to see Virginia or Santa on opinion page Christmas Eve
'No, Virgina' editorial puerile fiction. Had no place in the Conversation
As much as I love reading your newspaper, I have to admit that I rolled my eyes when I saw your lead piece in the Dec. 24 Conversation section.
Since "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" is an established piece of American folklore, I can see you printing that in the Arts and Entertainment section.
But to print such an obvious piece of children's fiction in a space otherwise reserved for serious opinion pieces — especially when you did the exact same thing last year — trivializes that space.
Alan Miller: Yes, Virginia ... Santa exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion
As a minister of the Gospel, I was hoping to read thoughtful opinion pieces on Christmas Eve about poverty and homelessness, since (as your readers may or may not know) Jesus' parents were dirt-poor teenagers, and there was "no room for them in the inn" when Jesus was born.
Instead, you printed an old piece of puerile fiction. What a disappointment!
Please spare us this trivia in the future, or at least put it in a space where you put other puff pieces. Thank you.
Rev. Gerald Bishop, Milford Center
What do you think? How to submit a letter to the editor for The Columbus Dispatch
No workplace smoking means vaping, too
I am writing today to bring attention to the inclusion of vaping in the Smokefree Workplace Act.
In 2006, the state of Ohio banned smoking in public spaces and places of employment to protect residents from the harmful effects of secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Not only is smoking cigarettes indoors banned, but vaping is banned, too.
The African American Male Wellness Agency has partnered with Franklin County Public Health to provide Tobacco Prevention and Education sessions to The Academy for Urban Scholars students, serving and supporting youth who reside in underserved communities through Franklin County.
More: Columbus ban on flavored tobacco begins Jan. 1 as state lawmakers aim to snuff it out
Increasing access to life-saving resources to students and their families and helping to improve health outcomes for those who are impacted by the effects of smoking.
I urge our community to take health seriously and prevent exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke in public spaces. If you see someone smoking or vaping in public, call 1-866-559-6446 to make a complaint.
If you are a smoker, consider seeking support and resources to quit, such as nicotine replacement therapy or counseling. If you know someone who smokes, encourage them to seek help and offer your support in their journey towards better health. The Ohio Tobacco Quitline is a free tobacco cessation program with proven strategies to help individuals quit tobacco.
To learn more about the Quitline Program, visit the website at https://ohio.quitlogix.org/en-US/ or call the Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
You can also visit the Franklin County Public Health cessation landing page for more local resources. By making the decision to quit now, you can take back control and pave your road to recovery with lasting success!
Dana Lavender, program manager, The African American Male Wellness Agency
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 'No, Virgina' fiction. Shouldn't been published in opinion Christmas Eve
