The letter of Andrew Baranello to your newspapers (Letters to the Editor, Aug. 10) regarding the proper subjects to be addressed in your Letters to the Editor section, warrants a response.

Contrary to Mr. Baranello's reaction, I found Mr. Theodorsen's letters to be a refreshing break from the ordinary litany of gripes about our local, day-to-day affairs, while broader, more important but less visible, issues are disregarded. Mr. Theodorsen should be commended for writing and submitting his insightful and perceptive letters concerning the Bush administration.

In Mr. Baranello's view, the Manhasset Press ought to limit the subjects to be addressed in its Letters to the Editor section, to "our schools," and "our roads, local teams, tax issues, library and local gentry to name a few." However, the Bush administration's policies do affect those things, in varying degrees. More to the point, I and many others appreciate the opportunity to address and consider issues beyond our community, in our community newspaper. If Mr. Baranello wishes to read a community newspaper that does not accept letters of wider interest for publication, he is free to read one, or even to create one.

Was Mr. Theodorsen suggesting that readers support a political party other than the Republicans? I don't think so. His letters did not consist of "partisan politics," they simply addressed "politics." That is the means by which peaceful change in society is affected, such as with regards to our schools, our roads, our libraries and general tax issues. But, again, even if Mr. Theodorsen had suggested that readers support or oppose a certain political party, that should not be a reason to reject his letter.

Let us avoid criticizing the people who provide the essential service of creating and publicizing a forum for all Manhasset residents to express their views on the important topics of the day, however controversial they may be.

Gary L. Donoyan

Chair, Nassau County Liberatarian Party