Dear editor:

Everyone regrets a missed opportunity, so perhaps we can assume that Garth Turner regrets not acknowledging the latitude he gets from The Lake Report in his Aug. 7 column, “Sorry, boss: Theatre design still sucks.”

After all, he begins with mock surprise at being allowed space for his contrary views and spends the next three paragraphs whining about the publication’s position on the proposed re-imagining of the Shaw Festival’s Royal George theatre — all without acknowledging that the paper offers him remarkable latitude to take the opposing position.

In an age of extreme polarization, hosting opposing views is becoming a lost art.

Governments everywhere seem keen on suppressing opposition; media outlets, where they still have the ability to express unpopular views, are disappearing.

I, for one, appreciate that The Lake Report gives Garth a prime-position soapbox even though I thoroughly disagree with his assessment and conclusions.

Expressing that support is an opportunity I don’t want to miss.

Doug Mepham
NOTL