The Opinion pages are one of my favorite parts of The Telegraph. I truly enjoy the diverse opinions of my neighbors, many of whom I vehemently disagree with, because it helps me to understand my state better and offers insight into what other folks are truly thinking.

Every once in a while, however, a letter is published from out of state – or even outside of New England – and I wonder why these outsiders are trying to influence New Hampshirites.

Recently, such a letter was published (Jan. 4: “Why not impose violence-added tax?”). After reviewing the Telegraph’s letter policy, which states “up to 250 words from its readers that are exclusive to this newspaper,” I decided to research this letter.

It turns out the research was easy: the exact rhetorical question was asked on Debate.org recently and blogspot.com.

So this is not so much an exclusive letter from an interested reader as regurgitated rhetoric from a self-promoting blogger from elsewhere in the country.

So is The Telegraph going to retain its exceptional local focus or is it going to start repeating special-interest dogma from anyone willing to submit a letter? Washington, D.C., is full of them.

William Darby

Nashua