When you don’t agree with another person’s opinions, it can be a bitter pill to swallow.

But nobody ever said freedom of speech was always palatable.

That’s often apparent when a letter to the editor addressing the jet noise issue appears in the Opinon pages of the  Whidbey News-Times. The stakes are high and emotions run deep on both sides of the issue.

I have received emails and phone calls from Navy supporters saying it appears the newspaper is favoring the anti-jet noise group, Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve, because it seems more of their letters are published. Their presumption is that there’s a large stack of pro-jet letters awaiting publication.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

I’ve also received emails and phone calls from COER members and others bothered by the jet noise saying it’s clear that the newspaper is in the pro-jet, pro-noise corner, and there certainly must be a stack of anti-noise letters we’re not running.

Again, not the case.

As I explained to a very irate and emotional caller this week, nearly every letter the newspaper receives is published. If it’s signed by the writer, includes a city of residence and a contact telephone number, and isn’t libelous or an unnecessary personal attack, it runs.

One of the things I appreciate most and never take for granted about News-Times readers is their involvement in local matters and a willingness to speak their minds on a bevy of issues via letters to the editor.

Apathy can be toxic for a community.

It’s true that not all letters get in right away. Sometimes space is an issue, or there might be questions about the letter that need answered by the writer before it can print.

Because the Opinion page is one of the most valued and sacred sections of any real newspaper, issues letters receive priority for publication. Local writers receive priority over non-local writers. Long lists of “thank yous” may remain in the queue for a while.

A list of business names in a letter may not run at all — that basically equates to free advertising in most sacred  section in any real newspaper, the Opinion pages.

To be clear, whether or not I or anyone on the editorial staff agrees with any letter matters not one bit. The objective of publishing letters is to create and facilitate a community conversation.

Withholding any letter to the editor because I disagree with the opinion runs counter to my journalistic ethics and beliefs. It doesn’t happen.

We welcome your letters on a variety of issues. The rules are simple; Sign them. Tell us your city of residence. Include a contact phone number for verification purposes. Focus on the issues and not on people or personalities.

And keep celebrating freedom of speech.