Thank you to those who, through letters and reporting, have spoken out about the manner in which the sanctuary county measure was pushed through the San Juan County council (The Sounder, Aug. 23.) And thanks also to those of you who were willing to proudly stand up for conservative values at our county fair and unfortunately experienced some abusive words and gestures.

San Juan County Republican Party Chairman Nathan Butler et al. wrote in our local papers that “Everyone is tolerant of their friends. It is how you treat people with whom you disagree that defines tolerance ….” It’s a valid point, but one that leads me to wonder: when did we stop seeing as friends those with whom we disagree?

Barbara Parnes

San Juan Island