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Dear M______,
Thank you for your letter. We too received a free copy of the E_____ Times. I was curious about it and looked it up. You might be interested to know that this publication is backed by a radical new age religious movement that began in China. I encourage you to research this yourself, although I have no reason to lie to you. But this publication might. The publishers of this “news” paper are more interested in overthrowing their government than doing anything to help ours. Not that I’m a fan of the Chinese government, but you should be aware of their motivations and perhaps take what they say with a few grains of salt. What they believe about Trump is….a … a good place to stop unless I want to lose you as a friend forever….

2/
Dear M______,
Thank you for your letter. We too received a free copy of the E_____ Times. As a past journalism student, I have found our nation’s changing attitudes toward news sources very interesting to watch. I too have become skeptical of almost everything. Before I subscribe, I am interested in who founded and funds this publication. What kinds of advertisers do they feature? Do they have a system of fact checking their sources like the Associated Press and other longstanding news agencies? Of course, since you underlined the words “real truth” six times, writing to you like this is probably a lost cause….

3/
Dear M______,
It troubles me that I haven’t seen you in eight months and your letter consists of nothing but political persuasion. Where’s the friendly greeting? The polite opening questions about how my family is doing? About how I’m doing? Oh no, you launch right into your propaganda. And seriously, you’re inviting me to subscribe to E_____ Times?  Me? Do you really not understand that it promotes policies and ways of thinking that will seriously jeopardize the rights and even the very life of people, including my children and others that I care about? What the hell?? Are you really this blind to what my life is these days?? You used to be so fun and joyful! Can we not laugh together as in days of old and tell hilarious stories about culinary disasters and our families’ escapades?  Is this what happens when we age? How could someone once so full of light be on such a dark path??? Are you okay????  
Oh Gosh. Are you okay?

4/
Dear M______,
I got your letter and I just wanted to say that I understand it’s easy for a person under stress to get wrapped up in a cause and become blind to everything outside of it. When that cause turns out to be less life-giving than expected, you might move on, or you might hold on tighter than ever because it’s all you have holding you up. You might begin putting aside your personal morals and beliefs, telling yourself the ends justify the means. You might find yourself wrapped up so tight in this cause, that you can no longer see things outside of it: persistent beauty, old friends, pleasant memories. It’s okay to admit you were wrong about something or overwhelmed. We will still love you. Is it too late? I should have called you and checked in. I know you’ve been under stress. I know you live alone… I want to believe this is not the real you. That I can help you somehow, so I’m reaching out. I realize you probably think I am the one being deceived, but I hope to convince you….. Wait…. How is that different than….

5/
Dear M______,
I write this from a place of love. I was a little alarmed by your letter. I hope you are centering yourself on something more positive than current events these days. I remember how I felt when Trump was elected. Hopeless. Scared. You have never struck me as a person of fear, but a person of boldness, light, and joy. You were a guiding light in my youth. You kicked cancer’s ass. And we may feel differently on political issues, but … You stopped reading, didn’t you?

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Dear M______,
The E______ Times is not our cup of tea, but it was truly lovely to hear from you. Such a lonely time we’re in. I wish you peace and I hope to see your beautiful smile again when all this cold and sickness are behind us.
Much Love,
C_________