Panida shines as community asset

The Panida Theater represents a fantastic, unique and valuable resource, especially in a town the size of Sandpoint. Like other art houses, they are known to bring viewings and voices other than the unquestioning and commercial fare offered by Hollywood. By showing thought-provoking films such as "Fahrenheit 9/11" and "The Corporation," it allows us to consider where we are going as a nation. The two different documentaries above share one thing in common, and that is they question the status quo (and, if you have been paying attention, it seems that some questioning is in order).

Some in the community have written several harsh letters to the editor. Some have made angry and intimidating phone calls — a bullying that lies outside the boundaries of civilized discourse.

An art house is a fountain of enlightenment, culture and education, and by representing all segments of the community it will bring different points of view to our attention — some we may not agree with. However, a certain level of tolerance is required.

Sandpoint is indeed fortunate to have Karen Bowers and the Panida board of directors, who have shown courage in allowing and showing diverse views, activities and films into our community. I hope they are not discouraged by the few negative statements and behaviors recently experienced, because they bring to us a most important element — free speech — in this nation's grand experiment called democracy.

PHILIP A. DEUTCHMAN

Sandpoint