Hey, Mr. Doughty has found one. In a letter to the editor published Jan. 26 ("His opinions are his alone"), Richard Doughty says he hasn't "found anyone yet that (sic) thinks his opinions are worthy of agreeing with." He is referring to the opinions expressed in Mark Mayfield's weekly Tuscaloosa News op-ed column.

I have read just about every Mark Mayfield column you have published and I have found myself nodding in agreement with everything this very talented journalist and thinker writes. And -- unlike Mr. Doughty -- I have found many defenders of our Constitutional government who also enjoy Mr. Mayfield's columns.

In this day of assaults on our free media and our valued First Amendment in general, I am glad to find varying opinions in our excellent daily newspaper. I am thankful to be exposed to as many opinions as possible so that I may decide on my own what to believe. Please put me on record as one who enjoys reading Mark Mayfield's columns.

Thank you for an excellent op-ed page.