Even though I’m lousy at replies, I do read every comment and all emails I receive. I feel a bit bad about not being more engaged in the few comments readers post on the blog, but I never been much for commenting on comments; which, I guess, is why so few of my readers post comments.

I think of my blog as a way for me to ventilate my opinions. When I’ve said my piece about something in the news, I’ve made my comment. In other words, readers should not think of my absent replies to comments and emails as some kind of arrogant silent treatment of people who hold opinions different from mine. Often enough, I just don’t have anything to add.

I hope this apology will satisfy the angry emailer who thinks I’m a jerk for not answering her long and detailed letter on Sarah Palin’s church. And I hope this apology will do the same for anyone else who might feel the same way about my absent replies to reader comments.