Brooke Ann Smith (Readers' Forum, July 31) confuses Pete Ashdown's innovative use of an online "Wikipedia" with lack of preparation on major issues. After 30 years of Orrin Hatch's arrogance and neglect, she obviously has forgotten that participatory politics is a foundation upon which this great nation was built. Personally, I much prefer having a voice in my senator's policy decisions rather than having them dictated to me by an aloof, professional politician who has lost touch with his constituents.
Ed Partridge
Murray