Ok Pete, you sent a lob our way, so here’s the return.

There’s one thing you got very right in your weekend update segment last Saturday night. Yes, we love Colin Jost.

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Obviously. We're mesmerized by his hair and his teeth and his masculine golf swing. We've loved him ever since he was working the nightshift in the Advance's old newsroom--with "Jost" written on the back of his chair in white out--and he was chasing stories about rescued raccoons.

But here’s something you got wrong. A key thing.

We like you too.

In fact, we adore you. You said it yourself. You represent who we, Staten Islanders, are.

For example: You’re gutsy.

How can we not admire someone who is brave enough to speak publicly about mental illness, an issue that hides in shadows and impacts an untold number of Staten Islanders? You stood up and talked about the challenges of battling debilitating thoughts and emotions.

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And, you’re hilarious.

We love that you can laugh at things that are difficult, and we’re proud that you bring a homegrown humor to millions of people on Saturday nights.

Staten Islanders know how to deliver a punchline, so we’d like to let the community take just a little credit for nurturing someone who is so damn funny.

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Of course, we also respect your roots in this community, your family, your dad, his sacrifice, and yours.

The Advance’s work is also rooted in having a certain freedom with words and we support your right to have your say--about Staten Island or otherwise--and, especially, your license to be funny. Even if it’s sometimes at our expense. Even if we strongly disagree with your sentiment.

But here’s the thing: would it kill you to say something nice about Staten Island?

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Maybe, make us look good in front of millions of people, for once?

There’s plenty of material for you to draw from. Just look at our coverage -- we write every day about people who care about their community, about a real culture of generosity. That is the Staten Island that we would love for people to know.

Really, we can’t be all bad; after all, we helped shape the sexiest joke writer alive.

Anyway, to sum up, we like you. We admitted it.

Now it’s your turn to be nice.

Commentary by Gail Lubin/Staten Island Advance

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