Opinion Letters
Email
Print
Amusing
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: August 3, 2008
Updated: 08/02/2008 08:05 pm
One of the more amusing aspects of the current political propaganda is the continuing effort by Sen. John McCain to exploit the lack of experience of Sen. Barack Obama.
Last time I checked, most all of our current federal congressmen and senators, the ones responsible for getting the United States into the present crises we are facing in banking, housing, fuel, Iraq, etc., are about as experienced as a politician can get, probably averaging more than 20 or 30 years each. Obama is a very junior U.S. senator and, while in the Illinois state Senate, spoke out against going into Iraq.
Sometimes a little common sense and a constructive and an objective evaluation may be the best "experience."
C. ANDREW HUTCHINS
Winston-Salem
Making a Choice
I read with great sadness the accounts of the shootings at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville ("Gunman kills two, injures seven at Unitarian Universalist church," July 28).
As fellow Unitarian Universalists, we are especially hurt by this tragic event. But we also recognize that we are not alone in our sorrow or in our confusion about how such acts can occur. Unfortunately, we have heard too often of such violence in our schools and churches, places we once thought of as "safe." When such violence occurs, all of us are reminded of how fragile our illusions of protection and sanctuary are.
It is our choice of response to such violence that defines us. We can seek vengeance, we can point fingers, and we can become so fearful that we abandon our principles. Or we can seek justice, understanding and an end to violence. We choose the latter course, and while we are not blind to the threats of the modern world, we will not be intimidated and will remain faithful to our mission: to be an inclusive, supportive community of spiritual freedom, evolving wisdom and ethical action.
GERALDINE ZUREK
PRESIDENT
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF WINSTON-SALEM
Winston-Salem
Has Rights
In regard to your article about the lieutenant who was ordered to delete his blog, I think that Lt. Matthew Gallagher shouldn't have been forced to shut down his blog ("Army orders lieutenant to stop blogging from his post in Iraq," July 27). Gallagher may be in the Army, but he still has rights. Being in the Army doesn't mean that he has given up his right to free speech.
He wrote something negative about a superior on his blog. While that may not have been a smart thing to do, he's still entitled to his opinion.
I think that the Army should let Gallagher resume his blog.
MATTHEW Z. JOHNSON
Winston-Salem
Voter Registration
Twice referring to voter-registration efforts as being "for Obama," the July 26 article, "Obama, McCain setting up in N.C," seriously misrepresents the voter-registration process. Obama volunteers are dedicated to registering anyone who is qualified to vote, not just Democrats.
As a registered Independent who has volunteered in two Democratic presidential campaigns, I don't just register voters; I educate people about their voting rights. Sen. Barack Obama and the Democratic Party may benefit more from enhanced voter registration, but the most important thing is that all of us exercise our essential right as citizens, the ability to participate in the voting process.
CORNELIA W. BARR
Winston-Salem
When You Write
Our address is: Letters to the Journal, P.O. Box 3159, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. Our e-mail address is: Letters@wsjournal.com. Please write "Letters to the Editor" in the subject line and include your full name, including middle initial, and full address. A daytime telephone number is required. All letters are subject to editing and should be limited to 200 words. Letters may be published on the journalnow Web site. Writers are limited to one letter every 30 days. Because of the volume of mail received, the Journal is not able to respond to every writer.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
N.C. Politics
Federal Politics
Advertisement
