Character Attacks

In any election, we can expect to see attacks made, and to a point, this is fine. Candidates normally go after their opponents' views, decisions or stances on issues. This year however, we have witnessed massive character attacks.

Sen. John McCain and company are doing their very best to slander Sen. Barack Obama, and they are rallying up their base with these accusations. McCain supporters all over the country can't seem to wrap their heads around the fact that Obama is actually a good guy, and instead somehow believe that he is Islamic, a terrorist, a "sleeper cell" and some have even said that if he is elected "the blacks will take over."

It makes me sick to think that so many of this nation's citizens are so ignorant and ruled by fear that they ignore the issues at hand, and simply attack Obama for what they'd like to think he is. I want to see McCain tell his supporters that enough is enough and to stop questioning Obama's character and act like civilized people again.

PAUL D. KWIATKOWSKI

Boone

Lame Attempt

As a registered independent voter, I recently received a direct mail piece from the N.C. GOP attempting to link Sen. Barack Obama to William Ayers and terrorism. Although Obama may have links to Ayers, this piece is a lame attempt to try to link Obama to terrorists and just shows the desperation of the Republican Party. Obama's links with Ayers are purely humanitarian-driven, and Ayers is now an upstanding citizen and professor at the University of Chicago.

When will the Republican Party learn that fear tactics and negative smear campaigns will not work anymore on the educated American? It should stick to the real issues unless it has no substance, which is apparent. This independent is voting for Obama.

ROBERT MATTINA

Clemmons

Disappointed

I was very disappointed to learn that my own newspaper has endorsed Pat McCrory for governor ("Election '08: Governor," Oct. 12). As a public-school teacher, I wonder how a guy whose idea of change is to import the failed policies of President Bush to our state could possibly be endorsed by my Journal.

McCrory supports a transfer of $877 million from our neediest public schools to private prep schools and home schools. He loudly opposes raising the minimum wage and requiring health-insurance plans to cover mental-health counseling.

Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue has brought technology and education to many parts of this region that would be ignored by McCrory. Perdue has also helped provide low-income children with health insurance through a partnership with our state and private insurance companies.

The Journal has failed its readers by giving an endorsement to Pat McCrory and his failed ideas for North Carolina and public education. But don't worry. Winston-Salem voters are ready for change in North Carolina, and we're intelligent enough to know that that there's very little difference between Bush and Bush-Lite.

RODNEY N. ELLIS SR.

VICE PRESIDENT

NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS

Winston-Salem

Compassion

After hearing Sen. Barack Obama's answer to Joe "the plumber" Wurzelbacher's question regarding taxing small businesses that make $250,000 or more, "I think that when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody," I had a conversation with a liberal who asked, "Do Republicans have no compassion?"

My question in response is, "If the government mandates it, then is it really compassion?"

While I am not thrilled about our other choice of a candidate for president, I say let's send Obama back to Sherwood Forest and elect Sen. John McCain.

MICHAEL H. SEARS

Winston-Salem

Decreed

The Oct. 15 letter "Recognize" states, "Militant Islam did not grow out of the teachings of Islam," which is inaccurate, historically and contemporarily. Based on Muhammad's reception of the Quran, initially he pursued peaceful means through invitation and persuasion to broaden Islam. As he gained power, however, Islam became the "religion of the sword." Muhammad gave people three options: accept and convert to Islam; pay a tax; or perish. In any Islamic country, religious minorities have been and are oppressed and often persecuted.

Every Muslim's life is decreed by the Quran (Muslims believe it is Allah's exactly dictated words) and the Hadith (sayings of Muhammad). "Jihad" can mean one's inner struggle to live and abide by the Quran, which could be expanded to include any Christian believer's effort to live Jesus' "the greatest commandment." However, in multiple verses, the Quran commands jihad to all Muslims to overcome all who do not accept Islam, by any means required.

While the majority of moderate Muslims condemn indiscriminate slaughter, millions of radical Muslims promote -- or at least condone -- such carnage. Whatever people believe, that becomes self-fulfilling and focuses their worldview. Living Christ's "the greatest commandment" is our, and my, greatest challenge.

PETER VENABLE

Winston-Salem

Why Try

I don't know why the politicians try to confuse me with their facts; my mind is already made up.

WAYNE MOOSE

Lewisville

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