The freedom to express one’s opinion
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Robert Lang
Published: September 12, 2008
I love living in a free land with a free press where, from time to time, I can express my opinion. In doing so I hope that perhaps I can influence my neighbors to join me and support a good cause.
Unfortunately, having read the opinion of others and heard the recent partisan rancor — with state elections scheduled every other year, county elections scheduled for the “off-year,” special elections now
and then and the presidential race — it seems that the very essence of our democracy, these elections, serve as a catalyst spurring us to vilify each other. Now, tired of that, I’m going to try to do
something different. I am going to try to praise the Democrat and Republican presidential candidates.
With respect to the chronology of the conventions, I first praise Senator Obama.
Some people say he is inexperienced and too young. I look past that and see the candidate that beat the presumed and nearly ordained party frontrunner. His strategically played, down-to-the-wire
campaign and victory says a lot about Senator Obama.
Regarding Senator Mc Cain, some people have taken him to task regarding his selection of an even younger and supposedly less experienced governor to be but one heartbeat from the presidency.
Honestly, I think it was a gutsy choice and I think that too says a lot about Senator McCain.
Still, I wonder, what other women are as eminently qualified to run with McCain?
Surely, I ask, are there not other women in government who have served as a vice something for numerous years? Thinking of that, if Senator McCain was to ask who in particular I might have in mind,
I’d have to say, take the Dumfries District Supervisor, Maureen Caddigan.
Really, John. TAKE MAUREEN CADDIGAN, PLEASE!
Given the lack of apparent progress made in applying millions of dollars in state allocated funding to expand the 234 commuter lot in her district, perhaps were she gone we could finally get along with
improving this chronically overused but critically needed asset.
ROBERT LANG
Triangle
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( real change ) on September 24, 2008 at 10:43 am
So Robert Lang should have written: Hey! I’m no Henny Youngman but I love living in a free land with a free press . . .. Maybe then his TAKE MAURREN CADDIGAN, PLEASE would have an even better point, not that taking her away is not good in its own way.
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Posted by ( kgotthardt ) on September 22, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Willow, understood. I just said that because the few times I’ve had letters in here, they’ve changed my headlines.
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Posted by ( willow703 ) on September 21, 2008 at 6:46 am
kgotthard,
It’s also the right of the PN not to print any letters & apparently that is what they are doing. I can no longer post comments to the letter about attacking Keith Fimian & they have not posted an online letter since the 15th. There were no LTTEs in yesterday’s print edition.
So, your ability to expose others to your opinions is limited by the extent of your resources.
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Posted by ( kgotthardt ) on September 19, 2008 at 7:51 am
PN always changes headlines to letters submitted. Hey, it’s their right, so long as they don’t change the text (spelling corrections are always welcome, though).
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Posted by ( real change ) on September 17, 2008 at 9:55 am
PHDEE;
I surely hope you see that Mr. Lang did not praise either vicepresidential candidate. I also know that his suggestion for a title on the letter was “OK, so I’m not Henny Youngman.“ But the EDITOR changed that and perhaps the humor gets lost. I think Mr. Lang’s real point was much to a local level, we are getting shafted by the SUPERVISOR WHO DOES NOT SUPPORT HER COMMUTING CONCTITUENTS.
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Posted by ( phdee ) on September 16, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Yes sir, do the right thing: Palin reminds me of comic strip character Lucille Sweeney.
According to you, she raised a family (5 kids), worked at a job, and went to college (5 different colleges - Hawaii, Idaho, Alaska)—AND ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Can you imagine that - took her that long (25 yrs to get through college); where did she work all those years and in what capacity; and raised a family. Superwoman!!!!
All just a lot of Republican B.S.
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Posted by ( phdee ) on September 16, 2008 at 1:35 pm
do the right thing: WOW! Palin attended 6 different colleges - from Idaho to Hawaii to Alaska - all without distinction - at least no one remembers her - WHILE SHE WAS RAISING A FAMILY? I didn’t know that. I think it is a lie. Did they all move around?
gOLLY!!! THINK HOW MANY MOMS OUT THERE ARE HARDWORKING - AND QUALIFYING FOR THE VP AS A RESULT - BY BELONGING TO THE PTA, BEING A SOCCER MOM, GOING HUNTING, DRIVING A CAR (AS OPPOSED TO A DOG SLED), ABSTAINING FROM SEX, ETC. ETC. yES SIR, WE REALLY HAVE TON OF “QUALIFIED” VP CANDIDATES OUT THERE.
HOW DO YOU KNOW I CAN"T STAND AN ASPIRING MIDDLE CLASS FEMALE?
aND HOW DO YOU KNOW I DON’T HAVE A JOB, AND AM LEACHING OFF TAXPAYERS? CITE YOUR “EVIDENCE” PLEASE.
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Posted by ( raywilliams ) on September 16, 2008 at 11:16 am
do right says “Whats the matter PHDEE, you can’t stand a middle class mom aspiring for higher office? “
No, I can’t stand a middle class mom aspiring to be one heart beat from the presidency until she has demonstrated she has the knowledge for the job. I don’t agree with Palin’s views, but then I don’t agree with many radical Republicans. I don’t fault her views, just the fact she is not ready to be vice president - and has a realistic chance of becoming president in the next 4 years.
Look at how Clinton and Bush aged during their terms. McCain is already 10 years older than Bush, and will age 12 years in the next 4 if elected. The thought of “one heartbeat” is real in this case. Voters be aware.
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Posted by ( do the right thing ) on September 16, 2008 at 7:50 am
PHDEE:
It is typical of liberals to go after a woman who raised a family,worked a job, and attended college all at the same time.
Whats the matter PHDEE, you can’t stand a middle class mom aspiring for higher office? Maybe if you had a job, and weren’t leaching off taxpayers, you wouldn’t feel so jealous of a hardworking mom.
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Posted by ( Grant Gary Jacobsen ) on September 14, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I agree that you have a perfect right to express your opinion on any subject. The paper will never censor your views. Be careful, however: there are some mean people out there who will come after you with claws and teeth bared if you write something they don’t like (just look at one of the other opinions expressed on the op-ed page this date).
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