The freedom to express one’s opinion

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