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Letters to the Editor: July 3, 2008
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Letter of the Day: Silver anniversary
Editor, Daily News:
I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth.
No, I am not a Kennedy. I am an American.
I was raised with a roof over my head, food on the table and freedom.
Free speech, free education, freedom to worship my God, and the freedom to vote.
I now understand that nothing is “free” in our society. Every right bestowed upon me as an American citizen has been paid with taxes, hard work and soldiers’ lives.
The journey started over 200 years ago with Europeans seeking freedom. We have had to fight for our freedom on every front since.
Please take a moment this week to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom, and those who continue to do so.
More than 75 percent of the worlds’ population would give anything for the basic freedoms that we take for granted. Remember the blood, sweat and tears that have been shed that allow us to live here.
God bless America.
Happy Fourth of July!
Danielle Steinmann, Naples
Letter: Lock up
Editor, Daily News:
The front page of the June 25 Daily News edition read: “Collier, Lee ahead of state’s plans to curb gang violence.”
That’s great, because since the Collier County School Board has decided to cut the district’s Enhanced Assist Program, its citizens are going to need all the help they can get.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Assist Program, it is an alternative school for students who choose not to follow the rules set forth by their school. Instead of sending these kids home for a couple of days or weeks, they are sent to this alternative school as a form of punishment for their actions. Here, they are to do schoolwork, and also here, their whereabouts are accounted for.
This will no longer be the case, as this program has been cut by the board to save money. Now the students will be sent home for those periods of time to do whatever they wish.
Lock your doors during the day, Collier residents. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.
Debra Conley, Naples
Letter: Sit on it
Editor, Daily News:
We recently went to the Naples Beach Hotel for their jazz festival. It was great as usual.
Thank you so much, NBH, for these treats.
I’ve been to about 20 of them with no problem until this last one.
Some rain came, so three of us went to the bar and listened to the rest of the show from the deck area. When we returned to get our chairs, someone had stolen two of them.
Two of the chairs had high backs with foot rests. People would always compliment the chairs.
The thief took one of them and a small fold-up chair that belonged to our guest. (I don’t know why he or she did not take all three or the two large chairs.)
But here’s the good part: the thief took the broken chair! I would sit in it very gingerly, waiting for the bracket to give out. So, the person is not only a thief, but an unlucky one at that. Ha, ha!
But the bad part is that it was our friend’s first time at the jazz festival and she was loving it — only to end on a sad note — her missing chair.
You wouldn’t think there would be a small-time thief in that crowd. Now if you want the good chair, I will be back.
But just because I’m at the bar, doesn’t mean no one will be watching it. Go ahead, make my day!
Jim Adduci, Naples and Boston, Mass.
Letter: Labor relations
Editor, Daily News:
It is puzzling why the Collier County School District did not work with the unions on the budget problems before it involved laying off 250 custodial employees. Perhaps, no one thought it possible for labor and management to collaborate on the issues. The Teamsters Union was not advised of the district’s move to privatize until late in the process. Had there been union input early on, it now seems likely that an equitable solution for both the district and its employees may have been reached.
Now, there is a rush for the unions to present their solution proposal to the district. I believe problems can better be solved with cooperation, understanding and respect. It is better to try than not try at all. I ask that our school district administration and the Teamsters work through all the smoke and come together to work for the betterment of everyone.
If management and labor are adversaries, what will ever be accomplished?
John McCloskey, Bonita Springs
Letter: Vote for Seliger
Editor, Daily News:
Shawn Seliger is uniquely qualified for the position of Lee County commissioner, District 5. He brings with him a vast network of services and experience to our community. Seliger is a local attorney who presently serves on the board of directors for the American Cancer Society, AFCAAM (African Caribbean American Ministry), Lee Mental Health Center and Voices For Kids of Southwest Florida.
His opponent is a career politician who, just a few years ago, switched parties to pass himself off as a conservative. Frank Mann is anything but a conservative! Last year, Mann voted against tax relief on the Lee County Commission. Over the years, Mann has voted for tax increases more times than I can remember, voted for his own pay raise, and has given money to such liberal Democrats as Al Gore and Bill Clinton.
Seliger, on the other hand, has stood consistently for conservative principles.
I know as a commissioner Shawn will work hard to cut taxes, promote economic growth, and improve public transportation and our overall quality of life. His opponent will continue to be more of the same.
The choice is clear for those who think Lee County needs to start heading in the right direction — Shawn Seliger is the man for the job.
Linda Kane, Fort Myers
Letter: Bad review
Editor, Daily News:
CBS has done it again. They’ve crossed the boundaries of good taste, social responsibility and decency by airing “Swingtown,” a series that glorifies open marriage and drug use.
In the first episode alone, viewers were subjected to an opening scene suggestive of a flight attendant performing oral sex on a pilot — the same pilot later shown in bed with another flight attendant and his wife, an orgy involving multiple couples, a teenage girl removing her top and pants and diving into the ocean wearing only her panties, two teens smoking marijuana, a woman cutting cocaine on a tabletop and rubbing the drug into her gums, and another woman offering a party guest a Quaalude.
This kind of content does not belong on broadcast television, period. And it is your obligation as a licensee of the publicly owned broadcast airwaves to serve the public interest and to preempt programs that violate this community’s standards of decency — which “Swingtown” certainly does.
I am urging you, as a member of the community and as concerned parents to preempt all future airing of “Swingtown,” and to use your influence with the CBS network to keep them from airing this kind of program in the future.
Donna Rittereiser, Naples
Letter: Train wreck
Editor, Daily News:
Where we went wrong was going from “we the people” to “we the party.”
Our own American Congress votes on individual party agendas first, over what is right for “we the people” of these United States of America. We all know the special interest groups and lobbyists.
We’ll be again headed to civil war. China and India growth alone may see to that in energy. All this predominantly is why we now all pay through the nose for commodities such as oil and food. We Americans and our government should have seen this train wreck coming.
And if we did and didn’t do a thing, well then, that would be criminal.
Mario Saint Michael, Naples
Letter: Cart it away
Editor, Daily News:
This is an open letter to all the other residents of Courtyard Village in King’s Lake.
Thank you so much to those of you who have more sense than to shop at the adjacent Publix, drag home shopping carts and then lazily leave them strewn about our property.
Thanks to those of you who prefer to keep our neighborhood looking clean and appreciate coming home after a long day of work to find it that way.
To the rest of you, thanks for nothing.
Matt Gudites, Naples
Letter: Travel budget
Editor, Daily News:
Let’s clear the air here.
I know that some liberals have a reaction to just the name of George W. Bush. But man, just look what happens when the president visits our own backyard! Predictably, out comes the emotional knee-jerk, foaming-at-the-mouth hatred for the president. For now, I’ll put that aside and deal with the facts.
It is not only the policy of this White House, but also previous administrations, that taxpayers’ money not be used for political fundraising. Rest assured to my friend over the other side of the aisle, President Bush did not use public funds. These types of events are reimbursed by the president’s own money. Hence no harm done, except possibly heartburn for the local Democrats.
Steve Scrivani also made issue of the fact the president flew in on Air Force One. May I ask, what other mode would he prefer? President Bush is president. Air Force One is an extension of the White House.
If I may remind Scrivani, during 9/11 Air Force One was the Oval Office. Our president does not leave his responsibility Pennsylvania Avenue. He carries it everywhere.
I marvel at the pains liberals take to find something to complain about President Bush. I also marvel at their selective memories.
Why, where were they when real improprieties occurred during the rental of the Lincoln bedroom?
Janos Feher, Naples and Warren, Ohio
Letter: Let’s vote
Editor, Daily News:
Folks, there was a guest commentary in the June 22 Perspective section by Nina Mold about legal and illegal immigration.
It’s a must read if you’re against illegal immigration. Great job, Nina.
I agree with everything she said, plus this. Our politicians better start doing what we citizens want and stop catering to the illegal immigrants. They salivate thinking about those votes. But I’ve got news for them. They’ll lose more votes by going against our wishes and doing what the illegals want.
The cost of sending the illegals back will more than be offset by the benefits they get now, like schooling for their kids, emergency room medical care, etc.
Businesses and government should start printing everything in our language — English, and English only.
If you doubt what I’m saying, put it to a vote — by legal citizens.
Joe Volturno, Naples
Letter: Foe lease
Editor, Daily News:
Re: Dick Duggan’s letter on June 19.
He has hit the nail right on the head, so to speak, as to the disgusting idea of leasing and/or losing control of Alligator Alley, especially for a length of time of 50 to 75 years. If even considered in the first place, do you really think that once other companies — especially foreign ones — are in the act that the profits from the tolls are going to stay in Florida? And once contracted, there will be nothing you can do about it for 75 years.
Some of the viewpoints expressed are to the effect that under that plan, it would maintain the Alley and help build and maintain new roads, etc. There is no guarantee that it will be used for just that purpose, considering some of the past monies for that purpose have somehow strayed into other uses. Once it is a signed-and-sealed deal, and you don’t like the way it is shaping up, there is nothing you can do about it for 50 or 75 years.
Even if there were a percentage of the profits somehow definitely guaranteed, we are not talking about a time element that is even remotely reasonable. They are still going to be making money off of what our taxpayers paid for in the first place. What kind of thinking is this?
I am not trying to be sour grapes on the solution to the original problem, but misconception of the whole plan has happened too many times in other situations.
Mrs. R.R. Benson, Naples
Letter: Must reading
Editor, Daily News:
A news event that may have a significant effect on the future of world events, and even on the history of civilization, was reported in Time magazine:
“Since Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao claimed last November to have read Marcus Aurellius’ Meditations 100 times, the Roman emperor’s 1,800-year-old treatise on Stoic philosophy has become a hit in China, reaching No. 5 on China Book International’s best-seller list.”
Just as most of us understand that the repetitive and widespread reading of the Koran influences the thought and behavior of Muslim youth, we must assume that widespread reading of classical Greek Stoic philosophy will affect the thoughts and actions of intelligent and learned Chinese youth.
Although Meditations discusses many subjects, the essential theme is support of the traditional ancient Greek exhortation for every person to use his or her ability to reason to seek out virtues, such as goodness, truth, beauty, justice, that are present in our universe, and then incorporate these beliefs to govern our actions in everyday life.
These ancient virtues served as background for the 18th century Age of Enlightenment, which proclaimed every person had a right to life and liberty, and to select the government that rules the country, thus promoting freedom of the press, choice of religion and other human rights.
Our Founding Fathers subsequently established the United States and created the Constitution, which gave our citizens the freedom and liberty we enjoy.
Over a billion industrious, enlightened Chinese would be a boon to humankind.
I hope I am right.
Stan Breen, Naples
Letter: Take me out...
Editor, Daily News:
Re: Jeff Lytle’s column on June 22, “Baseball in Tampa Bay.”
On Mother’s Day this year, my wonderful son, Chuck McMahon, his wife Jeannie and their three sons took me to see the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels game at Tropicana Field.
This game was great. The whole experience was — as Jeff put it — “big league fun” and just fun, fun, fun!
Born and raised in Falls Township, Bucks County, Pa., I went to many games in Philadelphia and will always be a Phillies and Eagles fan. However, this trip was enjoyable.
Yes, you should all check it out.
Marion J. McMahon, Naples
Letter: Two sides
Editor, Daily News:
As the campaign for the presidency of the United States begins in earnest, we should remember what makes our democracy work: a two-party system, both wanting what’s best for our country, each acting as a check or balance to the other.
To remind us of the excellent values subscribed to by each philosophy, here are direct quotes from Webster’s College Dictionary:
Conservative: disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or restore traditional ones; to limit change; to be cautiously moderate and preservative.
Liberal: favorable to progress or change or reform; advocating individual freedom of action and expression; free from bigotry; to be tolerant and give freely.
Marjorie Renfroe, Naples
Letter: Vote Cereceda
Editor, Daily News:
The arrogance of Lee County commissioners Ray Judah, Bob Janes and Tammy Hall at last week’s public hearing on charter amendments was unparalleled.
Perhaps they need to adopt an “anti-campaigning” ordinance to keep Judah and Hall from pontificating from the dais?
The charter issue of single member districts was proposed because the people wanted it heard. The audacity of Judah and Hall to tell members of the audience that if they could get elected, anyone could is insulting! Fortunately, the average voter does not have the “connections” Judah has with every Bonita Bay and Sid Kitson in town.
That patronizing speech about $100 contributions is pretty old, Ray, since most of us can add! At least Tammy knows that!
The question for those three commissioners was whether or not they believed the people deserved the opportunity to choose the way their government officials were elected. Evidently, we will not have that opportunity until Aug. 26 where I, for one, will be voting for someone who will listen!
My vote will be for one of the committee members who brought this issue to the board — Anita Cereceda. She believes we should have a voice. She is listening. She is not afraid to let the people speak, and I urge those of you who feel as I do to send someone to the commission who is one of us and who will answer our call when we speak out!
Mike Fondots, Fort Myers Beach
Letter: Odor alert
Editor, Daily News:
Something occurred to me recently, and I checked it out in my Rand McNally road atlas.
With so many toll roads in Florida, e.g., Florida Turnpike, Suncoast Parkway, Sawgrass Expressway, Homestead Expressway, Beeline Expressway and assorted toll systems in the Orlando area, what has prompted the state Legislature to “sell off” Alligator Alley?
I’m surprised that the Daily News hasn’t pursued questioning this tactic by investigating the profitability of these other toll systems in comparison to the Alley.
Somehow, this whole deal has a strange odor to it.
Earle Wisniewski, Bonita Springs
Letter: Eat words
Editor, Daily News:
Is it now time for all these so-called compassionate conservatives who have been beating up on the Republican nominee John (straight-talker) McCain for months to now bite their tongues and show their hypocrisy and start singing his praises?
Here are some past quotes that will need to be swallowed:
Author, Ann Coulter: “I would vote for the devil over John McCain; thus my claim that I would vote for Hillary Clinton over John McCain.”
Conservative pundit, Rush Limbaugh: “John McCain has stabbed his own party in the back, I can’t tell you how many times.”
Fox News host, Sean Hannity: “Sen. McCain is not a conservative. ... He is not a Reagan conservative. That, to me, is indisputable.”
Conservative talk radio host, Laura Ingraham: “There is no way in hell I could pull the lever for John McCain.”
Talk show host, Glenn Beck: “I think John McCain is more dangerous even than Hillary Clinton.”
Evangelical leader, James Dobson: “Should John McCain capture the nomination, as many assume, I believe this general election will offer the worst choices for president in my lifetime.”
Columnist, Michelle Malkin: “He is an expert at filibustering and he is an expert at crooked talking.”
I’m going to enjoy watching and listening to this crowd of pompous hypocrites flip-flop on why we should now vote for their beloved McCain for president.
Personally, I’m hoping McCain selects Joe Lieberman as his running mate so I can watch them both go down in humiliating defeat.
John F. Riccio, Naples
Letter: Sinner to saint
Editor, Daily News:
It’s amazing!
When he was alive, George Carlin was a filthy-mouthed, insulting, rude, insensitive, stand-up comic.
Then he died — and became a saint.
John Ostrowski, Naples
Comments
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Ms. Rittereiser,
Are the batteries dead in your TV remote?
If ya don't like it, don't watch it. Pretty simple solution in such a complicated world.
I've have never seen the show nor care to. But YOU cross the line when YOU attempt to dictate what others may choose to watch.
#1 Posted by boulderbilly on July 2, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Marjorie Renfroe -
I think we carry the meaning of the words conservative and liberal too far. In a political sense, those words have different meanings than in a general sense. In a general sense a person can be liberal and conservative at the same time. In a political sense we believe in two different philosophies as to how the country should be run. Liberals generally believe in the freedom of individual rights. Conservatives believe in the old ways that have proven to be against the rights of individuals.
Examples: Conservatives on the most part are against abortion. Liberals generally believe it is against individual rights to deny abortions. Conservatives are against governmental intrusion in education. They believe in private schools. Liberals believe we need government schools so that all our young people can get a quality education. Conservatives think that the private sector can do a better job taking care of our needs. Liberals believe we need government, so that more people can be helped.
I realize that nothing is perfect, and there are merits to both philosophies. I will, however, go with the liberal approach to solving our problems, because the old ways are not satisfactory. I prefer the word progressive. If we are progressive we have to leave the old ways behind and find better ways to help the environment and our citizens. Politics gets in the way when it comes to bringing progress to the country. Our people are divided, so that makes progress painfully slow. I have my ideas which I feel would solve most of our problems, but conservatives disagree with me.
I wish there was more unity about how to run the country, but it's not that way, and millions of people are turned off and don't do anything.
#2 Posted by rationalman on July 2, 2008 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Obamascam
#3 Posted by GoneFishin on July 2, 2008 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When he was alive, George Carlin might have been a filthy-mouthed, insulting, rude, insensitive, stand-up comic... but he was very funny. I wonder if the Lord has the same view of crude obscenities as He does of those who use His name in vain? I wonder if Heaven has a sense of humor or if you have to take sensitivity training to get in?
Requiescant In Pacem.
#4 Posted by AARGGHHH on July 2, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Marjorie Renfroe, not exactly the definitions I got from my Collegiate or Unabridged dictionary. Methinks you are full of it.
Besides, conservative is a good thing when it comes to finances. Doesn't seem to change much. You know, you can't pay debt with debt. That seems to be the new thinking.
#5 Posted by GoneFishin on July 2, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Noticed another jfreakio letter (still glad I know to look at the names first.) Is he still ranting about the worst president ever? What happened to Varner?
#6 Posted by GoneFishin on July 2, 2008 at 10:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't let Alligator Alley go to waste.
email
Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com
Governor
Jeff.Kottkamp@MyFlorida.com Lieutenant-Governor
Find the rest at myflorida.com
Don't waste time with LTTE, contact them directly!
#7 Posted by GoneFishin on July 2, 2008 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GoneFishin,
Ya have a very interesting approach to communication. You proudly proclaim your contempt for what Riccio writes by refusing to read his letter yet out of the other side of your mouth you ask all the other posters to tell you about it. Kinda like a kid sneaking a peek at the Playboy magazine found in his fathers dresser I suppose. You're dying to know what's inside but don't want to get caught looking.
Might it not be easier to just read his freakin letter? Or are you too afraid he just may be right? Lol.
#8 Posted by boulderbilly on July 2, 2008 at 11:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And you are absolutely correct about the new conservative approach to debt. I have to agree with you that the Bush administrations handling of the deficit borders on criminal. Your call for change is commendable. I think OBAMA will do a much better job also.
#9 Posted by boulderbilly on July 2, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Finally, Fish calls Bush jr 'the worst president ever'. And McCain? OH yes, that's right, He's soo different and brings change.
Fish, It is good to see you came around and agree with J.R and me about Bush jr.
#10 Posted by bossman1 on July 3, 2008 at 5:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
boss, you are so illiterate.
McCain is the best of the two.
Please don't fall for the garbage offered by Obama.
Obama is a phony.
#11 Posted by GoneFishin on July 3, 2008 at 6:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm Voting Republican!
www.imvotingrepublican.com
#12 Posted by bicoastal on July 3, 2008 at 6:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you don't like a t.v. show, change the channel!
Stop complaining!
#13 Posted by oilcansam on July 3, 2008 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
John McCloskey;
Cooperation,understanding, respect.
I have a feeling these 3 things will never be involved in any decision made by this administration.
John Ostrowski;
He was also very funny and made you think.
#14 Posted by Optipess on July 3, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh my, we've just successfully gone for 6 straight months now with large job losses.
The yellow liquid falling on Americans head is Bush's trickle down economics in action. Get out your umbrella, ya ain't seen nothin yet.
How long till BushVille tents start popping up on the lawn in front of the White House? Might be a good time to open up a mobile soup kitchen.
#15 Posted by boulderbilly on July 3, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jonos what a crock, do you really think Bush paid for all of the security, plane fare, time off from his job again, ETC with his own money...you are delusional.
#16 Posted by pippin on July 3, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Janos Feher you are probably one of the clowns that voted for Bush in Fl. and Ohio ....
You have the selective memory not me just because I am a liberal..."One size does not fit all" I remember listening to your type cry like a spoiled child over Clinton, pay backs are a b***h huh?
#17 Posted by pippin on July 3, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
From today's NYT.
"Bush administration officials knew that a Texas oil company with close ties to President Bush was planning to sign an oil deal with the regional Kurdistan government that ran counter to American policy and undercut Iraq’s central government, a Congressional committee has concluded."
Nah, say it ain't so. Bush's buddies have been given the green light to steal all they can in his last six months, regardless if it runs counter to US interests.
Dwell on that a minute.
Our kids are dying right now supporting the Iraqi central government while Bush and his oil buddies are actively undermining it in the name of short term oil profits. Hmmm......Our Presidents loyalty becomes clearer with each passing day.
Change can't come quick enough.
#18 Posted by boulderbilly on July 3, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Liberals generally believe in the freedom of individual rights. Conservatives believe in the old ways that have proven to be against the rights of individuals."
Unless it's that pesky individual right to bear arms.
Perhaps you should have said "Liberals generally claim to believe in the freedom of individual rights.
#19 Posted by mthalo on July 3, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gonefishin, Riccio's letter was another great one, full of information. John never writes anything but facts, but since the facts really upset you, you can't face them. That's also why you don't want to read John's letters. The truth hurts too much.
Also, it could be you're a pansy like McCain has become. You're just too fragile to see another point of view.
Well, I'm not real strong either, but I do try to listen occasionally to Rush, Mush Limbaugh. And that's really hard.
I see Limbaugh got another lucrative contract. Wow, a person can make a lot of money lying.
Anyway, why don't you try reading John's letter. It was interesting, but I kind of suspect you already did. Your curiosity couldn't pass it up.
#20 Posted by truthmatters on July 3, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rationalman,
Liberals are for individual rights? How can you say that the political party that is for big government is concerned with individual rights? Other than the abortion issue, I see the liberal movement infringing on individual rights, not the conservatives as you claim. How about the right to bear arms... the right to develope my land as I wish... the right to spend my money that I worked for the best way I see fit for me rather than those who choose to sit on their rears all day (refering to higher taxes)... how about the right to send my child to private school... you contradict yourself in your own writing.
#21 Posted by IMFROMHERE on July 3, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)
By the way... is there anybody else out there that feels the same way I do about our candidates? You can't tell me, that these two clowns are the best we can come up with. Once again, I will be voting for what I feel is the lesser of two evils.
#22 Posted by IMFROMHERE on July 3, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
IMFROMHERE -
You raise some important points. There are things that we have to restrict our freedoms. None of us should have the freedom to do anything we want to do. Individual rights means that we have the right to believe what we want and do what we want as long as we don't hurt anyone else or do things that are not for the common good. I suppose I do condradict myself sometimes, because we live in a complex world full of greed and selishness. Nothing is black and white. There is greed and selfishness amongst all segments of society. Neither conservatives or liberals are immune.
Gun control is a tricky subject. I have to admit that I'm biased against guns. Our society is permeated with guns. They are everywhere. Our movies and television programs are full of guns killing people. I'm tired of watching programs where people are shooting each other. In the news we see soldiers carrying guns. We live in a gun oriented society. No wonder that there is so much gun violence.
I don't know what to do about it, but we do need to have very strict gun laws. It only makes sense. I've read reports that the more guns there are in the homes the more people are being shot. If a gun is available, it's very easy for some unstable person or who is angry about something to start shooting at someone they wouldn't otherwise do.
We have too many guns and I believe we've got to do something. Maybe it's too late, I don't know.
I'm not saying that everything government does is alright. I'm not that dumb, but I'd hate to have less government. We would have anarchy. It's hard to keep things under control when there is so much greed and selfishness everywhere we look. Our country is full of graft and corruption, and we have to have government to keep a semblance of control over those who are only interested in their own welfare. No one should have the right to get rich at the expense of other people.
In a nutshell I believe that liberalism means to have the right to do what is best under the circumstances and not have the right to do what is harmful for society as a whole.
If you want to send your children to a private school, you should have that right, but we need public schools for the rest of the children. All young people can't go to private schools. There aren't enough of them. I can't see anything wrong with setting standards for all schools.
#23 Posted by rationalman on July 3, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Alot of people think that Obama has changed his mind on some issues and moved to the center, but I have watched, and many of these issues like the second amendment right to bear arms, Barack has believed in before and does believe in now. He didn't and doesn't think the government has the right to ban all guns. He did think and does think that there have to be regulations.
As far as faith based schools: Barack has a strong belief in a good, solid education for children from early in life on up. He feels perhaps sometimes that parochial schools can provide a good education also, so it's somewhat of a dilemma to find a way that children can go to a parochial school and the government can help in ways that does not broach separation of church and state.
Barack does have some strong feelings about where he'd like to lead the country, and much of it has conservative bent of personal responsiblity, trying hard to succeed, not looking for handouts but working to earn scholarships for college tuition etc. I see in Obama a combination of both liberal and conservative, because he also has progressive ideas for energy independence and clean fuel. His foreign policy is not empire building, but forming friendships with other countries and using diplomacy, not war. So, we do have a positive choice and a new leader who has much to offer. It's not a case of the lesser of the two evils. Watch carefully and you'll get to know Obama.
#24 Posted by truthmatters on July 3, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Obama: This is the scum you want?
The Boston Globe reported last week that Rezko used federal subsidies Obama supported in the U.S. Senate to rehabilitate more than 1,000 apartments in and near Obama's old state senate district. Rezko then neglected the homes "to the point where many no longer were habitable."
http://ibdeditorial.com/IBDArticles.a...
#25 Posted by GoneFishin on July 3, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gonefishin, what's you're point? That's not Obama's fault that Rezco didn't follow through responsibly with the project.
Obama wanted help in housing to these poor neighborhoods. He helped get the legislation. We have contracts given out all the time that don't measure up to what they were supposed to do. Seems to me we have quite of a few of those lucrative contracts in Iraq that went to Bush's friends and cost us billions more than Rezco's project.
You know, GoneFishin, you can see the flaws in everyone else but your guys. Well, you've got plenty of them in your party, and what used to be my party but it's too slimy for me now. Just remember plenty of Republican contacts are making hay over Bush's decision to invade Iraq.
Rezco is peanuts next to the big stuff of Bush's cronies, so I don't even want to hear about it. You're scraping and looking pathetic doing it.
It surely is a good thing that Obama has some campaign finance money to defend himself. He'll need a lot of it. I've never seen such an onslaught of attacks for a bunch of very specious junk.
#26 Posted by truthmatters on July 3, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
truthdon'tmatter, Obama has got you fooled because (I can hear y'all whining) we just want a left-wing liberal socialist phony, er, I mean change.
#27 Posted by GoneFishin on July 3, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rezko is NOT peanuts when it comest to a man that wants to be president. He has proven he is a dirty politician with public funds as well as private funds, has close friends that are racist, has friends that are marxists, and exposed his daughters to racial hatred of whites.
Peanuts??
If he is for education, why is he against vouchers that 85% of his Illinois constituent are for. He gets more power from the teachers union that school kids, so they are no longer important.
#28 Posted by ChiDem on July 3, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No Assist Program = Very Problematic kids out on street = no impetus to change behavior = no made up work = higher dropout rates.
A lot of these kids can be turned around through the assist program. Now they may not be and perhaps could escalate their problems w/all the free time they will have during the day.
More lost children ... thank you Collier county school district !!!!
#29 Posted by jokesonme on July 3, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
21 Truth. Just for the sake of a little discussion, how about giving an example of a Limbaugh lie.
#30 Posted by bbgeezer on July 3, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GoneFishin, you have nothing substantial against Obama but inuendo. If he were doing wrong, I think people other than you diggers of dirt would be doing something about it.
Now, since it concerns you so that the taxpayers may have been ripped off, how about the billions of graft and loss in Iraq through Bush's war of lies?
Limbaugh twists the truth so he can claim he's not lying. He interprets things differently than they are meant by the speaker. He abides by no debate; he totally cuts off anyone who disagrees with him. He is rude, rude, rude, and he's a complete huxter. For a while I was sure he was on Bush's payroll.
I think you can read John Riccio's letter today to see what right Wing radio and television personalities said about McCain. Now they try to whitewash that.
Rush is what he is. A Right Wing Huxter. I expect no intelligence or fairness from him. He makes his money by being rapidly anti liberal.
Obama is honest, real honest next to the crew we're seeing in the Right Wing. Right Wingers, your pot is black, so stop trying to point out the faults of the kettle.
BTW, you haven't made a dent in my commitment to see Obama elected. You have nothing but air to try to sell where air is already abundant.
#31 Posted by truthmatters on July 3, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The late conservative Bill Buckley always stated that he was disappointed in Rush Limbaugh and the Eagle Forum...
#32 Posted by dooley on July 3, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
32 Truth. Just for the sake of a little discussion, how about an example of of something that Limbaugh has twisted so as to obscure the truth.
#33 Posted by bbgeezer on July 3, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Right, Dooley, that's why Rush gave a eulogy at his memorial. Howling at the moon works for some people.
#34 Posted by almasonlybar on July 3, 2008 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gotta admit, Bill Buckley was an excellent spook before he changed careers. The word around the Company was there were only two people that had no need for a secure telephone. William Casey because he mumbled sooo bad and Bill Buckley because half of his vocabulary was so complex that there was no Russian equivalant.
#35 Posted by boulderbilly on July 3, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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