Media’s slant on ‘us versus them’ in politics is wrong

Regarding Brent Budowsky’s blog post “Ron Paul could be GOP kingmaker” (May 31), I agree, but even if he isn’t it’s a fight worth fighting. Two and a half years ago, I attended Rep. Ron Paul’s (R-Texas) Rally for the Republic with 10,000 other freedom-loving Americans from all across the country, and it truly was an awakening for me. I had never been to a political shindig that represented every face of America. There were college students with pierced faces and mohawks, and senior citizens in dress suits; there were homeschooling families (like my own) and people of every color and economic status; there were people of all faiths and beliefs — I met Christians, Muslims, Jews, agnostics and atheists; all came together with one commonality. While the national media tells us that these groups of people do not mesh, I saw for myself that day that this is the lie that propels the “us vs. them” mentality in America. 10,000 people from all walks of like with maybe just one thing in common, but that one thing was enough to create a very strong bond amongst the melting pot that was present that day — that one thing was liberty.

Since that day, I’ve refused to accept the “us vs. them” mentality that is shoved down our throats on a daily basis by the media. I’ve awakened to the understanding that in the heart of every man is an innate love for his liberties, and it is through this love for liberty and freedom, that America can be restored. It’s time to put away divisiveness in favor of an open dialog with one another on what we do all have in common and that one thing is our desire for freedom. This is where real dialog on the future of this nation will begin.

{mosads}I will fight the good fight for Rep. Ron Paul for president to the best of my ability and I hope that others across my state and our nation will as well. Winning or losing the political race will not be my barometer on the success of Dr. Paul’s campaign. My barometer will be whether or not a nationwide dialog on liberty and freedom is able to rise above the fray of American politics. Dr. Paul’s success in the GOP primary would simply be 
icing on the cake.

From April Poley, Buffalo, Wyo.

Sarah Palin is unworthy 
of our attention

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who claims to be a strict constitutionalist in all she wants for the rest of us, knows little or nothing about the constitution or history. To watch her unscripted reminds me of a child answering a tough question without knowing the subject matter. Paul Revere warned the British, rang bells and shot his gun as he rode through town? Not exactly a quote, but the meaning is the same. It is obvious she was not prepared for office in ’08 and has done nothing to improve her knowledge of basic U.S. history since. When a person, any person makes up facts and history like Sarah Palin often does, she rambles on because not talking a lot may lead to more questions they cannot answer. 

It used to be that in this country, we wanted the best and brightest to lead us. Now, the candidates for office must pass litmus tests on religion, eliminating government, not having government programs for those that need help. Giving more money to the rich that do not need or want it. We have become a 16th century Spain without inquisitions. It’s pathetic at best and destructive for us all at worst.

From Norm Grudman, Boca Raton, Fla. 

Don’t throw stones at Congressman Weiner

While I don’t condone Congressman Antony Weiner’s (D-N.Y.) Facebook and Twitter misbehavior by a long shot, perhaps the week plus “revelation of the day” should now come to an end. We get the picture, no pun intended. 

He is supposedly checking himself into “rehab” and taking a leave of absence from his official duties, thus removing himself as a distraction from pressing legislative business. He has paid a high personal price for attempting to cover up what was probably a mistaken pressing of the wrong letter, after all “f” and “t” are close to each other on a keyboard, making matters worse for himself than they might have been had he owned up to the original incident immediately. He has definitely found out he had 
few real friends among his colleagues, because their responses on his predicament have been professionalized and heartless 
as they scurry to distance themselves as far as they can from him. 

With a baby on the way, let’s hope his marriage was based on more than political power and leave him and his wife alone to heal and decide their future, and look on 
the positive side. This “disclosure” may have happened for a reason and just in the nick of time. Who among US, particularly on “the Hill,” is not “human” and in a 
position to judge?

From Karen Ann DeLuca, Alexandria, Va.