Some are quick to call names

Some are quick to call names

EDITOR:

I just have to vent about what I’m hearing in the news. I disagree with the president, so I am a racist. This comes as quite a shock to me and hopefully to all who know me. Sorry Serena (a strong black woman), I know you are my oldest and closest friend, but, according to former President Carter, apparently I secretly want to discriminate against you.

I am many things. Admittedly, I am opinionated, demanding, nice, funny, sarcastic, sweet, caring, mean, childish, selfish, giving, snooty, down to earth, complicated, simple, intelligent, stupid, and a lot of other things; however, the one thing no one can call me is a racist.

I disagree with the president’s policies and politics, not his skin color. I don’t care if he is chartreuse — I don’t need or want the government to take care of me. I don’t care if he is a white woman named Hillary, I don’t need or want socialized health care. I don’t particularly appreciate being called a racist by someone who was irrelevant even while he was president.

I have an opinion and I have a brother in Iraq fighting for my right to express it safely. I will not be brow beaten into quiet acceptance of socialism or political correctness.

So if having a different opinion than the president makes me a racist, color me a racist. I will wear it like a badge.

SARAH M. GRAZIANI

Canfield

In the spirit of Joe McCarthy

EDITOR:

Whether they be called tea baggers, birthers, or deathers, it is not hard to see that the spirit of Joe McCarthy, red-baiter extraordinaire, is still among us. Like those who succeeded him, McCarthy capitalized on a climate of fear and confusion to further his own ambitions. In the process, numerous people found their careers destroyed and any who voiced alarm at this lynch-mob mentality was branded a Communist/Socialist sympathizer. Does any of this sound familiar?

Whenever I hear a right winger complain that any criticism of these “protesters” or those who exploit their anger for financial gain is a violation of free speech, I must point out one important fact: the Constitution protects you from the government, it does not protect from criticism by other citizens. Those of us who are appalled at the level of racial animosity in this climate have just as much of a right to speak out as those who revel in it. As someone who opposed the war in Iraq, I put up with a lot of criticism from those on the right. I’m old enough to know that words have consequences, and I took that criticism like an adult. The same should hold true for those on the right. If they wish to egg on racial hatred, so be it, but they best be prepared to accept the consequences of their words and actions.

Lastly, in response to the letter writer on Sept. 18 who bristled at the caricature of tea baggers as racist and uneducated, all I have to say is that we are judged by the company we keep. If you choose to stand alongside people who shout slogans of racial hatred or carry placards displaying such, do not be surprised to see yourself lumped in with them. Furthermore, very few have argued that voicing disagreement with the president’s policies is un-American. What is un-American is spreading lies, bigotry, and intolerance without regard to the consequences. A real patriot does not compare their president to Hitler, a witch doctor, or any other offensive stereotype. A real patriot doesn’t shout down those who disagree with them or lynch people in effigy. A real patriot doesn’t bring firearms to a political rally. Tea baggers are a lot of things, but they are definitely not patriotic.

LUKE TOCHTENHAGEN

McDonald