Letters 5/21: Parker’s column disturbing
In her column titled “Full-blooded Americans” (LJS, May 17), Kathleen Parker expressed agreement with voters who preferred John McCain to Barack Obama because McCain, unlike Obama, was a “full-blooded American.”
I have to say that this was one of the most disturbingly racist columns I’ve read in a long time. Parker argued that because Obama’s father was from Kenya, Obama and the children of other recent immigrants somehow didn’t “get” America, and therefore didn’t deserve to be president.
How dare she.
Anyone who thinks we should choose a president based on ancestry is the one who doesn’t “get” America.
She’d deny it, but Parker’s coded language is simply a not-so-subtle way to suggest that mixed-race people aren’t fit to be president.
I’d much prefer to see the guys in white hoods than Parker’s smiley-faced brand of racism. At least they don’t pretend they aren’t racist.
Tom P. Lynch, Lincoln
Bush should apologize
What kind of overseas representation do we have when our president speaks this way in another country (“Bush, Obama trade salvos,” LJS, May 16)? I’m floored at the things he has suggested of a very serious candidate for president while overseas.
I was always told that when you go out of the country, you represent the country and should conduct yourself as a proud American. This is not the case with George Bush. What an example-setter we have in Bush.
He should apologize to Barack Obama and the whole country for politicizing a historic event in Israel. And we wonder why the two parties can’t work together when the person who is supposed to bond them acts like this.
January of 2009, I beg of you, come quick.
Roger Foster, Crete
CLCs are important
Being a parent of children who participate in the Community Learning Center program at Huntington Elementary School and at the F Street Recreation Center, I am deeply concerned about the budget cuts the city is proposing.
Our families need these programs. They offer a fun, safe learning environment for our children. Communities thrive on the programs CLC has to offer. Being low income proves challenging when you are trying to get your children into after-school programs that will enrich their minds to grow.
My daughter was in an after-school club that taught her how to dance; it was made possible by the CLC. If not for the CLC, she would not have been able to take dance lessons; therefore, she never would have discovered her hidden talent.
Our children are our future. If we want them to be all they can be, we need to make sure we provide them with all the tools necessary to develop their mind, body and spirit. I believe the CLC plays a substantial role in our children’s emerging success. We as a community owe it to the children to ensure that the CLC can continue to provide these invaluable programs to your families.
Terra M. Liebers, Lincoln
Applause for Bruning
Isn’t it a shame that when a person such as our state attorney general, Jon Bruning, does the job he is sworn to do as an elected official, that he receives criticism from special interest groups who want to advance their own agendas. Would a police officer deserve criticism for enforcing the laws that protect us or a judge who gets the bad guys off the streets and into jail?
Bruning is doing what the law says he must do: enforce and oversee the laws of Nebraska for its residents. Not spending time and money to represent illegal immigrants who have not earned and do not deserve the rights, resources and privileges of the citizens of this country.
I, for one, applaud his stance and offer my full support for the job he is doing. It is time for more Americans to stand up and do what is right and not worry about political correctness and special interest groups.
Lanny Petit, Inland
I have to say that this was one of the most disturbingly racist columns I’ve read in a long time. Parker argued that because Obama’s father was from Kenya, Obama and the children of other recent immigrants somehow didn’t “get” America, and therefore didn’t deserve to be president.
How dare she.
Anyone who thinks we should choose a president based on ancestry is the one who doesn’t “get” America.
She’d deny it, but Parker’s coded language is simply a not-so-subtle way to suggest that mixed-race people aren’t fit to be president.
I’d much prefer to see the guys in white hoods than Parker’s smiley-faced brand of racism. At least they don’t pretend they aren’t racist.
Tom P. Lynch, Lincoln
Bush should apologize
What kind of overseas representation do we have when our president speaks this way in another country (“Bush, Obama trade salvos,” LJS, May 16)? I’m floored at the things he has suggested of a very serious candidate for president while overseas.
I was always told that when you go out of the country, you represent the country and should conduct yourself as a proud American. This is not the case with George Bush. What an example-setter we have in Bush.
He should apologize to Barack Obama and the whole country for politicizing a historic event in Israel. And we wonder why the two parties can’t work together when the person who is supposed to bond them acts like this.
January of 2009, I beg of you, come quick.
Roger Foster, Crete
CLCs are important
Being a parent of children who participate in the Community Learning Center program at Huntington Elementary School and at the F Street Recreation Center, I am deeply concerned about the budget cuts the city is proposing.
Our families need these programs. They offer a fun, safe learning environment for our children. Communities thrive on the programs CLC has to offer. Being low income proves challenging when you are trying to get your children into after-school programs that will enrich their minds to grow.
My daughter was in an after-school club that taught her how to dance; it was made possible by the CLC. If not for the CLC, she would not have been able to take dance lessons; therefore, she never would have discovered her hidden talent.
Our children are our future. If we want them to be all they can be, we need to make sure we provide them with all the tools necessary to develop their mind, body and spirit. I believe the CLC plays a substantial role in our children’s emerging success. We as a community owe it to the children to ensure that the CLC can continue to provide these invaluable programs to your families.
Terra M. Liebers, Lincoln
Applause for Bruning
Isn’t it a shame that when a person such as our state attorney general, Jon Bruning, does the job he is sworn to do as an elected official, that he receives criticism from special interest groups who want to advance their own agendas. Would a police officer deserve criticism for enforcing the laws that protect us or a judge who gets the bad guys off the streets and into jail?
Bruning is doing what the law says he must do: enforce and oversee the laws of Nebraska for its residents. Not spending time and money to represent illegal immigrants who have not earned and do not deserve the rights, resources and privileges of the citizens of this country.
I, for one, applaud his stance and offer my full support for the job he is doing. It is time for more Americans to stand up and do what is right and not worry about political correctness and special interest groups.
Lanny Petit, Inland
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