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Letters, 9/6: Take a stand

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Saturday, Sep 06, 2008 - 12:37:43 am CDT

I watched Barack Obama accept his party’s nomination for president, and earlier in the week I watched as Hillary Clinton spoke at the Democratic National Convention. I reflected upon the strides that have been made in racial and gender equality. There have been countless sacrifices made for this patriotic cause. Some paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride in the efforts of those before me who made it possible for this to be a reality.

Then I sat down to read the daily paper and came across “Heineman staying neutral” (LJS, Aug. 28). I am angry and dismayed that the elected leader of our state refuses to lead on such a critical issue as human equality. Gov. Dave Heineman says, “I don’t feel as governor I have to take sides on every single issue.”

What kind of leadership do the people of Nebraska deserve? I want a leader who is very clear that he would oppose any efforts to move our nation backward in the cause of racial, gender or age equality.

It is every citizen’s responsibility to take a stand in support of equality for all. We can’t afford to be complacent and let up because of the progress that has been made. There are real threats to this progress, and this initiative is one of them. I hope Heineman reconsiders and takes a stand to oppose the effort of those who want to eliminate the safeguards that have been put in place to facilitate equal protection. Our great state deserves to hear his opinion.

Paul Ries, Lincoln

Politics above prudence

Your headline “McCain’s pick seen as a big gamble” is sadly all too true. He is not only gambling with his campaign, which is his business, but he’s gambling with our country and its future. As good a person as she might be, and as good a candidate for some office as she might be sometime in the future, she is not a good candidate for the office of vice president of the United States, which in this case is really being a candidate for the office of president of the United States.

This is an insult to Americans of every party. Senator McCain has put politics above prudence, being a maverick above being mature, wisecracking above wisdom; and has shown to me that he cannot make good and appropriate choices when the selections are critical, and instead chooses to play games with the future of our country.

I am a lifelong Republican, who was leaning to Senator Obama — not so much because of Senator McCain but because of what he has been a part of for these past eight years. Now I am convinced I will vote for Obama.  I know we will hear that Obama has no more experience than this selection of McCain. It is obvious however, that Obama has demonstrated during a hard-fought campaign that he is an able and well qualified individual and ready to take on the responsibilities for which he has been nominated.  Obama’s first presidential selection of Sen. Joe Biden speaks volumes regarding Obama’s maturity, wisdom and concern for us citizens.

It is unfortunate that our system has come to this. It is a system that allows the future of our country to be played with as though it were a poker chip in a game called politics.  It is a pivotal year, and one that begs for the wise and mature involvement of us all.

Jim Ihrig, Lincoln

Another big blow-out

One thing the surprise pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be the Republican vice presidential nominee did was to discredit the proposed ban on affirmative action here in Nebraska.

Nobody can argue that Palin was the most qualified pick for vice president. She was chosen primarily because she is a woman.

So if the Republican Party and the Democratic Party both support affirmative action why are we trying to rewrite Nebraska’s Constitution?

Because some Californians with money feel that they can tell us how to run our state?

I predict the ballot initiative to ban affirmative action in Nebraska government will be as big a blow-out as the Cornhuskers’ first three football opponents.

Ricky Lee Fulton, Omaha


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Ricky wrote on September 6, 2008 2:50 am:
" Boy there are so many questions about the Gov. of Alaska it makes me afraid.
One thing I want to know; which books was she considering banning when she threatened to fire her local librarian? Was it "The Scarlet Letter"?
Or "The Memory Keepers' Daughter"?
I hope we can get these and other questions answered before November.

Ricky From Omaha "

 UpInSmoke wrote on September 6, 2008 4:44 am:
" Why do some folk's still believe that Afirmative Action is still necessary? There have been numerous articles in the press in the past several month's that have all said that caucasions will be the MINORITY in the united states within the next 40 years. I'm all for the most qualified person getting the job or what ever it is that they are wanting to do. To just simply admit somebody to a university or give somebody a job besed strictly on their race or gender is just WRONG! I've felt the effect's of Afirmative Action first hand, I've been passed over several times when try'ing to get a job because I was white & male, not because the person who eventually got the job was better qualified than myself. It's about time Afirmative Action is kicked to the curb! "

 Are you kidding wrote on September 6, 2008 5:50 am:
" Ricky said, "Nobody can argue that Palin was the most qualified pick for vice president." Are you serious? If something would happen to McCain, do you really want her to be in charge of this country? Before they announced her as the running mate, was she on the top of your list to be VP...I doubt it, you probably had never heard of her like most of the country. The only reason they picked her is to try to pick up the female voters that were tagged for Hilary, which is riduculous because they agree on almost nothing. "

 Rob wrote on September 6, 2008 6:54 am:
" Paul is surprised that Heineman won't take a stand. Heineman is doing the
same thing when it came to the water issues out in the southwest. This man
did nothing & is still doing nothing. Why is he in office, cause this is
a RED state. Common sense is no longer here in the RED state. Liberal
Republicans running it, along with over taxation, unfair taxation.
Jim have you noticed how McCain is using his new VP to do all the talking. People must remember she is not the one that is going to have
the say so in Washington or running this country. Nor do I wnat her to. From heaing what she does, she uses her power to get rid of anyone that she doesn't like, Dangerous mix. People are not using their heads. Allowing the Electoral, Supreme court decided who will run this country is
dangerous & look at what it cost us the last 8 years,4200 lives,that isn't counting the Twin tower deaths. Yet the people haven't learned a
thing. "

 Comm UnSense wrote on September 6, 2008 8:11 am:
" I have to assume that Joe is basing his opinion of Sarah Palin on the one speech she gave at the pep rally in St. Paul. How about getting to know her better before you dismiss her as unqualified? After all, she's only running for vice president and she has more experience than the democratic party's candidate for president. Just because he has campaigned longer doesn't mean he has had more experience. "

 Not conservative wrote on September 6, 2008 8:14 am:
" I call B.S. on letter. There is no way any sane Republican/Conservative would believe either Obama or Biden would be good choices for our country. Any person who believes bigger government/higher taxes is a rational response to the troubles facing America definetly does not beleive in conservative principles. "

 Redneck Hillbilly wrote on September 6, 2008 8:23 am:
" Despite what McCain says about the thorough investigation in the vetting of Sarah Palin, I content to you that is hogwash. You are going to see the skeletons come out of the closet in the next few weeks, and I predict she will be replaced before the elections. Just watch. "

 Not Again Please wrote on September 6, 2008 8:54 am:
" 3 for 3, outstanding LJS. Let me understand the positions here, I am obligated because it is "his" time to vote for Obama, based solely on the first black man in the white house line. Expierience and position of the candidate is not to be considered because it is "his" time, and the Republicans are just plain bad. Hillary is ground breaking because she was in the race for president but unfortuanately for many came in second, outstanding for a woman, but Palin wins the VP nod and we are now free and able to attack a woman who dares to run for office. I am checking the diversity, race and gender textbook I have, I can not find the chapter explaining why a Republican woman is not as qualified as a Democrat woman to run for one of the highest positions in the land. Now for position politics, our Gov decides to not take a position, yet Obama can vote "present" several times on issues he faced in his state assembly, in effect taking no position and that is OK with some here. Nebraska is a grass roots, hate to say the word "conservative" state in the resistant to change mode, and many are beginning to get tired of the race/gender arguements and attempts at any form of discrimination. Affirmative action has run its course, if we truely want to eliminate the problem we would not have to check boxes on an application for the purpose of continueing this discrimination and reverse discrimination cycle. Which party is scared of a female penatratring the "glass ceiling" in DC politics, since it is not thier woman? Gender discrimination?
Another wonderfull day of reading in store for us, the left praising these letters and "facts" and the right disagreeing, and let the name calling begin. "

 Mike the Realist wrote on September 6, 2008 9:13 am:
" It is letters like these that make me ever so happy that I will not be voting for EITHER party's candidate for ANY public office. Thank you, sheep, for bleating the truth about your parties' incompetent representatives for the highest office in the land. Baaaaaaa "

 LMR wrote on September 6, 2008 9:23 am:
" So McCain's VP is one for change and Obama's pick for VP is the same ol' status quo of a 35yr term senator who offers no change. Go figure? BTW, Biden only got 3% of the vote from his home state when running. He's ballot box poison and the lefties now know it. This was the lefties worst fear and it came true, lol. "

 Palin could be right wrote on September 6, 2008 9:32 am:
" Ricky,
Maybe the book she wanted banned was the Anarchist's Cookbook. There are some books that are indecent and maybe shouldn't be able to be picked up at the local public library. "

 NCRI wrote on September 6, 2008 9:51 am:
" Mr. Ries talks from both sides of his mouth. He wants "equality," but he wants us to vote against the Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative, which will provide exactly that. What Mr. Ries actually wants, if he opposes NCRI, is preferencees for women and minorities, and discrimination against white men. Nebraska will approve NCRI, and then the state will be prohibited from judging people on the color of their skin or whether or not they have a Y chromosome. That's equalty; Mr. Ries prefers not to see it. "

 Jan wrote on September 6, 2008 10:40 am:
" So many conservatives are a comical group. They rant and rave that dem's will bring big government and taxes while ignoring the fact that every time they are in power we get bigger government and deficit spending. I'm curious what they think the result of a bankrupt United States will have on the world and their lives? Conservatives continue to babble the same tired rhetoric without thinking about the results or even seeing the truth of their own party. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on September 6, 2008 11:35 am:
" I am amazed at the sexism of people like Fulton, who assume that Sarah Palin was picked 'because she's a woman'. Palin has energized the GOP base, invigorated McCain's campaign, and caused a huge increase in campaign donations. She gave perhaps the best convention speech I've heard in recent years on Wednesday, with a malfunctioning teleprompter to boot. Rush Limbaugh, who, whether you like him or not, is tremendously influential among conservatives, called the pick 'brilliant'. Biden, in contrast, has induced little more than a loud, collective yawn. So which is the more qualified for the task of running mate? "

 Real Life wrote on September 6, 2008 11:39 am:
" In case you Republicans haven't noticed. The Republicans have NEVER been Conservative. At least not in the past 230 years. They talk a good game to keep the myth going. Republican presidents have dumped nearly a 10 Trillion dollar debt upon the future of America by not using their veto power. That is not Family values, people. In fact its Unamerican and downright Treasonous. "

 Greed wrote on September 6, 2008 11:41 am:
" I'm am really sick of the knee-jerk responses who care only about their taxes. If a president cuts taxes, and still dumps billions and trillions of debt on our descendants, they are considered a hero in the Republican society. If a private citizen did that, they would be imprisoned. Have some ethics and morals, people. "

 Palin is Extreme wrote on September 6, 2008 11:58 am:
" Sarah Palin has some of the most extreme political views....censorship, wacko religious beliefs, no abortion even in rape case, even morning after pill from rape or incest, no birth control, abuse of power. Be afraid America. She wants a theocracy of her own choosing. "

 lino wrote on September 6, 2008 3:03 pm:
" Palin does NOT have more experience than anyone in the presidential election. She has a very brief record of small-town mayor and governor. That's it. No experience in national policy, no experience in foreign policy, nothing. Maybe she was a good mayor, a decent governor for the last 20 months, but she is NOT more experienced. That is a propaganda talking point from the right and sadly, people are actually buying it.

This is the woman who was a sports reporter when Barack Obama was out with the people of Chicago, actively helping them find solutions to everyday problems.

Oh, right.. but she thinks that's not "actual responsibility."
She's shrill and cynical. "

 Inadvertently ... wrote on September 6, 2008 3:26 pm:
" Gerard Harbison actually got it right this time! Absolutely, Sarah Palin energized the campaign, brought in donations, and might actually help McCain win the election. All of those are great qualities for winning an election, but she doesn't have the temperament or experience to help run this country. Yes, I do believe having a Harvard law degree, being a scholar of our Constitution, and having experience in national government is much better experience for this office than someone who attended five colleges in six years to get an undergraduate journalism degree, was a sportscaster, a small-town mayor and governor of sparsely populated state. A month ago she said she didn't know "exactly what it is the Vice President does." Rush called the pick "brilliant"! Too bad nobody has actually called her brilliant. "

 JHC wrote on September 6, 2008 3:49 pm:
" As we can readily see here as predicted, Palin is being called the "Devil" by those who beleive in the mandated state religion of "no religion". Having a belief other than the state religion favored by the left is called "wacko", excellant example of diversity from the party of diversity. Having views contrary to your belief system is the nature of American freedom. We could play this game of Obama's radical belief in a form of socialized society, contrary to American founding values. But that would be futile with the indoctrinated left that follows this comment column. And many call the right "humorous" in thier belief system. "

 Laurie wrote on September 6, 2008 5:04 pm:
" Gerard, Palin was picked because the GOP desperately needed to deflect attention away from the war, health care and the economy and back to their red herring cash cows: guns, abortion and "family values". Hopefully, most folks will see through that crap this time, and demand some real discussion of issues that affect the majority of Americans. "

 Yup wrote on September 6, 2008 5:41 pm:
" OK, I give up. Apparently, How Dare! a woman (strike that a Republican woman) Think! that she is going to be allowed to run for anything of importance. Sure, we'll let her have some small position in government to keep her shut up but How Dare! she run for Vice President. I watched an early news coverage of Obama during the Ohio primary. They asked a blue collar worker who he could support, and he answered (I kid you not), "I would rather vote for a black man than a woman". There you have it. So I'm going to tell my granddaughter not to try so hard in school, because no matter what success you achieve, you'll never be allowed to be anybody. And all you had better tell your daughters, and yes, tell your mother to Sit Down!, Shut UP!, and don't DARE to become anybody, because you'll have hundreds of people putting you down in spite of your accomplishments. I'm angry, sad, and FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE ASHAMBED TO BE CALLED AN AMERICAN. I stil love American, however, right now can't stand to talk anymore with the general populace. I"m hiding comments on Journal Star articles. "

 well wrote on September 6, 2008 7:07 pm:
" it is the Good Ole boys over the years that have gotten us into this hole we are in as Americans. I plan on writing in my vote and Women will always be bashed in this country. Don't ever expect the men in this country to treat women equally when it comes to any job. I didn't vote for G.W. either time and there isn't an honest candidate to vote for now. See what money does to people when it isn't coming from the heart. Money won't getcha to heaven. "

 Questioning Everything wrote on September 6, 2008 7:30 pm:
" Please inform me on the rationale on the Democrat selection of an inexpierienced first term Senator, who is foregoing a total winning ticket with Hillary as VP, and going with a old practiced liberal voter for VP. So many here have all the answers on the McCain/Palin issue, but can not explain with any clearity how Obama/Biden became thier standard bearer with a straight face. The chance on any crossover is severaly limited, and alienating the woman vote by the attacks on Palin is a stroke of genius, since woman are not allowed to run for President or VP unless they are Liberal Democrats. Any other woman can hardly be qualified. On any scandal count Hillary's numbers are way ahead by points on that one, but we will ignore that small imperfection. I am really confused by the stance of Democrats and the "intelligent" left side posters in the past few days comments. "

 Oh Gerard wrote on September 6, 2008 7:39 pm:
" The last poll I saw showed that the vast majority (I believe it was well over 80%) believe Sarah Palin was picked because she was a woman. That extends behind Democrat or Republican - most people in this country think that's the case. The curious thing is why a univeristy professor such as Harbison is so pro-Palin, considering she advocates teaching creationism in schools and banning book she finds objectionable. Is the right wing that anti-Obama that they're willing to accept/support anyone? Quite a sad day for independent thinkers, isnt' it? "

 NEPROUD wrote on September 6, 2008 7:53 pm:
" I wonder how Gerard (the mighty Republican)feels after Palin stated she is AGAINST the initiative to ban affirmative action.He and the other persons involved in the initiative are just intimidated by educated women and minorities. and UPINSMOKE... how do you know you were passed up because you are a white male? How do you know for a fact that you were more qualified? According to your statement, (and Harbison's speech at his debate) the only people passed up for jobs are white males. If so, that would be illegal for companies to do so. Why is there an automatic assumption that whenever a woman/minority gets a job, it is an Affirmative Action hire? The Initiative will fail. Nebraskans DO NOT want a handful of closeminded males and rich Californians telling us how to run his great state!! "

 RussianMike wrote on September 6, 2008 8:06 pm:
" Some of you ask (rhetorically?) if Affirmative Action is still necessary. Look at this year's election. There are more non-white, non-male candidates in the mix then ever before.

Then again, all 42 of our past Presidents have been white males. With the exception of Geraldine Ferraro as Democratic VP nominee in 1984, neither of the major political parties have even taken the gamble of putting a non-white or female on the Presidential ticket.

And throughout the past year and a half, even now, I have heard people wonder, time and time again, whether America is really ready for a female or minority President.

I have heard more talk, from all sides of all camps, about who is playing "the race card" or "the gender card."

I have heard people criticize Hillary for not being feminine enough, for being too strong and emotionless - with an epithet that sounds a lot like "witch."

I have heard people criticize Hillary for being too feminine, for being too soft; she should either "man up" and play with the big boys, or shut up and go home.

I have heard people criticize Sarah Palin, not based on her resume or her political views, but based on her merits as a mother (pregnant teenager!) and whether it is really wise for her to head to Washington with a 5 month old son with special needs. Would anyone even have thought to mention this, if her husband were the one behind the podium and not Ms. Palin?

I have heard people use Barack HUSSEIN Obama as a derisive term. Because America may be ready for a black President, but a President of Muslim descent is entirely out of the question.

So. Do I think the time for Affirmative Action has come and gone? No, not particularly. I would be interested in reevaluating the ways Affirmative Action measures are implemented. Nonetheless, it seems clear to me that, despite marked advances, women and minorities still have to work harder (and prove more) just to catch up. "

 peb wrote on September 6, 2008 8:13 pm:
" The city of Wasilla had a population of 5,000 when Mrs. Palin was mayor. The city had zero debts when she became mayor. Mrs. Palin left the city of Wasilla $22 million in debt. The entire state of Alaska has a population of 670,000--less than twice the population of Omaha. The money earmarked for the "bridge to nowhere" was kept by governor Palin--just not spent on the bridge. Has Mrs. Palin been totally honest with us? "

 Jay wrote on September 6, 2008 8:17 pm:
" So does anyone on here really believe that Jim Ihrig is a lifelong Republican? :Crickets: I didn't think so. "

 Zoomie wrote on September 6, 2008 9:27 pm:
" Palin's crowning achievement (per herself) as mayor of Wasilla was building the town's sports arena, which supports local soccer, basketball and hockey.
One problem...apparently she totally messed the whole process up (a sign of an incompetent administrator), per local residents! Seems she pressed ahead with the project, spending millions to build roads, sewers, power lines, etc. BEFORE she actually had the land! Then she improperly used the power of eminent domain to steal the land from the real owner (not my view, but the view of the court appointed arbitrator, who recently awarded the land owner over $836,000 (six times what Palin originally projected it would cost!). This includes over $330,000 in interest, which the original landowner plans to appeal as too little. Meanwhile the legal bill is over $250,000 and still climbing! No wonder she left the city with $22 million in debt (over $3,000 per person)!
And now the GOP are trying (again) to game the system! When Troopergate broke, Palin invited an investigation and promised to cooperate. In a GOP-controlled legislature, a bi-partisan committee UNANIMOUSLY selected a Democrat to run the investigation (who in turn hired an outside independent investigator). It was always scheduled that he would take sworn depositions from Palin and 7 of her staffers, and issue his final report on Oct 31st. Then one day after McSame selected her, she suddenly hired a criminal defense lawyer, then announced she would not give a deposition under oath, then her 7 staffers said they wouldn't cooperate. The GOP run legislature said no problem, they'd let her give a statement without being under oath (but so far say her staff still should be sworn in). Now the McSame campaign, and some AK GOPers are claiming the Democrat in charge of the investigation is "politicizing" it, with the date of the report and demanding she be sworn in. He, in turn, dropped any requirement she be sworn in, and has agreed to issue a report five weeks earlier than planned, trying to prove he's not playing politics. But let's remember: the GOP always argue any Democrat can't be trusted to do an investigation! They demanded a Republican to run the Iran-Contra investigation of a Republican President, then demanded a Republican to investigate Bill Clinton (and then fired the first one, Fisk, when he concluded in just six months there was no crime by Bill or Hillary Clinton related to Whitewater...the same conclusion Ken Starr arrived at six years -- and $70 million -- later). Now the McSame campaign is demanding the entire Troopergate investigation be dropped, and Palin is indicating she will refuse to cooperate with the independent investigator!
They always claim the coverup is worse than the crime, but not for Republicans, since they continually rig the system to ensure the best outcome for themselves, and the worst one possible for a Democrat! "

 Standards wrote on September 6, 2008 10:04 pm:
" In the last week we’ve learned much about Ms. Palin. She attempted to censor the city library when she was mayor of Wasilla, attended 5 colleges in three different states over a period of 5 years to achieve an undergraduate degree in journalism, and as governor fired the head of the state patrol over his failure to fire her former brother-in-law as part of a personal vendetta.

She truly has what it takes to be President! At least by GOP standards… "

 Humm wrote on September 6, 2008 10:55 pm:
" Ya all have missed the point on Palin. Its the natural gas the they are
building a pipe line to the U.S. that McCain wants, and to drill for oil
in Alaska. McCain said himself that, "a V.P. doesn't do anything." The
card he played was, the gas, the oil and ha ha Obama we'll have the first
woman and maybe she'll end up being President!!! Otherwise no woman will
ever be treated other than a second class person unless she starts her
own business or is a blonde!! As a woman, I was made an executive and
told nearly everyday by my male boss that my title "meant nothing." And
that was how he treated me!!!!! "

 To Harbison wrote on September 7, 2008 12:16 am:
" maybe NMR or Rush has demolished some gray matter if you think there not more qualified Republicans of either gender out there as VP candidates.Palin is not the most qualified but I have to admit she falls in line with the arrogance and odiousness of the GOP . Actually it's refreshing to see you support a woman being chosen instead of a man for a change. "

 New to Lincoln wrote on September 7, 2008 3:27 pm:
" The Dems picked Obama because he is black the Repubs picked Palin because she is a woman so what ever way you vote you will either be a racist or a sexist. Personaly I am going with the most experience thats McCain/Palin. "

 eliya wrote on September 7, 2008 8:32 pm:
" Right: Democrats (registered voters across the country, in elections and caucuses) picked Senator Obama.

Republicans (strategists, party elites, and McCain - after meeting her ONCE) picked Palin.

hmm.. one was the result of the democratic process, the other was the result of party elite pandering in a desperate election year.

but you're right.. totally the same. "

 McCain is Filthy Rich wrote on September 7, 2008 9:05 pm:
" I'm curious. Is it members of the same group posting here in favor of McCain who are always crying about how the "fat cats" are screwing over the common man? Because McCain and his wife own so many houses and condos that he couldn't even answer a straightforward question about how many residences he owns without having to consult with "his people". I don't know about you, but to me, that sounds like somebody who might be just a _tad_ out of touch with someone working a 9-to-5 job at Walmart. And Palin? Everything I've read from people who dealt with her in Alaska makes her sound like a spiteful, vindictive, power-mad witch. Do you really want to put Daddy Warbucks and Cruella deVille in the Whitehouse? "

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