Letters, 11/7: Obama wins, America loses
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Hope.
Saturday night my Cornhuskers lost. They will survive.
The next day my Green Bay Packers lost. They will also survive.
Tuesday night America lost. Will we survive? I pray to God we will.
I pray to God that my grandchildren will learn the Pledge of Allegiance and be taught to place their hands over their heart. I pray that they will learn to love America and stand in respect when the national anthem is played.
I pray that they will know the value of hard work and would choose to work for less if necessary than receive welfare checks, and teach someone how to fish instead of just giving them a fish.
I pray that when they are the best qualified for a position they applied for, they will receive it.
I pray that my grandchildren will not be penalized for hard work, making good business decisions, hiring other people, becoming successful and lose most of it to the government so the government can share the wealth.
I pray that my grandchildren will be able to go to the church of their choice and use the Lord’s name in public.
I pray that they will know the value of human life and not endorse abortion.
I pray that when my grandchildren’s neighbor is hurting they will help the best they can instead of thinking it is not their responsibility but the government’s.
I pray that when my grandchildren are in a group of people who are preaching hatred they will get up and walk out instead of staying there for 20 years.
I pray that my grandchildren will realize that they live in the greatest nation in the world and do what they can to improve it.
I pray my grandchildren know they are judged by the company they keep.
I pray to God that the government will get out of their lives and allow them to succeed.
Gail Skinner, Lincoln
You get what you pay for
Jackie McCullough’s Local View column in the Wednesday Lincoln Journal Star provides important information and perspective on issues other than cost that are involved in the Antelope Valley Project.
These were missing from the Journal Star’s series of articles, which seemed focused only on the cost of this project. As anyone knows who has endured any major renovation project, having an experienced contractor who is competent to deal with any surprises is absolutely essential.
Such necessary expertise does not come cheaply, however. Moreover, as we all know from our own experiences, one generally gets what one pays for.
Certainly the cost of the Antelope Valley Project is newsworthy, but providing the perspective that educates voters regarding the reasons for what seem like cost increases (as done in McCullough’s article) is also essential.
Anthony F. Starace, Lincoln
Ayers beyond just radical
Two articles from Sunday’s Journal Star detail the recent William Ayers controversy and describe Ayers as a “former radical,” a “radical activist in the 1960s and ’70s” and “a 1960s and ’70s radical.”
Neither article reports that Ayers participated in terroristic activity and has never clearly repented or repudiated this activity.
There have doubtless been numerous “radicals” and “activists” from both ends of the political spectrum to speak at UNL.
The controversy is a result of Ayers’ notorious means of propagating his cause, not the content of his speech or beliefs. The failure to report this relevant information is at best a disservice to the Journal Star’s readers.
Jeffrey J. Springer, Lincoln
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Sounds like one of those goofy e-mails that the Pat Robertson and James Dobson send out. "
How sad that you, at this historical moment in time, choose not to be inspired by the election to be president of a man who is the very embodiment of the American Dream, an event that has people around the world rushing to the streets to celebrate with tears of joy in their eyes. Instead, you choose to be cynical and fearful. Your letter reminds me that I also need to include you and your ilk in my future prayers. "
I pray that real wages keep pace with increasing productivity, instead of stagnating while the distribution of income widens.
I pray that people spend less energy fretting over the lie that someone is trying to take away their religious freedom, and more energy on living their religious principals while repecting other's freedom.
I too pray that my children value human life, and reject torture in our name and the flawed application of the death penalty.
I pray that when the problems are too large for individuals or charities to solve on their own, that people realize that the government is just an extension of ourselves, and are open to government solutions when they make sense.
I pray that people walk in another's shoes lest their judement be clouded by ingorance.
I pray that fear and division recede and we work together to make this country even greater than it is. "
I think someone needs to pray for you. "
give the guy a chance. when GW won in 2004 the religious right said it was gods will, well guess what so is Obama. "
Lyndon Johnson said that he would rather have "his enemies inside the tent urinating out than outside the tent urinating in". Abe Lincoln said "keep your friends close but your enemies closer". Agree with them or not, they were both very effective Presidents.
Compare that to George Bush. He is surrounded by yes-men brown-nosers and is so intellectually incurious that it would be surprising if he could ever make a good, balanced decision.
Only unreasonable people like George Bush are so rigid that they only want to hear ideas from their yes-men that support his own corrupt beliefs. God bless Obama "
I forsee the constitution being restored after being badly damaged by Bush & Co. We will no longer have the gov't snooping through our mail, snail or e-mail, listening to our phone calls or going through our homes without a warrant. Our rights to choose what we do to our bodies will not be restricted and we will be able to worship, or not and to whatever god, allah, yahwe or whatever as we please. And no, there will be no redistribution of wealth like some claim. The redistribution will come because of job creation here and not overseas. There will actually be a middle class. No more of the rich and the working poor that the current administration tried to force on us and McCain supported by giving all the tax cuts to the rich and none to the working class.
Hold you head up high because a bright, new future is ahead of us if you believe that we can work together for a better country. "
I did hear on the radio that some folks think that now with the "Change" in progress that they don't have to pay for gas now, nor their mortgage, etc. I would like a piece of that pie. I just don't know how to go about it....... Oh well, back to work. "
Your comments about fish, are puzzling? President Obama is all about hard work, have you not looked into what he has done with his life? Please explain to me how helping your neighbor, someone who perhaps...was ill, lost their job and is homeless...wrong? No one is asking for a handout...but I believe as Obama does, that we have a moral obligation to help those in need, just like Jesus preached to "help the poor".
I bet, your taxes will be lower with Obama in the White house
Obama honor's life, he is not PRO abortion, he believes that WOMEN not men need to make that difficult and personal choice, he wants abortion to be a rare thing, by offering birth control and education to those who are sexually active. WHY, DO YOU NOT HONOR Life already born?? PLEASE answer that....what about the thousands of children who have died in Iraq, by our occupation there?
Isn't it grand that your Grandchildren, now see many things are possible with hard work, that a black man...can become President...what a joyful thing for them!
My dear...Government has never been so entrenched in our lives as it has been for the last 8 years, their involvement in No Child left Behind is a good example. (Which by every measure is a failure) I suggest you educate yourself on facts and be grateful we live in a country that has the ability to think for themselves and go beyond the lies you have been fed.
For my children, I'm thrilled that we finally have a president committed to protecting our earth, for my children, I'm thrilled we now have a president with some intellect, for my children, I'm happy that we will have a president with GOOD judgment about our national security and a president that will raise our leadership globally. My children...soon will not have to be worried bout unsafe imports from countries whose safety standards are lax "
I'm pretty sure the responsibility for these items begins at home. I learned the anthem and the pledge from my parents, and they instilled a healthy love and respect for country in me.
Unless President Elect Obama comes to your grandchildren's house or he issues a proclamation banning these items, you only need to pray for your continued capacity to do the right thing. "
i pray that the cornhuskers beat the jayhwaks & that my latte' is made with just the right amount of sugar and isn't so hot that it burns my tongue. "
If you ever finish with your prayers, you may want to consider getting behind this president and working together to fix the immense problems created by the outgoing administration. You may find that the world will still make sense and nobody will be depriving you of your important values. "
I get soooo tired of people who vote based on one issue... namely their religion.
I'm sure you sat down and wrote this letter thinking it was turning out to be some literary masterpiece. It came off as comedy gold to me. LOL.
Here's an idea, how about you help raise those grandchildren you're so worried about to be good people, and quit being such a drama queen. "
Bush is gone, America wins. See, Bush may be a good guy, good father, good friend, good husband, he may even have Americas best interest at heart. But as president he is incompatent, lacks the intelligence to see the nuances of situations, and sourounds himself with inteligent but evil people who used their influence over him to start undeeded wars, deny children healthcare, run the middle class into the ground, all so they could line their own pockets.
Gail, if you listened to Obama, or even McCain instead of AM radio you would know that Obama shares your opinions "
You've got more faith, apparently, in the Green Bay Packers and the Nebraska Cornhuskers than the United States of America.
It is sad to think that even people of the right-wing fringe (which apparently includes you, Gail) do not see the historic nature of this election, and that we have taken a huge and dramatic step towards being "a more perfect" union.
To Gail - and those who agree with him - remember that we live in a democracy which values freedom of speech and the ability of the citizenry to change our government by the ballot and not the bullet. On Tuesday, the people of this nation spoke in a very symbolic way. Even if you do not agree with the outcome, you should be proud of our nation. As I watched the images coming across the screen on Tuesday night, I saw a nation with renewed hope and confidence. A nation which now truly knows that perhaps anyone can become President of the United States. I saw a nation which had in large part rejected the politics of fear and division.
Gail - YOU are the one who needs our prayers now. "
If you want your child to pray in school, send them to a parochial school. "
plan and Will. Have you not read about the Great Flood, or Sodom & Gomorrah?? We can only study and live according to God's Will and be
thankful for His Blessings. Sometimes He answers our prayers and other
time He does not, we can only leave our lives in His Hands. Judging is
not what He put us here to do, but to know right from wrong we are to
learn from the Scriptures. "
We have a President-Elect that goes to church, and uses the Lord' name in public.
We have a President-Elect that puts his hand over his heart while reciting the Pledge of Allegience, AND stands with respect when the National Anthem plays.
We have a President-Elect that will teach a man to fish, and then won't turn around and pollute his fisheries.
We have a President-Elect that won't refer to the working middle-class as welfare recipients and whiners, actually cares about the middle class, and won't mention them only on an election year. A real tax cut for the Middle Class is long overdue.
We have a President-Elect that cares about our children and grandchildren and will work hard to stop the chronic Republican practice of dumping trillions of debt in their lap creating a a blighted, depressed American future.
We have a President-Elect, who when in a large group of people preaching hate, will get up and walk out of the Republican Convention, or turn off AM radio.
We have a President-Elect who would not dream of lying to Congress in order to drum up support for a war to impress his daddy, or drive the price of oil through the roof for his cronies.
We have a President-Elect that will actually work hard to prevent any future terrorist attacks, rather than ignore it, until it's too late.
We have a President-Elect that highly values human life. He will not treat our soldiers as disposable pawns in a game of "Cowboy drives up oil", or kill off half the country we are "saving". He will get what's left of our troops back home to their families, as soon as humanly possible.
We have a President-Elect that will hopefully re-instate some of the regulations, to keep big business, and corporate crooks in check, to stop them from draining our hard earned retirement savings.
We have a President-Elect that will govern with positive things about America, rather than ruling and campaigning in fear in order to chase his agenda.
We have a president elect who is intelligent, ethical, and decisive.
America wins! Your prayers have been answered. "
Meanwhile: I pray that all Americans get to go to the church of their choice. I pray that the lives of all Americans are held in value instead of small, select groups of Americans. I also pray that your grandchildren will get up and walk out of rallys like Sarah Palin was sponsoring during the election. I pray your grandchildren will live the kind of lives that will allow the government to not have to oversee their behavior. And I already know your grandchildren will live in a country that is great and that keeps getting greater as it did last Tuesday. How ironic that those you claim they love this country so dearly, try so hard to keep it from becoming the land of the free. "
why do so many (definitely not all) Christians lack compassion & are filled with such hatred for people who don't think like they do? "
I, a liberal who loves my nation, am extremely grateful to now have as President-Elect a man who actually taught Constitutional Law to students in law school, and who I believe will restore respect and obeying our Constitution to the White House! "
There is VAST difference between being 'not guilty beyond all reasonable doubt' and being 'innocent'. "
So the packers lost to the titans. Do you hate Tennessee?
So the Mccain lost to the Obama. Do you hate the majority of Americans?
Or were you talking about Prop 8? Yeah, America did lose that. "
I'm confused Gail. You voted for the fornicating, adulterer. Then you put down the faithful Christian, in your ranting letter? Are you attacking Christianity or are you just confused? "
P.S. and I even voted for the other guy. But you don't hear me whining about how the country is going to curl up and die...because it won't. "
The version of America that wraps itself up in the flag and sanctimoniously brays about patriotism yet fails to grasp the difference between that and jingoism.
The version of America that proclaims itself to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ but which ignores His teachings by promoting policies that make the rich richer at the expense of the poor and by pointing the finger of hate and derision at those who don't agree with your narrow minded politics.
A version of America that rationalizes greed and cares not about helping out those less fortunate, in direct contradiction to what Christ taught us.
The version of America that measures a person's love of country by whether he or she agrees with the agenda of the current president or wears a flag lapel pin (check out John McCain in the presidential debates).
The version of America that proclaims itself "pro-life', yet is only concerned with unborn babies but not the least bit with those already born into a life of misery and poverty and which supports capital punishment.
A version of America that pretends we don't need affirmative action to level the playing field for minorities after almost two centuries of discrimination.
A version of America in which the government is not in the business of improving people's lives unless they are white, rich, or members of corporations.
A version of America in which the government turned a record budget surplus into a deficit by providing a tax cut to the wealthy and by engaging in unnecessary hostilities against a country that posed no viable threat to our security and served no purpose other than useless political posturing.
And that version of America, frankly, I'd be very happy to lose. "
Quote from Proud Liberal:"How sad that you, at this historical moment in time, choose not to be inspired by the election to be president of a man who is the very embodiment of the American Dream..."
My response is, "How sad that at this historical moment in time, that President Obama and his wife did not speak much about how they ARE the epitomy of the American Dream, not just for blacks but for everyone!"
As for other nations and how they react....I cannot even imagine that anyone should care who we elect anymore than we care who they choose. They don't live here, and we don't live there! Countries will work together, or not, as it benefits them! "
I pray that we will now have a government who prefers to try to prevent wars before they start, rather than use pre-emptive strikes. I pray that our government will no longer be in bed (figuratively and literally) with lobbyists and the oil companies. I pray that we have a government which works for everyone, and not just the rich and large corporations. I pray that we will have a country were all men (and women) are created equal (including homosexuals). I pray in these hard times we will come together as a nation to work together to restore America to greatness. After all, there is not a black America or a white America; not a conservative America or liberal America; but a United States of America.
Gail, if you will actually listen to what Obama has to say rather than listen to the smears and propaganda, you will find out that a lot of what you think about Obama is false. Obama talks a lot about personal responsibility. He believes that if people are willing to work they should earn a living wage. He is not looking to give everyone handouts. He does not believe that government can solve all our problems. Obama states that nobody is pro-abortion, and we should try to reduce the need for abortion by reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies, and promoting the option of adoption. He is not Muslim and is not going to take “your God” out of you or your childrens’ lives. Tuesday night, McCain lost, not America. We had more people become involved in our political process than have for the past 100 years. People were involved for both parties. And not just by voting, but even before then, by making calls, knocking on doors, and volunteering their time. America won. Gail, I pray for you and all the other small-minded people like you. "
"...America's majority chose this man, so give him a chance."
How about he gets the same chance the last one got? Seems equal and fair to me.
MP wrote: "... We will no longer have the gov't snooping through our mail, snail or e-mail, listening to our phone calls or going through our homes without a warrant...."
What did you do to have them do that to you? They never did that to me. But, I don't think I was writing, phoning, or emailing anyone who would be of interest to them, nor did I have anything in my home they would want.
Common Citizen wrote:.."I did hear on the radio that some folks think that now with the "Change" in progress that they don't have to pay for gas now, nor their mortgage, etc..."
And, wouldn't you just love to be there when the light bulb goes on in the head of the little gal from FL as she realizes that Pres Obama isn't going to fill her tank and pay her mtg, as she thought?
Proud Mom wrote:..."Isn't it grand that your Grandchildren, now see many things are possible with hard work, that a black man...can become President...what a joyful thing for them!"
Do you not wonder at all why Barack and Michelle did not see that as a message worth giving over and over, instead of how they couldn't find anything to be proud of as Americans until he was nominated? It is wonderful...but, HE didn't give the message!
I was listening. What he is promising is not within the constrains of the Constitution. And, that is what we, as Americans, should be about. Not how fast we can get someone else to give us something...but,what we can earn for ourselves at whatever level we want to live.
Note: I was not given any choice on one side of the ticket. That was done for me by all the other states trying to impose their will. I was not a McCain fan.
Primaries for federal offices should be held, just as the General Election is held... all on the same day, and from the same hours local time. Let the state's do what they want with their issues at another time. And, one of the first things some states should figure out is how to let their people know they can vote absentee, and keep from standing in lines that may not end before 8pm, or else invest in more voting booths. "
It’s astonishing that you’re questioning whether America will survive with Obama after 8 years of Bush. In Obama we have someone who seemingly has the charisma of JFK, the integrity and intelligence of Jimmy Carter, the assertiveness and leadership of Ronald Reagan, and the political savvy and skill of Bill Clinton. He’s quite possibly the most solid and well rounded person we’ve ever had as president, and you’re worried he’s going to ruin the country that’s been run into the ground by maybe the worst president in history. Give Obama a chance Gail. I’m sure you’d expect the same thing from the rest of us if McCain had won. "
I'll support Obama as our President, but that does not mean I have to agree with his policies/views. Only time will tell if he can lead our country as well as he can speak about leading. My biggest prayer is that in 4 years our freedom is the same as it is now. "
I guess a lot of Nebraskans will now boycott Omaha. "
Also, the government needs to have some control over those they govern. This whole argument against President-Elect Obama wanting to "spread the wealth" is no different than what our country's graduated tax system was designed to do. Those that make substantially more than others should pay a higher percentage of tax to fund the government programs which benefit all Americans. I just don't see how someone can argue against this? I mean, it's not like someone making $1,000,000 annually has to turn over $750,000 to the government because they exceeded the so-called "earnings ceiling". They will just have to pay a higher percentage of tax on that $750,000. They are still making substantially more money than most Americans even after they pay the higher tax bill. "
You can't have it both ways-if you pray - then accept God's answer.
Also a lot of what Gail's praying for is what he should be teaching his grand kids at home.... "
I as one who proudly put her hand on her heart everyday as i say the pledge of alliegance and Also anytime the Star Spangle banner is sung. I am just as American as you and I hope and pray that you can see that as I do even if we disagree. I want as Maya Angelou said on to be with rest of country as she said the country has grown up. So I will join her and hope that we as americans unite and not divide.
I guess if Gail and others like yourself you cannot get past this all I can say is now you know how I felt when in 2000 and in 2003 as we went to war and was lied to about it.
To all those who agree with me aint it great to be American!!! "
I'm glad you will give president elect Obama the same chance as we gave Bush. We gave Bush carte-blanc on what he wanted for over 3 years, 2001-2003 and did not tear him down until the public found out how he deceived us in Iraq. I'm glad you will give Obama that same amount of time if not longer.
I will hold you to your word, ururpast that you will give Obama the same amount of time. "
Christy - do you mean the socialism and Marxism of Senator John Sydney McCain? Who while campaigning in Florida vowed to continue the socialist and Maxist policies of Social Security and Medicare? The policies that distribute my wealth to the elderly who are too lazy to work and the elderly who are too cheap to buy their own insurance? I assume you neither partake of either program, nor does any member of your family, what with your bootstrap American work ethic. "
Ururpast...what is your evidence that liberals don't beleive in personal responsibility? You mean the evidence of corporate America, who want capitalism when theyre making a profit, but socialism when they lose money? You mean the evidence of how conservatives SAY they beleive in personal responsibility, but attack a guy who worked his way to the top and came from a single parent family, and became president on his own hard work (Clinton) but champion the guy born to wealth and privledge, who never worked a day in his life, had business after business handed to him on a silver platter, and ran them all into the ground, waltzed into ivy league college on Daddy's money and legacy tradition, and maintained a c average ( too busy partying) . Dubyah.
Now here comes another guy who worked hard to get where is,( Obama) and again you all hate him. THAT evidence?
And since your all so fond of evidence, how about this? FACT: a look at the stock market over the past 100 years show that the market has done appreciably better under Democratic presidents. Look it up if you don't believe me. And FACT: Nebraska is a big Republican state. If Republicans are the party of lower taxes...then how come Nebraska taxes are so high? Hmmm?
And finally, there's no such thing as the "liberal media". the media is owned by big corporations, and they operate for profit. Hardly "liberal" endeavors. the major networks rely on commercial moneys to operate, therefore they have no motive, no reason, to slant things to the left. The DO however, have much reason to slant things to the right. Just because you don't like what you hear on mainstream news doesnt' mean it's been slanted to the left. It just means you don't like the truth. "
Thanks for clearing your beliefs and faith.
Tolerance of other people is so unchristian like. "
This is while the Republican spin machine calls you, working Americans, Welfare Recipients. I really don't think they should be calling 90+% of Americans, welfare recipients. It could tend to show their true colors while they are dumping billions into the corporate welfare of big business.
Luckily, their base doesn't think that deeply so they wont lose a lot of them. "
Obama's biggest challenges will be to try and fix the mess that guy has created.
Glass houses STF. Glass houses. "
I have never seen such divisive pathetic rhetoric. If you truly hold the opinions that you claim then I feel sorry for you! "
Seems like I'll have to excuse you for not understanding what Social Security is WTH. It's welfare. Socialism. The word is right there in the title. It's not something you pay into then withdraw upon retirement. The FICA and Medicare *taxes* I pay now go right back out the door to current recipients. The last I heard the average retiree got back a sum equal to the amount they paid into SS within four years.
Actually I think that anyone wanting to recieve SS or Medicare benefits should be required to sign a statement saying they understand it is welfare - before the get a single penny.
But actually I do support Medicare and Social Security. The point I'm making is that anyone calling Barack Obama a socialist for wanting a more progressive tax system had better not be cashing a social security or medicare check. Nor should any of their family members. To do so would be pure hypocrisy. Nor should they have voted for McCain/Palin who were apparently socialist as well since they support those two programs.
Inform yourselves. It's not that hard. "
I too voted for McCain Palin.
I have a question for you though. Who will raise your Grandchildren? Will Obama and his minions be in your house telling you what you can teach your grandchildren?
No you and your family will be there. President -Elect Obama is just a man -not a God or a person with unlimited reach. Everything he tries to inact will still have to go though Congress and the Senate.
You want to make a change? Do what I do - I write my state and Federal Senators daily stating what I think needs to be done. Afterall they represent us and we got them elected to their collective positions. So we have a right- no a duty to state our opinions and let them know what we want and believe in.
You even have the right to question the Pres. Elect Obama. Write him with your concerns. He can only be in office for 4 years then if he isn't doing a good job we have the ability to elect someone else.
I am willing to fight him every step of the way if he tries to change our Flag Our National Anthem Our 1st and 2nd amendments. I intend to get fully invested in helping rebuild the Republican Party. Starting now.
We can't wait until 2012 to start the good fight we have to get going now.
Don't just sit back and think this country is over because of the Pres. Elect. Start doing something now. That is your right. Your duty to protect the rights and the future for your grandchildren.
I have 9 year old twins whom we teach to decide on their own what their beliefs are and I make them fight for the right to agree with me on my political decisions. I even tell them they can't just decide based on who their priest or their parents tell them to vote for. They have to give me researched honestly thought about ideas to substantiate their decision.
That is what you can do for your grandchildren . Teach them right from wrong and give them a strong foundation from which to grow.
God will see us through these times. With all of our envolvement we can institute our changes too. "