Victoria Ayotte Brown: Idols, guns and the Star Ship
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Holiday weeks are typically slow for interactivity, and such was the case during Thanksgiving week. The top comment-getter was “Letters, 11/24: Electoral College outdated,” with 62 published. Leland Stege’s letter said the popular vote is easily obtainable using modern communication, so the Electoral College is unneeded. Suzie Stroman’s letter also gained quite a bit of notice; she urged people not to idolize Barack Obama.
“I am 56 and haven't seen anyone put up on a pedestal, and still haven't. I think that after the last eight years some people are very excited about a change of leadership and direction in this country,” Dan commented.
Founder Follower wrote on the Electoral College: “The purpose of the Electoral College is to ensure that every state in the union has its needs and issues addressed in the presidential election. Abolish the Electoral College (and) Nebraska as well as other flyover states will be ignored in the election while the candidates battle for the high population states.”
Future of high-rise project uncertain; 49 comments published.
This one had very few positive comments. Criticism ran the gamut from lamenting the loss of the Star Ship theater and Taste of China to criticizing former Mayor Coleen Seng and development in general.
"Oh, great! They take away our Star Ship theater and now this,” Gary said. “Seems like Lincoln's got too big of ideas, and in the process they’re taking away everything that matters to the people.”
Hope It Works Out wrote: “It is unfortunate if this project doesn't go through. Getting this property on the tax rolls is important. Private enterprise that produces jobs, retail space and tax revenue for the city is important to our success.”
Demand for guns, applications for purchase up since election; 42 comments published.
Commenters debated the merits of gun control as well as whether the Second Amendment means guns should not be restricted.
“As a former Army officer, I had my fill of weapons while in the military. I don't understand why the average American can't get by with a simple shotgun or basic rifle. Why do they want a weapon made for military purposes?” Dan commented.
Perhaps said: “Perhaps it's fear of what Obama is going to turn this nation into that is driving people to buy guns to protect themselves. I'm glad I've already got mine. It is my constitutional right!”
Letters, 11/25: Face the consequences; 41 comments published.
College student Zeb Van Pelt wrote that people facing foreclosure need to face the consequences of their poor financial decisions. Most commenters voiced support for Van Pelt’s letter.
“Zeb, well spoken. What a bunch of spoiled brats we have in this country. Spend, charge, let the taxpayer bail us out,” RJ wrote. “In our 50 years of marriage, we never overspent, made our house payments, never owned a new car till eight years ago, and still driving it. The bills came first.”
But Cole said, “When someone gives you a loan, it had to pass some kind of board of control, and we wrongly assumed those people knew what they were doing. … There are a lot of hardworking average people who do not budget their money well and spend way too much. That’s not why we’re in this crisis. The overextension and greed is much higher up the chain.”
Letters, 11/28: Founding fathers Christian; 37 comments published.
Julie Benesch’s letter contained various quotes from the founding fathers supporting Christianity. Most commenters criticized the letter, but there appears to be plenty of evidence on both sides.
“Quoting from miscellaneous speeches and letters does not trump the fact that the Constitution which the founders gave us was definitely not Christian. Anyhow, one can find quotes in the opposite direction from those used by Ms. Benesch,” Edgar Pearlstein said.
Mark wrote: “This once great nation was founded on Christian principles. Sadly, these days, America has become a godless heathen nation who has forgotten God. Since we saw fit to kick God out of our lives, our schools, and our government, is it any wonder our children are killing each other or being sexually active or are abused at an early age. … These are the results of abandoning God.”
Reach Victoria Ayotte Brown at 473-7338 or vayotte@journalstar.com.
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