Neal Obermeyer’s cartoon on Oct. 12 was reprehensible.

City Councilwoman Robin Eschliman and County Commissioner Bob Workman do not want keno dollars used to support an organization that encourages unhealthy sexual behavior. Obermeyer somehow twists this into an accusation that they want teenagers to commit suicide?

Apparently, Obermeyer has no idea how to respond to their position, so he must use a disgusting, dishonest, ad hominem attack.

Obermeyer owes them an apology for lying about their character, and the rest of us an apology for lying about the facts.

Jeffrey J. Springer, Lincoln

Celebrating Fox’s 10th

Congratulations on the commentary (LJS, Oct. 8) regarding the 10th year anniversary of the Fox News channel. The heading stated, “strikes a chord with red state Americans.” That is true, as far as it goes. It should strike a chord with all Americans because it is the first major television news outlet that is truly “fair and balanced.”

There is a mountain of evidence that exposes the liberal bias of NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, etc., over the past 40 years. Then Fox came along and it appears they are conservative. In truth it is right of the major media, but that is so because the major media is to the left (liberal).

Fox is now ahead in viewer ratings over all other so-called cable news, including CNN. That is with no thanks to the local coverage. For example, there was an outstanding program on Fox News commemorating the 10-year anniversary. But was there notice of such in the Journal Star TV Week? Not a whimper!

And you can get CNN, etc., on the limited basic tier (channel 22) but you have to pay extra to get the Fox News channel (channel 71) when it comes to Time Warner cable in the Lincoln market. Hence, only a privileged few can get access to Fox in this market.

Wayne Simpson, Lincoln

Develop corner with care

I’ve been a citizen of Lincoln for seven years, and I’ve found it to be nice as I become connected with the community with my teaching and musicianship.

Having said that, I feel I can voice my opinion on the future developments on the northeast corner of 13th and P streets, where the old Douglas 3 Theatre has been recently demolished.

In my hometown of Hastings, I have noticed and been disappointed that in every developing area of town, a bank would be built. It seems as though there are more banks than businesses. To me it’s a bit rigid and cold to have a lot of banks around town. Why is so much banking going on?

I think that the businesses and restaurants that are already in the 13th/P streets area make the area an enjoyable area of town. I realize I have a consumer’s opinion that is separate from folks who have money and resources to build and perhaps need to supply a “more convenient” branch location.

But I sure hope to not see another bank on 13th and P, like out on 48th and O streets. That area is on its way to looking like 14th/Superior, 27th/Superior, etc. Monoculturish, perhaps.

Perhaps I’m a bit preoccupied with banks; I would extend the notion of “bank” to any building/business that is not in the flavor of downtown Lincoln.

Banks are big, sturdy buildings that last forever, so let’s check to be sure that we develop this area thoughtfully.

Sam Packard, Lincoln

Tiger beetle for mayor?

The recent letter from Tom Dufresne (Oct. 6) concerning the ridiculous amount of money spent on the research over the “almost extinct” beetles on North 27th Street was right on target.

I cannot improve on his comments. The only thing I might add is perhaps one of those “bugs” should run for mayor of the city of Lincoln.

Richard L. Egger Sr., Lincoln

Support for Maxine Moul

We support Maxine Moul for Congress for the following reasons:

1.  Maxine Moul is a native Nebraskan — capable, dedicated and conservative — who has an exemplary record of public service.

2. We are increasingly concerned about the Republican Party moving ultra-right young candidates into “safe” Republican states such as Nebraska, and selling them to the electorate like cornflakes, using saturation TV advertising.

3. One-party government is inherently unhealthy and leads to corruption.

4. The Republican administration, rubber-stamped by a do-nothing Republican Congress, had created military disasters in both Iraq and Afghanistan through their incompetence.

Berwyn Jones and Martha Davies, Lincoln

Won’t get fooled again

As U.S. troop fatalities climb ever closer to 3,000 and the permanently impaired and maimed return to fade into forgotten statistics, one’s outrage spikes hearing the president dismiss his Iraq war adventure as a mere comma on the page of history.

With elections looming, the president hopes to shift the focus away from the Iraq debacle that he himself called the central front on the war on terrorism. In making his case for the war, he put the focus on the dangers of Saddam Hussein and offered a rosy picture once this dictator was removed; therefore no post-invasion planning was deemed necessary.

Before the Shock and Awe blitz began, Paul Wolfowitz addressed a congressional hearing and dismissed a general’s assessment of boots needed on the ground and the projected costs of the campaign as wildly exaggerated. Costs would be modest and offset by Iraqi oil revenues, he assured everyone. And so Congress and the country bought this fantasy and opened this pre-emptive war of aggression.

Now the National Intelligence Estimate and a consensus of other intelligence agencies are calling the war in Iraq a breeding ground for a new generation of terrorist leaders and operatives that are fueling global jihadist movements. Seemingly unable or unwilling to “get it,” the president clings to his logic-lacking “stay the course” rhetoric. The empty slogans of Bush’s vanity war are wearing thin like the playbook itself that seems without a final chapter called “Exit.”

In November, voters will have the chance to reject the sorry record of this president and his partisan rubber-stampers. As the president is fond of trying to say, “Fool me once, shame on me.” If somehow the Republicans remain in control of Congress, shame on us.

Gerry Larson, Lincoln