Sound Off!: May 2008

Friday, May 23, 2008

Apology

Subject: Rev. Jeremiah Wright: Pariah or Prophet?

Since it is current, I will post my comments concerning your Reverend Wright article first. I read it today in our small Jasper, Georgia newspaper, the Pickens County Progress. Your general theme seems to be one of apology for his racist rants; notwithstanding, there are several factual errors. While you were quick to praise the work he and his church have done in the field of HIV prevention and treatment, you failed to mention one of the most egregious claims he has made- that the United States Government deliberately developed and spread the HIV virus as a tool to eradicate the black race. I'm sorry, there's no way you can "take this out of context". Little wonder, then, that you failed to mention it. I also fail to see how "God damn America" can be taken out of context. He is not stating a fact, he is asking for God's damnation on this country!

Service as a Marine does not ameliorate his unpatriotic remarks. One has only to remember that Lee Harvey Oswald was also a Marine; Timothy McVeigh was a regular army soldier. Benedict Arnold was a great patriot and freedom fighter, until he got passed over for promotion. I consider Wright's remarks to be no less treasonous than Arnold's actions; perhaps they are protected by First Amendment rights, but they are certainly not worthy of praise and adulation.

Hiding behind "black liberation theology" and the history of the black church won't mitigate his castigation, either. History is what it is- to be studied, interpreted, and acted upon. Reverend Wright's rhetoric is little different from the "Bloody Shirt" which the Radical Republicans waved for fifty years after the Civil War- meant to divide, arouse passions, and insure their continued political supremacy. I suspect Reverend Wright's motives are less theology, and more politics. In conclusion, your article seems to say that sound bites used to condemn Reverend Wright are all wrong. I wonder why you fail to rail against Democrats who use the same tactics? I have read and listened to many other explanations of Wright's rants, and my conclusion differs considerably from yours: he is as racist as David Duke, albeit coming from the left rather that the right (no pun intended).

With respect to your article on LTC McSally and her crusade not to be bound by Sharia law, I find myself straddling a wide ditch. On the one hand, I applaud her audacity to take on the system concerning special treatment for American women officers; I certainly have no love for their archaic practices. On the other hand, having grown up as an Army "brat", and spent seven and a half years on active duty, I feel you have won a pyrrhic victory. The military culture has changed glacially since my service in and before Vietnam, but reaction to one who "rocks the boat" is still omnipresent. Regardless of her sterling record, I doubt very seriously if she will ever be promoted to Colonel (O-6), or, if she should sneak by that, to Brigadier General (O-7). As we used to say, "She is dead meat to the vultures on the promotion board".

--William G.

Humane

Subject: Killing in Secret: Death by Lethal Injection

My question is, if they can euthanize an animal painlessly, for example as in that tragic horserace incident the other day, then why can't they execute prisoners that way? I personally do not believe in the death penalty myself, but as long as we have it, it should be as humane as possible.

--Alice L.

God Bless

Subject: Rev. Jeremiah Wright: Pariah or Prophet?

I thoroughly enjoyed the article- Rev Jeremiah Wright: Pariah or Prophet. I saw his interview with Bill Moyers and it was uplifting. He was poised, confident and truthful. Americans must face the dilemma that racism is still prevalent in the world. As difficult as it be we must face the truth and do something positive about it. We must all look at the "WHOLE PICTURE". Rev. Wright is telling his perspective and I agree with a lot of what he is saying. We must treat one another with respect and love one another as God loves us. It is not easy but if we don't try we will never reconcile our differences.

I commend you for your article. I think it was right on. Thank you for printing it. Hopefully it will change someone's heart.

God Bless You and God Bless America!!

--Rose B .

Monday, May 05, 2008

Point

Subject: Rev. Jeremiah Wright: Pariah or Prophet?

Point well made. Point taken. Thank you for being a voice of reason in such an unreasonable situation.

--Sandra D.