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YOUR LETTERS
Liberals really know meaning of 'borked'; Constitution does not protect AK-47s; Put country first, party second
Monday, November 12, 2007
Liberals really know meaning of 'borked'
Re Jonah Goldberg's column, "How 'borking' became a staple of politics," Oct. 29: Here's what we liberals think "Borking" means:
Extras
In 1973, Richard Nixon tried to stop the Watergate investigation by firing the special prosecutor investigating him, Archibald Cox. His attorney general resigned rather than do this. Then his assistant attorney general resigned rather than do it.
They finally dug up someone in the Justice Department with so few scruples that he did it and created the largest constitutional crisis of our time. The name of this political hack? Robert Bork.
When someone does something like sending congressional aides from Tom DeLay's office in Washington to Florida to riot in the hallway to stop the 2000 recount, we like to say we got "Borked."
Sharon Robinson
Piqua
Constitution does not protect AK-47s
A close friend's son was recently shot to death — an innocent bystander in the wrong place at the wrong time. The weapon: an AK-47.
The argument of National Rifle Association and other right-to-bear-arms proponents is simply antiquated. The Constitution was written more than 200 years ago. It hardly has the same interpretation today. Let's give everybody a single-shot muzzle loader if we want to hide behind the Constitution.
We give awards to rap groups who promote violence in their form of music. We give awards to television shows that are based on mobster violence.
It's time to attack crime and protect our citizens in this country with the same vigor and monetary effort we do in other countries.
Richard Isenbarger
Washington Twp.
Put country first, party second
Re "Candidate Hillary would be dream opponent for GOP", Oct. 24: Jonah Goldberg states why he believes the country wants change, and how some believe that means electing a Democratic president. He goes on to say that Democrats may be "misreading America" and points out the dissatisfaction with the Democratic Congress elected in 2006.
Two things seem to be largely overlooked.
• The Republicans have stood firmly behind Bush and refuse to be swayed by the majority of the American public.
• "The Republicans' intense dislike of Hillary will underscore the idea that a vote for her is a vote for more of the same rancor."
It would appear the only way to get rid of rancorous partisanship is to elect only Republicans, since, like the schoolyard bully, they can't "play nicely with others."
It is time for all of us to think what is best for the country first and our party second.
Lois Seibel
Lewisburg
'Dear Abby' view
is newsworthy
Re "Abby sentiments not Page 1 news," Nov. 3: I agree that the story on Dear Abby's support of same-gender marriage would be better suited to the Life section, but I take exception to the letter writer's other conclusions. This story is newsworthy precisely because Dear Abby is so mainstream.
As president of Dayton PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), I applaud Dear Abby's stand on marriage equality. The column's support of fair treatment for gays and lesbians began in the '80s with the original Abby's response to parents whose child had just come out to them.
In a recent poll conducted by an independent firm, a significant majority of Ohioans favors hospital visitation rights for gay partners, inheritance rights, and a ban on housing/job discrimination. A majority does not yet support marriage equality, but the percentage of people who do is constantly increasing.
It is just a matter of time until Dear Abby's opinion is the majority, even in Ohio.
Nancy Tepfer
Beavercreek
