I love newspapers. I’m not totally thrilled with with pared-down, anemic version of its former self that my hometown newspaper (and it wasn’t the New York Times to start with) has become. But still and all, it’s where I turn to find out what’s happening right in my backyard.
I especially love the Letters to the Editor. It’s where I can find out what others are thinking and, sometimes, share my thoughts. I think it’s great that it can be interactive; I have written letters based on someone else’s letter before myself.
This past 4th of July I was moved to write a Letter to the Editor. My 8 a.m. beers had long worn off before I quickly composed this missive and hit send. July 19 must have been a slow letters day because that’s when it was printed.
I have just returned from the wonderful Fourth of July parade that the Scripps Ranch community puts on each year. Rep. Duncan D. Hunter was one of the parade dignitaries, and his words and actions during the parade left a very bad taste in my mouth; others witnessing this incident had a similar reaction.
Mr. Hunter left the parade route to interact with a man wearing a “Jesus Saves” shirt. He shook his hand and made the following statement, “I saw a bumper sticker that said, ‘Jesus Saves, Obama Spends.’ Good one, huh?”
Apparently Mr. Hunter feels it is patriotic to denigrate our president as we celebrate the Fourth, as well as to espouse partisan politics on what, to me, is a decidedly nonpartisan day. It was a rude and classless act that cast a pall over the parade for me and several of my neighbors. It was certainly not a show of patriotism.
The responses to this letter—in both the paper and the electronic comments section—included these choice reactions:
If the letter’s composer doesn’t like hearing the denigrating political comments, then she better move to another non-free speech country.
Did I say he wasn’t allowed to say it? No—I said it wasn’t the time or place. Big difference.
In all seriousness, there is medication to help you. Next time take a med instead of sharing pointless drivel from "The Wonderful World of Non-Issues" that is your life.
Technically, I think it would be the Letters Editor at the paper that decided my “pointless drivel” was worth sharing. And I’d rather debate the substance of an issue than launch ad hominem attacks.
Also? I was given the DOTD award from someone. I’m going to presume that stands for “Dummy of the Day.” Thanks! I’m so proud!
In my mind the original incident and the above comments have nothing to do with politics per say. They have to do with recognizing that in a civil society there is a time and a place (and a way) to discuss political issues.
In fact you disgust me. And if I see you in Scripps I will tell you that to your face. Especially on the 4th of July. Besides, the quip was perfectly appropriate in its context. In fact, I would argue it didn't go far enough. Perhaps if he remarked that Marty Emerald is a beastly corrupt union concubine you might have a case. Even though that's what I was thinking as she went by.
As for Yobammy, there is no time or place that a jab at someone whose political agenda has set a course to erase the legacy the founding fathers created on the original 4th of July wouldn't be appropriate. If you think otherwise then you are simply a sick individual and I applaud the fact Hunter has exposed you as such.
I’m not really get any facts out of the above, are you?
In all the many years that Randy “Duke” Cunningham marched in the parade (this would before he was arrested and convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion) I politely clapped as he went by. I didn’t like or trust him, but many of my neighbors did. I figured a community parade celebrating America wasn’t the time or place to make my views known.
Am I alone in feeling a line has been crossed and appropriate and polite civil discourse is disappearing in a storm of rude and reactionary rhetoric?