What’s Being Written Elsewhere

Dallas Morning News - Letter to the editor

The wrong prescription
Re: "Regroup – America must have a strong Democratic Party," Thursday Editorials.
This editorial exhorting Democrats to change deserves a reply. The notion that tomorrow's voters will be swayed by the same political marketing as were yesterday's is soft sand for a political party to build on.
Indeed, the real message from you to us is get on board, start going to church, pay lip service to Christian mores, tolerate bigotry and, most important, nominate candidates who ooze mock piety and practice religiosity.
Instead, this Democrat will do what all subjugated peoples do: watch – and wait for those in power to abuse those out of power once too often.
Otis Carroll, Tyler


The moral Left
I heard a number of news stations reporting that the sleeper issue in this election was "moral values." It was also stated that for those who indicated this as their No. 1 issue, President Bush was their choice.
I was quite surprised. I certainly understand that, for those who are pro-life and anti-gay rights, this president would be their choice. However, I wonder how the exit pollsters can justify lumping those issues into the general category of moral issues.
I believe "moral values" are connected to what is central in the Christian message, namely to feed the hungry, clothe the poor and to turn the other cheek. Or simply to follow the golden rule, "to do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
My point is that we should ask questions about how people feel about specific issues. Moral values have never belonged only to the Christian right or to liberals or any other group. The media and pollsters would do well to be specific and accurate.
Different people define morality in different ways, which is our fundamental right as citizens of this great democracy.
Nancy Wonders Dearing, Dallas


Valdez win is positive
Election Day 2004 was a dark and discouraging one for Democrats who had hoped to change the nation's course.
At least Dallas County residents can take solace from Lupe Valdez's huge victory in the sheriff's race. Support for her proves that educated voters can make the right decisions for a candidate who – regardless of her gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation – stands firm on the issues.
Jason Yaffe, Dallas


A cynical American
I have tried to get my husband to vote in the eight years of our relationship, but to no avail. His two experiences watching the presidential election in 2000 and 2004 have left him with the notion, and rightfully so, that the electoral process is a game that can be toyed with.
I almost convinced my husband to register after I proved that one vote can make a difference in the Floridian 2000 election. Now I not only have to convince him, but also myself, that my vote can make a difference in corporate, legal America.
Stacy Shapiro, Richardson


No finger-pointing
I have decided to take a page out of the Republican playbook. You know, that page about morals that is the backbone of the party – the one that assumes no one else has any. Yep, that page. I have decided that from now on, I am not responsible for anything; the Republican Party is.
So, starting in January, whenever I see or hear about a loss in Iraq, I am going to realize it's Republicans' fault.
Every time a job is lost, well, that will be their fault, too. A senior without health care – yep, that would be them
When I am asked to be accountable for my decisions, like when the president was asked, I am going to ignore the question; it will just go away, and no one will care.
You see, it can't be my fault; it has to be theirs.
Poor loser? It's much more than that – it is kind of liberating.
If things get really bad, I can always blame Hillary, too.
K. Kerr, Dallas


Winners and losers
As voting began, there were already several clear winners and losers at the close of this election's silly season.
Winners No. 1 include all the news sources now available through the Internet. The word "blogger" now carries as much weight as "news anchor."
Winners No. 2 are the 527 organizations. While it is politically correct for both major parties to criticize them, they act as each side's political pit bulls.
Winner No. 3 is the infamous – or famous, depending on your point of view – Michael Moore. He emerges from the campaign much richer, better known and positioned to be a force to be reckoned with in '08.
Losers No. 1 include those traditional mainstream news sources now most widely identified as biased, led by The New York Times and CBS News. Dan Rather will gracefully ride off into the sunset before New Year's Eve and take much of the credibility of a once-proud news institution with him.
Losers No. 2 are those who would have liked this campaign season to be more enlightening on issues beyond Iraq and terrorism.
Finally, Losers No. 3 will be the TV and radio outlets that benefited from the millions of dollars spent on this campaign's advertisements, plus all the talking-head strategists. Our attention will soon be refocused, and life will go on.
Lee D. Cary, Little Elm

source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/110704dnedisunday2hletters.45e20.html