I wish to respond to two recent letters. The first letter was a diatribe against the Republican Party and President Bush. The main thrust of the letter (“Republican lawmakers: Only the rich benefit from economic plan,” Nov. 20) was a protest of a tax package passed by the House of Representatives. However, the intent of the letter appears to be a vilification of our president and the Republican Party. Mean-spirited comments, such as “Republicans always do this to us” and ‘breaks all their previous records of indecency,” are not constructive or informative.
The second letter (“President Bush: Has even broader power to execute,” Nov. 26) is a shrill railing against military tribunals. This form of court has been used in the American military since the inception of our government. A military tribunal is not a vigilante group eagerly braiding a hanging rope. With a little effort, one can find information on the workings of such a court. There is no judge or jury as we understand, true, but there are strict rules concerning evidence and proof of guilt before any person is judged. This is not a democratic type of court but a court in which a trial for justice can be obtained. Again, I note bitter sarcasm in reference to our president, including comments such as describing President Bush with “puzzled eyes” and a “gentle voice (that) mispronounces words” and bringing to trial any foreigner he suspects.
I suspect there is an underlying hatred of our president and the Republican Party in these tirades. As far as our present president is concerned, he is president for the next four years. Get used to it. You’ll get your chance to change things in the next presidential election. As for the Republican Party, I think participation, ombudsman-style fact-finding and close attention to political dealing in our country is critical to our well-being. Both parties must be kept under close surveillance by the citizens of America.
At a time like this, with our country at war, we do not need hatred, bigotry or senseless finger pointing. Our government, both parties, has drawn together to fight a common enemy. We must, as a people, ignore politics and get on with the war. There will be some injustices, yes, but we must first overcome a merciless foe before we right smaller wrongs.
Langley
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