Bob Hill is my new hero. Good job, Bob.
Letters to the editor Tradition of tolerance A few changes
Published: Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, November 14, 2008 at 3:10 p.m.
This letter came about in the early morning hours, when I awoke and could not go back to sleep, wrestling with past politics, realizing that the United States had just elected its first black president, and contemplating the bigotry and intolerance that is still with us today.
The recent proliferation of racially motivated and bigoted remarks, comments and letters to the editor concerning President-elect Barack Obama threatens to tarnish the proud history of the Shoals for tolerance, love and respect between all races, creeds and beliefs. It seems these people had rather see America fail then see President-elect Obama succeed.
The "n" word has been used often and freely, such as "I guess that means you are going to vote for that n ."
The radical, self righteous, religious extremists, who profess to speak for God in declaring their own right to sit in Heaven and those of a different political persuasion to burn in Hell, have no place in this land of freedom.
The comment that Obama probably will not "put his hand on the Bible" when he is sworn in as president is the height of religious and racial prejudice. This is especially ludicrous as Barack Obama has repeatedly proclaimed himself a follower of Jesus Christ.
It is inconceivable that these individuals are claiming that their twisted views are representative of the views of a great majority of citizens in our community.
Extreme arrogance and prejudice was shown by the person who did not have the backbone to put his name on his comment to the editor, and who referred to Obama as "Osama bin Obama," and declared that anyone who disagreed with his views is either "stupid" or "braindead."
No one likes a bigot, but how do you make them go away?
I have always admired Sen. John McCain for his patriotism, service to his country, and honesty and integrity in the U.S. Senate; however, my admiration reached a new high during the presidential election when he showed great courage on at least three occasions.
First, at a public rally of his supporters, Sen. McCain condemned a racial remark from one is own supporters saying, "no, we are not going there. Sen. Obama is a patriotic, good and decent American." Secondly, Sen. McCain gave the most eloquent, gracious and unifying concession speech that I have ever heard, or could ever envision, calling for all citizens of this great country to unite behind and support President-elect Obama. Lastly, when some of his supporters "booed" his unifying remarks, he, with his arms raised, dissented, calling for calm and understanding. Sen. John McCain is truly a great American patriot and hero.
On the other hand, I was disappointed in Gov. Sarah Palin when, unlike John McCain, she started catering to the radical extremists, using deceptive attacks, questioning the patriotism of Obama, claiming he hangs around with terrorists and he is not like us. When the partisan crowd shouted "off with his head" and "kill him," Gov. Palin stood by silently.
The TimesDaily editorialized against the attacks by Gov. Palin and against the recent increase in bigotry and intolerance in the tradition of Louis Eckl, the courageous and valiant editor of the TimesDaily, who in the turbulent and racially charged 1950s and '60s, editorialized and spoke out against segregation and intolerance, calling for peace, love and respect among our black and white citizens. There were cries of cancellations to subscriptions, just as we are witnessing today.
Dr. E.B. Norton, president of what is now the University of North Alabama, while George Wallace was standing in the schoolhouse door at the University of Alabama, courageously, and with dignity, integrated the university, to the chagrin of Gov. Wallace, in admitting the first black student, William Wilkie Gunn, who graduated with honors and has established himself as an outstanding citizen and role model.
There have been many Shoals citizens, black and white, male and female, Christian and Jew, Democrat and Republican, who have courageously stood against bigotry and intolerance. We, as a community, must not let the recent profusion of hatred and bigotry debase our proud heritage of tolerance and acceptance of those who differ from us.
I am proud to call the Shoals my home and the TimesDaily my newspaper, although I have disagreed with some of your endorsements, editorials and stances on issues.
That is what America and the Shoals are all about: disagreeing with honor, respect and dignity.
God bless, protect and inspire President-elect Barack Obama and give him the strength and wisdom to meet the challenges ahead, and God bless the proud heritage of the United States of America and may we long endure as a nation of freedom and tolerance.
Bob Hill
Florence
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