‘Hilarious’ letter caught my eye
In the May 2 edition of The Island News, two letters to the editor caught my attention. In one letter, the writer presented an argument for voting for Democratic candidates in the upcoming election. Whether you agree or disagree with the letter’s premise, this letter was well-written, thoughtful, and it presented abundant facts to support its argument.
In another letter, the writer claimed, without offering any evidence, that Democrats are “Marxist/Islamic Sinophiles” who are aligned with Russia, China and Iran. I found this letter to be absolutely hilarious. I know a lot of Democrats and none of them are remotely Marxist, Islamist, or Sinophile. None of them support Russia, China, or Iran.
On the other hand, the Republican presidential nominee has openly professed his deep admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He also admitted that in many years he paid more in taxes to China than the U.S.
His daughter received numerous Chinese patents in an effort to curry favor. He encouraged Russia to attack any NATO allies who did not meet their financial obligations. His proposed “peace plan” for ending the Ukraine war would involve the surrender of important Ukraine territories to Russia.
We should also remember how Russia funneled money to Republican candidates via the National Rifle Association in the 2016 elections. (Remember Maria Butina?) And recall how 8 Republic senators spent July 4, 2018 as official guests of the Russian government. And recall how House Republicans tried to prevent a vote on aid to Ukraine, a measure that ultimately passed by an overwhelming 311-112 vote.
If anyone is aligned with China and Russia, it is the Republican Party and its presidential nominee, not the Democrats.
— Peter Birschbach, Port Royal
Let us choose wisely
It is always interesting to me to see Congresswoman Nancy Mace cheering on our military and encouraging more benefits for veterans. They certainly deserve everything Congress can do to reward their service but Nancy Mace,a graduate of The Citadel, where her father was the Commandant and where she probably paid little tuition, chose not to enter military service after attending this public military college. One third of graduates go into the military. Why didn’t she?
Just another example of her hypocrisy and self-centeredness. We need people of conviction in Congress. Not people whose main interest is their own advancement. We have choices in November. Let us choose wisely. I think a Democrat would be the best choice.
— Barbara Temple, Lady’s Island
Nothing real can be threatened, nothing unreal exists
Today’s mail bore the third mailing in as many days from an aspiring candidate for the District 1 U.S. House seat. A photo of her standing in front of “the” wall, the only verbiage …”I will build the wall, secure the border.” That’s it. No other policy issues at all.
The theme of an “invasion” is pure fear theatrics, with no mention of helping our neighbors cope with the climate change, often a root cause of migration. I say don’t be swayed by fear, but seek the truth about the worldwide migrant-refugee crisis, and lobby your representative accordingly.
The next piece of mail today was from the NRA. This one warns that “your freedoms are being attacked.” In fact, the word “attack” occurs so often one might cringe in the corner … except the extreme rhetoric is simply trying to scare me into joining — in fact offering a free knife if I do!
Nope! You can have your guns. I have faith, not fear, and good neighbors and the Sheriff on speed dial were I to need help.
All this fear pits us against one another and throttles pursuit of solutions.
Our politicians, for example, cannot seem to create solutions for the serious affordable housing crisis, so “Not In MY Back Yard” leaps out. Who are we afraid of? Your restaurant waitress or your grocery store clerk or produce man or your gardener or hair stylist?
Then there is this fear of socialism! Really!? I for one am so glad for the support of Medicare in my retirement, and have many friends thankful for their Social Security and Vets who fought for our common good and so deserve the help they get from the VA. It’s just all of us together helping one another.
And why are some (few) folks afraid of books, and try to ban some of them? Afraid of the truth? Such fear and action leaves kids unaware and unable to cope with the world at large. This coupled with a state legislature and state school board passing laws and rules that demean teachers by telling them what they can or cannot teach? Nope! We cannot deny history. Our road to the future is paved today by using the lessons and wisdom of our past.
This could go on and on. But a miraculous reality brings me back to now: a male Painted Bunting just flew into the sunshine at the bird feeder. So despite all that assails us in this intense political season, gotta be thankful and take time to smell the Jasmine. And remember, nothing real can be threatened and nothing unreal exists. Know that F.E.A.R. Is really just “False Education Appearing Real!”
— Timothy Dodds, Lady’s Island
