Progress, mudslinging, voting, good kids and slow service

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: September 16, 2008

Is this what we worked so hard to achieve?

To the editor:

Hooray! For the first time in 24 years, we have a woman candidate for one of the highest offices in the country! From Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Ann Richards and Barbara Jordan to Sarah Palin, women have been steadily working their way into the higher echelons of political power. It’s been a long, hard journey for women to be fully represented in the halls of government in these United States.

But here’s the big disappointment: Instead of the well-known Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, we get an almost unknown governor with a résumé of questionable assets. Every day brings new revelations of her pit-bull style of governing. At least we knew Hillary’s record and could agree — or agree to disagree — on her qualifications. But this “hockey-mom” has changed her stance on too many issues. She has the public eye trained on her every move, and all are carefully choreographed by McCain’s campaign staffers.

During the convention, the second Mrs. McCain’s credentials to be first lady were far more appealing to this voter than the descriptions of the vice presidential candidate. Would McCain have nominated his wife to be his running mate?

After eight years of destructive foreign policy, crashing economic woes and almost daily reports of Washington corruption, we’re ready for calm diplomacy, constructive budgeting and honesty in the District of Columbia. We voters get what we vote for, and I urge all of us to read and listen between the media hyperbole.

JANINA SHOEMAKER

To the editor:

This letter is to inform those who do not trust touch-screen electronic voting machines. The way to avoid them is to request an absentee ballot.

Even if you believe that they are secure and reliable, you can do a better job of voting an absentee ballot on your own kitchen table — where you can call a friend for advice — than you can being confronted by a touch-screen device. Also, you can make a copy of your absentee ballot and keep it before mailing it.

The time to request an absentee ballot is now. We are less than two months from the election. Some election boards in North Carolina will be mailing out absentee ballots within three weeks. Vote an absentee ballot!

FRANK B. TURBERVILLE JR.

To the editor:

If nothing else, it is entertaining. But how can anyone believe all these political promises? Who can believe all the insults being bandied about? There are more working-class people in this country and they are losing their jobs more than any other group. The Democratic Party is for the majority of the population.

It should be no contest. Until the Democrats get in power — and stay in power — there will never be health care for everyone. There are politicians saying they will make it so anyone can afford health care. I think that that statement is ludicrous.

Personally, I look at Obama and see a very sincere and smart person, a family man who would help the working people of this country. McCain seems like a nice enough person, and I’m sure he went through hell when he was a war prisoner. But I don’t feel he has the feelings for the general population. It has been said that McCain will carry on Bush’s disaster. McCain’s running mate makes a good speech and she put on a really good show. But if something happened to McCain and she were to become president, who would she put first — the office or her children?

HARRY WARD

To the editor:

I listened to the Democratic and Republican national conventions. From what I observed, the Republican Party is slinging mud at the Democratic Party, while the Democrats have not stooped to that level of slinging mud in retaliation.

Mud slinging is a very childish thing to do. Everyone is an adult and is supposed to be of quality caliber.

Is it that the Republicans don’t have enough to do in promoting their own platform?

When Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin called herself a “hockey mom” and said that that was a pit bull with lipstick. Well, we all know what a female dog is. Is that the type of person we want for vice president? Also, McCain is up in age, and Gov. Palin will be next in command if something happened to McCain.

I listened to Sen. McCain’s acceptance speech at the convention. Every time he said what he plans to do, he had to discredit Sen. Obama. Still, McCain never said what he planned to do for the safety of the country and to get health care for more people — nor did he accept Sen. Obama’s debate challenge.

It seems the Republican Party has an inferiority complex and is trying whatever seems most effective to discredit the Democratic Party.

JOAN McSPADDEN

To the editor:

Last Thursday, I was privileged and honored to speak to the students, teachers and administration of Tunstall High School for their first 9/11 memorial service. The entire student body assembled in the gymnasium for this service, and I was extremely proud of the way in which the students conducted themselves. At the appropriate time, the students filed in and took their seats on the bleachers in a most orderly fashion. When the program started, everyone was quiet and attentive. When the program was over, the students filed out as they had come in, again in a most respectful fashion.

Having graduated from Tunstall, I was extremely proud of the way in which the students conducted themselves and even more proud to be a graduate. I commend all of you — students, teachers and administrators — for the positive impact you are making in our community.

DONALD W. MERRICKS,

To the editor:

In response to, “Verizon offers choices in this market,” (Sept. 10, page A8), most Danville residents may have at least two options for broadband Internet service.

But we’ve been trying for several years to get reasonably priced Internet service.

Verizon doesn’t offer it to us.

We’ve tried Gamewood several times, but the signal isn’t strong enough.

We’ve tried Comcast, but the wiring is too far for them to run — even though the tower that is located off Iris Lane is approximately 1,000 feet outside our front door.

I understand that we live on a private road, but the next private road on Iris Lane has service, along with the new CrossCreek subdivision.

Guess since we don’t live in an upperclass neighborhood, it’s not worth it to Comcast to offer it to the 10 families that live on our road.

We’ve looked into satellite services, and they are just not affordable.

So, as for now, I guess we are just stuck with the old but trusty dial-up service we’ve been with for eight years. Thanks, Ntelos.

DAVID EANES

Danville