Pundits wrong about my vote
I am one of the older white women who the pundits say are staunchly in the Clinton Camp. At 67 and with over 50 years in the workforce behind me I support and champion Barack Obama for president.
He comes to the role with few, if any, encumbrances unlike the years of broad and deep alliances built on obligations in the Clinton camp. He comes to the role with experience in waging campaigns and making new policies and laws on some of the most critical issues of our day like health care, ethics in government, integrity in the justice system, unlike the history of these same issues in the Clinton camp. He comes to the role with a deep, reflective knowledge of and commitment to the Constitution of the United States. I know of no presidential candidate before him who has taught Constitutional Law, much less over an extended period of time.
He brings a perspective that includes firsthand knowledge of the challenges of single mothers, child rearing grandparents, talented but too often disenfranchised minorities. And he brings from personal experience a sense of how the United States is viewed from those who live elsewhere in this world, a sense of just how unique we are, how special we were seen to be and how important it is that we regain that status in the eyes of the millions who look to us from across borders if not oceans.
For those who raise a question of experience, Obama has more legislative experience than Clinton, having served eight years at the state level plus four years at the national level, a total of 12 years contrasted to her total of eight years. As to strength, I am convinced he has the resolve to protect and defend our country using the best minds and talent to take whatever actions are needed be they force, alliance-building or protective treaties.
Finally, he brings a message and a spirit that revives the passionate love of country among our people, young, old, men, women, straight, gay, African American, Latino, Asian, Native American, Caucasian, Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Muslim, blue collar, white collar, no collar.
By contrast the Clinton dismissal of the message of hope as naïve is demeaning to Americans who live by our traditional values and who have been waiting for someone to lift us up to see and believe again in our ability to create our future as a renewed manifestation of our national principles.
We need this man as leader of our country at this time in our history.
Bonnie MacLean Abney
Coupeville
Wars just keep on killing
I recently heard of another casualty of the Vietnam War; one of the volunteers at the local food bank where I put in some time took his own life. We all know that not all deaths occur on the battlefield. We all know that there are a myriad types of death associated with war. Recurring depression was the immediate form death took in my fellow volunteer. It just took several decades for it to become the physical form of suicide. It is estimated that over 100,000 Vietnam veterans have committed suicide. Approximately 40 to 60 percent of homeless in this country are Vietnam veterans and the divorce rate among them is higher than the norm.
We give initials to the causes of war (WMD) and the results of war (PTSD), but no set of letters can convey the tragic results of cruelty inflicted on both the perpetrator and recipient of violence and hatred. The causes, or you might say seeds, of war, are deep in our psyche. Our cultural heritage is one of violence and dehumanization of those who are “different.” If wars are to cease, this cultural “norm” must be changed.
The latest in a seemingly never ending series of wars has reached its fifth anniversary. When, oh when, will a majority of citizens say enough to the cruelty and destruction and convince our governing bodies, Hollywood moguls, TV producers and others making millions of dollars to shift the economy of war profits to one that sustains the welfare of all?
I would recommend a book by Claude Anshin Thomas entitled “At Hell’s Gate” if there is anyone who might want to get a graphic view of what going to war truly entails.
Jack Tingstad
Coupeville
Heroes find much support
The American Red Cross Island County Chapter would like to thank the many local businesses and those who attended the 10th Annual Real Heroes Breakfast that was held March 4 at the Elks Lodge.
The Red Cross would like to thank Whidbey Island Bank for 10 consecutive years of sponsorship for the Real Heroes Event and Whidbey Printers for 10 years of program design and printing.
A very special thank you is given to Jim Riney of Riney Production for the video production that provided additional insight into each hero and to the Master of Ceremony, Bob Severns.
Additional supporters for this year’s event were: Acorn Property Management, Alaska Federal Credit Union, Burley Funeral Chapel, Inc., Candy Bouquet, Careage of Whidbey, Chicago Title Company Island Division, Chugach Industries, Inc., Church of the Nazarene, Elks Lodge 2362, Homeplace Special Care of Oak Harbor, Island County Fire Chiefs Association, Kathryn Jolly E.A. Inc.
Krieg Construction, Land Title Company, Les Schwab Tire Center, Navy Federal Credit Union, Puget Sound Energy and Whidbey General Hospital.
Barbara Johnson,
Executive Director
Don’t vote for a man
Between 1900 to 1920, our great-grandmothers, grandmothers and, for some, their mothers, fought, fought and fought for the right to vote. The right to vote! And in some homes and places women were not allowed to even express politics. Can you imagine one family member having “rights” and the other not even allowed to speak their rights, their thoughts? Many died, were beaten, stoned, tied, etc. The 19th Amendment, even so, was passed in 1920.
Men think they gave rights to women: The right to bear children, to clean house, work and bake till midnight. Yet can you believe it, in the midst of all this, women read books, wrote letters and books.
Now, in the year 2008, someone’s mother, who is very educated and experienced in politics, is speaking and even campaigning publicly! Campaigning for the President of our United States of America.
Ladies, this is your obligation to show respect and honor our foremothers and the fight they fought for us, their daughters and granddaughters. It is your obligation to vote for the person who is fighting to become the first woman president.
A vote for a man? The same old thing! The same old wars, the same old oppression. We can rake leaves, or mow the lawn when a football game is on, or cook for them and their friends as they sit and watch the Super Bowl. Ladies, when were your given the “right” to own the land you work on?
Let’s show the world we are not insignificant. Do not vote for a man! Just keep them in your heart! Don’t vote for them.
Sharon Embleton
Freeland
