Published: April 22, 2008 05:52 pm            

LETTERS: April 23, 2008

Matthews: Hill is shrugging off Obama’s elitist remarks



All this time, I thought Barack Obama was the most out of touch politician campaigning in Indiana. Turns out, it may in fact be Baron Hill. Hill’s indifference proves he is a Washington insider out of touch with southeastern Indiana.

Baron Hill recently showed indifference toward the condescending remarks made earlier this month by Barack Obama at a San Francisco fundraiser. He was recently quoted by thehill.com as saying his constituents “aren’t that hyped up” about Barack Obama’s disparaging comments. He was quoted as saying, “People say, ‘What’s the big deal? Where’s the beef?’” and blaming the hype on the media.

In fact, Hoosiers in the 9th District are a very faithful people and very supportive of our Constitutional right to bear arms. Hill, agreeing with Obama that Hoosiers cling to these things because they are bitter, is an outrage.

Sen. Obama was further quoted as saying of people in small Midwestern towns, “It’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment ... as a way to explain their frustrations.” It doesn’t look like the senator is too concerned about votes in the May 6th Indiana primary considering such comments. Identifying closely with those views, apparently Congressman Hill has also lost touch with his own constituents. Perhaps he is taking the challenge in November from Mike Sodrel a little too lightly.

A statement from the Indiana Republican Party called upon Indiana’s superdelegates — including Hill — to denounce the comments. Hill had nothing to say on the issue until the quote above. Maybe Hoosier concerns aren’t at the top of the list of Baron Hill’s concerns. Hoosiers do not need an elitist in the White House and they certainly don’t need one representing them in Congress. Maybe it is time to give one of our own another chance to fix this mess in Washington. Maybe it’s time for Mike Sodrel again.

— Dave Matthews, Chairman, Floyd County Republican Party



Open letter to Sen. Barack Obama



Sen. Obama, I want you to know that I’m praying for you, because I do not understand your recent comments about small town folks. I am from a small town, so, according to you, all I have is religion, guns and antipathy and now I am “bitter” about the economy.

Does this mean your “changes” will save me from myself? Does this make me less capable to make my own decisions, so the federal government should do it for me?

You do not have to worry about saving me. Jesus has already done that.

I would like to show you that there are small town folks that are not bitter and enjoy their life. Sen. Obama this is a genuine invitation for your family to join my family at my small town church for Sunday service. You pick the Sunday. You will hear about the love of Christ. No talk of politics, just some great “Hoosier Hospitality.”

“George Bailey” learned that bitterness, anger or happiness is not caused by your circumstances — it is a choice. Like George and many others, I have been blessed by “angels” right here in small town USA.

Sen. Obama, “It’s a wonderful life.”

— Dave Sakel, Floyds Knobs



Clinton is most qualified candidate

As former first lady of Arkansas, former first lady of the United States, and current senator of New York, Hillary Clinton understands state government, federal government and international issues. She is brilliant.

Sen. Clinton has been fighting causes most of her life with little recognition. I don’t remember any candidate ever saying “Here’s what I am going to do, here’s how I am going to do it and here’s where the money is going to come from.”

Most importantly, she is approachable. When Sen. Clinton came to New Albany, she took the time to listen to our issues and discuss how she will tackle these issues when she is in the White House.

For the first time, we have a woman running for president who is the most qualified candidate – and for the first time in 40 years, Indiana can help put her in office.

Be brilliant. Vote Hillary.

— Jerry Griffith, Jeffersonville, volunteer campaign worker for Clinton



Reader upset with Greater Clark superintendent

The Greater Clark School Board held its monthly meeting on April 8. It was attended by many to the point of standing room only. The board started with special recognitions for many of the athletes, students, and teachers who have exhibited great skill and caring.

The Board also took up the matter of trying to save the 25 teaching positions in our system, positions that may be saved at the last minute by new thinking on the part of some of our administrators.

What began as a positive experience quickly took a negative turn.

Superintendent Tony Bennett made a statement before the public comments section of the meeting that was disturbing. The gist of the comment was if he heard any public speakers say anything derogatory of another or political statements of any kind, he would censure him, even have him escorted from the room. Good to his word, this is exactly what happened.

Keep in mind these are speakers who had pre-registered the week before. Mr. Bennett did stop and interrupt the speakers, even taking away one speaker’s text. Mr. Bennett claimed the board meeting is not a public forum. He is not only wrong about this, but he is also violating our First Amendment rights.

Worse still, the room was full of students that knew he was wrong. We hold our right to speak freely most dear in our country and here we find our “appointed” leader behaving like our misguided administration in Washington.

Great example for our kids, right? Great treatment of the taxpayers, right? Great following the rules, right?

Mr. Bennett, we have elected those board members to operate our schools. You have been hired to guide them according to the rules. Any aspirations you have do not give you the authority to circumvent our processes and laws.

I hope to hear an apology from you to the speakers, students, and the taxpayers. It is our money operating the schools, but the First Amendment keeps our society civil.

How about it? Sorry?

— Irvin Meurer, Charlestown



Farr questions Adamson

There is a contradiction in Dr Jerry Adamson’s April 19, 2008, article, “Charges may be pending” between his quoting II Peter 3:9 and the following sentence, “The plea of ignorance will not work when we stand before God in the judgment.”

This verse, among others, has been used by McKinsey (“The Encyclopedia of Biblical Errancy”) and Gulley and Mulholland (“If Grace Be True”) to support the Biblical concept of Universalism: everyone will be “saved.” McKinsey provides Biblical support for five different methods to be “saved.”

II Peter 3:9 is also contradicted by Proverbs 16:4 and John 12:40.

— Larry E. Farr

        

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