Published: October 31, 2008 01:40 am      

LETTERS: October 31, 2008

Reader: Thank you FC Road Department



I want to publicly commend the Floyd County Road Department for its recent efforts to quickly and professionally remove all the debris left by the recent storm. Its hard work and dedication is commended. I am grateful to live in a community that considers the safety and well-being of its residents.

Thanks for a job well done.

— Judy Sterling, Floyds Knobs



Choice isn’t hard for him



Let’s look at the two presidential candidates just for comparison. On the left, we have a man born of a non-citizen who already had a wife in Africa, as well as children. On the right, we have a man born, not only of two American citizens, but the son and grandson of Navy admirals.

On the left is one who was associating with questionable people and “experimenting” with alcohol and cocaine, by his own admission. The other enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 17. On the left, a youth who had gone to only the very best of schools and then graduated from Harvard Law School. The other, a Navy brat who managed to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy.

On the left, the candidate joined a Chicago law firm, which hired William Ayres’ wife, also a known terrorist, at about the same time. On the right, one who was shot down and captured by North Vietnam.

On the left there’s one who joined a known radical, hate-spewing assembly in this country but calls itself a “church.” During the same part of his life, the man of the right refused early release and endured intensified beatings for refusing to do the enemy’s bidding; and, in time, came home with the rest of his men.

On one hand, you have a man who has unselfishly served his country for 55 years and endured more than most of us can even imagine for love of this country. On the other hand is an example of unparalleled ambition, self-promotion and unapologetic opportunism. Hmmmm ... let’s see, who deserves my vote?

Wake up, America, we’re talking about this country’s future.

— John Kettler, Greenville



Reader: Don’t support Ward



I am not surprised by the comment by Mr. Ward. Mr. Ward can vote for whomever he likes. I hope no person of color will continue to support Mr. Ward’s business and no Bible-believing Christian will do business with Mr. Ward.

Mayor England — who is a mayor for all citizens in New Albany — said the quote was “regrettable and embarrassing.” I hope Mayor England will encourage, as well as others, not to support Mr. Ward’s business. If the only reason Mr. Ward gave for not voting for Mr. Obama is because he is black, please do not support Mr. Ward!

— Ginny Kane, New Albany



Reader: Thank you JHS for encouraging son



I would just like to thank the staff at Jeffersonville High School for getting the right help for my son and encouraging him to finish school. Thank you so much Mr. Griffith, the assistant principal; Loretta Brody, Kathy Carroll, Virginia Pennington, Mrs. O’Daniel, Jill Crabtree; the rest of the staff there, from the lady in the front office to the ladies in the attendance office; and the principal, who I’ve never met, but has to be doing a fine job there to have such a wonderful and caring staff.

Parents, please give these people the opportunity to help your child or children attending Jeffersonville High School and work with them. They work hard considering how much responsibility is placed on their shoulders.

They do their best with the amount of students and work that has to be done and still have the kids’ interest at heart, and remember, they wouldn’t work these jobs if they didn’t want each and every one of your children to succeed.

— Toni L. Hoskinson, a grateful parent, Jeffersonville



McCain is not her choice



“[John] McCain had strong Southern roots — his great-great-great grandfather, William A. McCain, owned a Mississippi plantation with more than 50 slaves and died fighting for the Confederacy in 1863 — but he believed his heritage lay almost entirely inside the country’s military. The son and grandson of U.S. Navy admirals, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy near the bottom of his class in 1958; his low class rank attributed to indifference both to disciplinary rules and to academic subjects he did not enjoy.” — Britannica.com on John McCain

My father was born in Mississippi in 1908 and was the son of sharecroppers. My grandmother was born a slave. Presidential candidate McCain and I have more in common than I realized.

My father was a veteran of World War II and received the Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal, Bronze Medal and awarded for good conduct. Unfortunately, when he returned from the war, he did not receive the respect that he deserved. He was still treated as a second-class citizen and still subject to racial discrimination. My father came north to find a better opportunity. He worked at Colgate-Palmolive Co. until his retirement.

Do you really think I want McCain to become our next president?

What I don’t understand is why no one mentions McCain’s heritage. His campaign wants to tie presidential candidate Barack Obama to terrorist, Muslims, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and anything else they can drum up, but what could be worst than holding people captive and separating families in your own country, and it’s not even a war?

I don’t think anything can be closer than family ties. My grandmother, at the age of 5, saw her brother being sold on the block. He was 13 years old. She never saw him again the rest of her life.

To me, nothing can be more cruel. And to think that McCain’s family was part of such cruel treatment of human life. Sarah Palin will never have to worry about her children being sold.

It is really scary for the future of this country if he were to be elected president. For me, personally, nothing would be worse than to find out that my ancestors were on the same plantation as his great-great-grandfather.

— Michelle “Neicy” Ross, Jeffersonville