Published: September 10, 2007 01:32 pm            

9/9/2007 Letters to the Editor

Salesman, egotist, clown or statesman

Dear Editor:



Have you selected your favorite presidential candidate, or are you waiting for some later leaked information? If you will just collar one of the aspirants and look him or her right in the eyes and ask, “Do you lie regularly, occasionally, only to protect your reputation, when necessary, or never?” Any that answer “when necessary” might be the most honest of the group, even though you might be expecting to hear “never.”

I know this sounds pessimistic, but only those gifted with fabulous memories prove to be successful liars and in the wide world of politics how many personalities have you known who would give a straightforward yes or no answer to any question dealing with a controversial subject?

This must be because they can’t see their cue card or remember what answer they gave the last time that question was asked. It amazes me how long politicians can take in not giving a straight answer.

Two things they are all experts at are making light of an opponent’s suitability and exposing the complete irrationality in the actions of the opposing party. As the presidential race accelerates, we are seeing more nonsubtle remarks directed at partisan comrades. The frenzy takes on what some coaches call “character building” but boils down to “whatever it takes to win.”

Early in the campaigns there was quite a bit of courtesy between same party candidates but as things begin to heat up more nuances and outright cutthroat tactics are appearing. Earlier, it was only the other party, the warmongers, the executive branch, the liberals or the conservatives who were chastised, but now, as serious time approaches, it’s open season on each other.

We, as voters, will have to be pretty smart in picking through all of the garbage that’s been thrown and find someone who is good and clean enough to lead this country through tough times.

The candidates must think that this stuff is really fun because they are staying the course and now another one has decided that he is a runner and is throwing his hat into the ring.

Do you see, honestly and without any party favoritism, a participant in the world’s most expensive marathon who really knocks your socks off? If you do, please let the rest of us in on who this person is with their, apparently hidden, qualifications for the job, which include the ability to seek and listen to truthful and informed advisors, statesmanship, constitutionalism, law enforcement, diplomacy, honor, consideration of the American citizen and culture first, sincerity, intelligence and common sense.

How many of these 10 potential qualifications does your favorite possess? Nine out of 10, how about eight, seven, six or maybe five? Using these standards, the field may be narrowed considerably. Make up your own list of qualifications and compare them with mine, or will you pick one without enough of these traits just because of his or her party affiliation, personality, hairdo, smooth tongue, media recommendation, promises to save Social Security or give teachers raises or stop and prevent all future U.S. wars?

Come on, this is serious business for each of us! I’m afraid that even informed citizens will only be able to do what has been done before and that is to not pick one with the most merit but one with the fewest demerits.

I think that there are a lot of slackers in this country who won’t use their grand freedom of choice by voting and then living patriotically with the results but will talk a big game, not vote at all and then blame every problem on whoever is our next president. I certainly hope that I am proven wrong on that score, this time. Dream on Swatzell!



Monte Swatzell

Cleburne



Thanks from Bullard family and friends

Dear Editor:



The family of Ray Bullard would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the kindness shown during Ray’s illness and passing.

With sincere gratitude we wish to thank the personnel of Crosier-Pearson Cleburne Funeral Home, doctors and nurses at the University of Texas Health Center in Tyler and the kind words of Roger Stewart, Raymond Pruitt, Nathan Brown, John Milburn and B.B. Stevens with the Martindale Singers.

Our hearts were touched with the beautiful flowers, wonderful food, gifts to Cherokee Home for Children and so many kind words, cards, visits and especially all the trips to Tyler to visit Ray. Your kind deeds will always be in our hearts.

“May the Lord repay you for what you have done.” — Ruth 2:12



Patsy Bullard

Paula and Ray Mahan

Sidney and Becky Bullard

Patti and Burton Fowler

Curtis and Anne Bullard

Nita Bullard Reed



No free lunches

Dear Editor:



There was a chemistry professor in a large college that had some exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab the professor noticed one young man (an exchange student) who kept rubbing his back and stretching as if his back hurt.

The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The young man told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country’s government and install a communist government.

In the midst of the story he looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked, “Do you know how to catch wild pigs?” The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punchline. The young man said this was no joke. “You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and come in every day to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence they start eating the corn again, and you put up another side of the fence. They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in the last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat. You then slam the gate and catch the whole herd.

Suddenly the pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity.

The young man then told the professor that this is exactly what he sees happening in America. The government keeps pushing us toward communism/socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of governmental programs such as supplemental income, tax credits for unearned income, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops, welfare, medicine, drugs, etc., while we continually lose our freedoms — just a little at a time.

One should remember that “There is no such thing as a free lunch!”



W.V. Bonds

Cleburne

        

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