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Hernando Today

Unqualified

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Hernando Today

Published: November 13, 2008

Unqualified

Editor's note: The following letter was sent to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and is reprinted here at the author's request.

I will no longer be watching your program after what you did last night. Having one of the Little Rock 9 on your show as a way of praising America for coming a long way is a shame. The good folks who fought so hard for equal rights did it so that people would no longer be held back from things for which they were qualified simply by the color of their skin. The operative words here are "for which they are qualified."

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. must be rolling over in his grave. His" I Have A Dream" speech included the statement "...that a man will be judge not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character." This man who was elected is sorely lacking in content of character and was elected (judged) by most only by the color of his skin.

We have gone back 50 years in our thinking. Fifty years ago, a black man, no matter how eminently qualified, could not get elected, a promotion or even be hired - just because of his color. Today, a black man, no matter how unqualified, can get all three and more. He just gets a pass because of his race (sort of like the senator from Illinois voting "present" on so many bills). There are thousands upon thousands of good, hard working, middle-class black citizens who don't want (and probably resent) unqualified, unmotivated blacks getting a "pass." These good Americans worked hard for what they have (most likely they had to work harder than many whites because of their color) and they don't like seeing other blacks getting a pass without working for it.

We now have a president who, in his own words, said he didn't wear an American flag pin and didn't place his hand over his heart during the National Anthem because he didn't want to be seen as "taking sides." Hellooooo - he wanted to be president even then. Our president is supposed to be on our side. We have a president who did not have the moral courage to walk out of a church that preached hatred and lies about it now. We have a president whose past associations would have disqualified him for many civil service jobs that require a Secret Service clearance. He would not qualify for the job of the very Secret Service which now protects him.

So, I can no longer watch your show. I can only hope that with much effort, the Republican Party and Americans against socialism will work hard and come back in 2012 - or perhaps take back the Senate and House in 2009 or 2010. It would be my joy to be able to vote for a black American or a female American for president. But, only a qualified candidate will get my vote. You have really disappointed me.

Sandy Kaliscak

Brooksville

Saying A Prayer

It is with both profound regret and deep sympathy for Philip Strmensky when I read his letter on Nov. 6. Rather than embrace a monumental event in our great history, he chose to castigate the president-elect with venomous, scurrilous and hateful rhetoric and ridicule the 70 million Americans who believe he does, in fact, deserve the office.

All Americans, nationwide, have nothing but respect for those of us who served our country; and in many cases, suffered permanent and debilitating injury in defense of our democracy. It is people like Strmensky who gallantly served to preserve the democratic right to freely choose our elected officials. I suggest that he does pray, not to remember "Black Tuesday," but for guidance for our elected commander in chief in making decisions that will galvanize us as a nation and positively influence our position internationally.

Ed Moore

Spring Hill

Thank You,

Commissioner Stabins

Now that the campaign is over, I can finally sleep. After days and weeks on the road we can relax and appreciate that our hard work paid off.

Over the past month I was able to meet every type of voter possible. All the demographics of Hernando County were amazing to see and meet. These people are truly the backbone of America and Hernando County.

I don't believe I'll ever be able to say that I had more fun on a campaign trail. So through all the yard signs, coffee, bottles of water, bags of combos, and pure laughter, I must say I had a "bully" of a time. So thank you Commissioner Jeff Stabins for the time of my life.

Samuel A. Wagoner

Spring Hill

Fashion Statement

One thing was settled in this election that had nothing to do with voter selection.

Chicks with glasses can surely get passes; but if you want to look cute, deep six the pant suit.

John Albert

Spring Hill

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