The Ten Suggestions

I guess I don't understand how a quality paper like the Democrat-Herald could show a picture of the 10 Suggestions on its front page. Also, quotes from a bunch of clods that started this country - our Foreclods, as it were.

Their archaic beliefs have been substituted by new, modern understanding. It is now OK to mess around with your neighbor lady, and make off with tools from work, and take advantage of insurance companies, and use language that would make a sailor blush.

After all, what could a bunch of hicks like George Washington, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry and their ilk understand about modern life? If you listened to them there is a Creator of all this. And if a Creator, then (ugh) (gasp) (choke) intelligent design must be true!

But not to worry, the liberal media will make this all go away and we can all return to Hollywood and our TVs. After all it's football season!

John Penrod, Lebanon

One 'never' too many

An interesting and important effort and beautiful craftsmanship, spoiled by bad English ("One man's mission," A1, Sept. 6). The admonishment at the bottom of the replica states the opposite of its intent. It should read "Lest We Forget" or "So We Never Forget."

Burt Hotchkiss, Holley

Three servant leaders

I believe when we have great servant leaders who are also legislators, we should honor them by noting their accomplishments. Servant leaders dedicate much time and energy into work that the greater community may not even know or hear about.

There are three servant leaders in our midst who deserve such recognition and support for re-election. State Rep. Andy Olson did not hesitate to help my family when we had a crisis with a mentally ill family member.

Commissioner Roger Nyquist did not hesitate in giving of his time for the homeless and impoverished population by leading Linn County's Ten Year Plan To Address Issues Surrounding Homelessness.

Albany City Councilor Sharon Konopa, who is running for mayor, has been proactive on issues surrounding homelessness and, more specifically, housing issues.

Responsiveness to needs is a quality that all three of these significant leaders possess. Not only responsiveness, but compassion in action. If you are interested in voting for servant leaders, please consider re-electing State Rep. Andy Olson, Linn County Commissioner Roger Nyquist and Albany City Councilor Sharon Konopa for mayor. Each one has done a tremendous amount of work that I have seen first-hand as making a significant difference in the lives of individuals and the community as a whole.

Barbara Thayer, Albany

Andy and Spike: The latest

For those of you who were curious about Andy and his bird from my last letter (Sept. 9), Andy showed up at my door last night and exclaimed, "You won't believe what happened! I got Spike back!" Sure enough, there in his cage in the back seat of his grandmother's car was Spike, climbing around and behaving like a happy little bird. Andy persisted in looking for his friend and it paid off. After three days of fear and flying, Spike became hungry, thirsty and exhausted and that's when he needed Andy most. Andy and his brother, sister, mother and grandmother were there for his little friend and that, folks, is your happy ending for the day.

Kathy, my neighbor who also assisted in the hunt for Spike and offered words of experience from her own lost bird, was also informed that Andy beat the odds. Her delight was every bit as great as Andy's. I also neglected to mention the fire department, which responded to Andy's request for assistance last Sunday, though they were able to do little in the given situation but offer advice and cold drinks to some thirsty children. It's good when we can acknowledge their presence in our community for something other than response to a calamity.

Never give up.

Sidney Cooper, Albany

Explaining Barack Obama

Larry Crompton (Mailbag, Sept. 4) is baffled by the popularity of Sen. Obama. Maybe I can help.

Obama has JFK's smarts and charisma, and MLK's eloquence and idealism. Other than that, he's pretty much your ordinary honor-student-turned politician. It's not totally a mystery: The people of Illinois, who know him well, sent him to their state legislature for eight years, and then to represent them in the U.S. Senate.

The folks in Iowa, where he spent a lot of time, like him too. He was well-liked by his fellow professors (and students) at the University of Chicago law school, where he taught constitutional law for 10 years. His fellow students chose him to head the Law Review at Harvard. That's a big honor!

Some of us see similarities between Obama and Lincoln. Like L., O. writes his own speeches. That's rare! (Actually, O. writes as well as Gov. Palin reads. And that is very well, indeed.)

Lincoln actually had less national experience when he was sworn in than Obama. Lincoln was a genius. Obama may be close to that. It would be a monumental tragedy if we miss the opportunity for greatness in our leadership at this critical time because of silly and scurrilous nonsense promoted by Fox Noise and Rush Limbaugh.

If you want the truth about these attacks, go to Obama's campaign website. William Ayers held a fundraiser party for Obama. They had both served on the board of a nonprofit charitable organization. So they know each other. So? This means what? Guilt by association?

John Goodwin, Lebanon

Reasons for McCain/Palin

I proudly support Senator McCain and Governor Palin for many reasons. I feel that McCain will do a superior job keeping us safe from terrorism. I believe McCain when he expresses his deep desire to clean up Washington and cut excess spending. McCain has served his country with honor, and for that reason I am very proud of him.

Governor Palin - even though I don't share all of her views - is tough as nails. She is a woman that I look up to. She is a mother, she has been a mayor, governor and, yes, she is a woman!

Her speech to the American people was not only inspiring to me, but to women and men all over the country. I am excited that she is the first Republican woman to be nominated as vice president and may obtain a job which no other woman has held before, but for me it's more than that.

Governor Palin, to me, sends a message to all women that you don't have to go to Harvard to be successful and that with hard work and desire you can aspire to be anything you want to be. She is someone who women in this country can relate to and a breath of fresh air compared to many of the stuffy elite Washington types.

Out country is at a point where we need to start making decisions on issues. In my opinion we need to drill not only off the coastlines, but in Alaska as well. I am tired of high gas prices and even though it may take a while to get this mission accomplished, it is better than not doing anything! Let's get going on the solar, wind and nuclear power as well. To me getting started doing any of these things would be better than doing nothing at all!

Doree Johnson, Albany