Go ahead, get it all out of your system. I did (well, never all of it), so it’s only fair that you get your chance.
Hence, the extremely expanded op-ed section that follows includes your reactions to the presidential election, or to my last Editor’s Note on the presidential election, anyway.
And I’d like to give a special shout-out to all the new letter writers, even the Republicans, in da house. If it was something I said that spurred you to finally put in your two cents, then I can rest a little easier — and that’s not easy under this administration.
I appreciate that many of you shared your views in the hopes of making me see the Right light. I’m also grateful for the information on cheap flights and for offers of transportation to the airport for my passage out of Bush country. You have spoken, and I heard you. Now everyone else gets to hear it.
I regret that I remain unconvinced of the president’s ability to lead our nation, based on his first term and very recent events, but it is what it is. I base my views not only on my personal observations, but also on what I hear from readers — numerous complaints, on everything from the cost of their medicines to the lack of funding for their children’s schoolbooks. Issues that must be resolved from the top of the governmental food chain.
On the president’s performance in the next four years, I’m not too proud to be proven wrong.
I could defend my spirituality and love of the Lord until the president admits he screwed up his war priorities, but it’s completely irrelevant. I’m not a Bush fan. I don’t stand behind him, and I don’t have to agree with him. That is, as many of you have pointed out, the beauty of being an American. Just as ye of the Right are not all na�ve bible thumpers, "we" of the Left are not all Godless, unpatriotic communists. (For the record, I don’t always vote Democrat — recall my endorsement of Sam Katz in the last two mayoral elections — and, if I must be labeled, I prefer "Moderate.")
I was tempted to divide the letters by "red" and "blue" and headline this section, "Loves me, loves me not." But they appear in no particular order. Next week, we’re going back to your letters of local concern — and we have plenty stored up, so please hold your fire on the election response.
Oh, and how could I forget to mention this: I’ve decided to stay. Yep, the hopeful (and very courageous) anti-Bushies, and even a couple of rational Republicans, have convinced me that fleeing is not the answer. Besides, South Philly needs an agitator for the next four years. I can’t let Tom Cardella do it alone.
If you don’t agree, I respect that. My words here always have a purpose — and, if nothing else, they make for great fish wrap.
