My latest letter to editor

September 8, 2009

Dear Editor,

I am disheartened by the outcry of protest regarding President Obama’s speech to America’s students today. It has been labeled as “propaganda”. The formal definition of this word is “the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution”. Do you really believe this speech would be designed to injure an institution?

I remember a time, not long ago, when you could disagree with a man’s views and still respect him as a man. I also remember a time when Americans held respect for the very office of President of the United States of America, if not for the man occupying the chair. I can’t imagine FDR’s Fireside Chats being wholly boycotted simply because you were not a Democrat and didn’t vote for him.

This is the leader of our country. Like it or not, he won by approximately 10 million votes. Listen to what he has to say. Listen to his policies. Listen with your children and talk to them about it. Explain to them why you don’t agree with him. Show this next generation how to respect the man, if not his stand on issues. Show the next generation respect for the very office of President. You don’t have to have voted for or agree with him to support him. Pray for our leaders with your family, debate issues with your friends, write to and call the elected officials who represent us.

What I am encouraging you NOT to do it bury your head in the sand and pretend that if you don’t hear the message, it doesn’t exist. NOT to separate yourself and your family from those things with which you don’t agree, but to meet them head on, and TEACH your children why you don’t agree with them. Just because the election didn’t turn out the way you had hoped, don’t take your toys and go home.

Carmen I. Milligan