Page 6 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Thursday, September 22, 2011
Susan Estrich
Real change Believe me, I know. I hear it every day. You had such high hopes for Barack Obama. For once, maybe the first time in years, you cared. You dared to believe. You really thought he could do it. And now you are so disappointed. You feel betrayed. Were you such a fool? Was he really so lacking in ways you didn’t know — in experience or resolve or humanity? How can this man who moved so many now seem so distant and aloof, so arrogant and unconnected, so lacking in resolve? Hold that thought. Or let it perish, at least for now. On Sept. 20, 2011, something historic happened in this country, and it is thanks to Obama. Thousands of men and women who are risking their lives for this country no longer have to lie and hide to do so. They no longer have to put up pictures of their supposed “girlfriends” or “boyfriends” so that others won’t think they are gay. They can be gay. They can be lesbians. They can serve their country with pride and not worry about the day they might be shamed and discharged. Sept. 20, 2011, is the beginning of a new era in the military. Just as discrimination on the basis of race was finally eliminated decades ago, so, too, now, thanks in large part to this president, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is history. It should have happened years ago. The policy was shameful. We owe countless men and women — not only those who were discharged, but also those who gave their lives in secret or have risked their lives in hiding — an apology. We owe them our thanks. We were wrong. The policy has changed. Military leaders — who fought the idea of such a change when
President Clinton, soon after taking office, suggested it — have changed. Attitudes in this country have changed. But the most important change of all is the one in the White House. President George W. Bush never would have done it. I don’t believe that a President McCain — much less a Vice President Palin — would have done it. Yes, there is plenty of room for disappointment. I wish the president had drawn a line in the sand during the debt default talks, that he had not, ultimately, let the tea party and its chief partier House Speaker John Boehner dictate the terms. I wish the president could stir the country as president like he once did as a candidate. I wish a lot of things. So does everyone I know who voted for Obama. But every once in a while, in between complaining and bemoaning, it is right to pause to recognize that our votes did make a difference, and so has this president. Life is different today for Americans who have long deserved our appreciation and respect. Life is different today because one more vestige — surely not the last, but still important — has been lifted. Life is different today because there was change in Washington. That change has now made its way to every corner of the world where our brave young men and women proudly serve this country. Today, I’m not complaining. Today, I am proud of my president and proud of my country. (Susan Estrich is a professor of Law and Political Science at the University of Southern California Law Center. A best-selling author, lawyer and politician, as well as a teacher, she first gained national prominence as national campaign manager for Dukakis for President in 1988.)
And just how many Tea Party events has Ms. Parsons been to? To the editor, On Friday, Sept. 16, Nancy Parsons addressed a letter directly to me here in this paper regarding the Tea Party and racism. So okay Nancy, support your accusation that the Tea Party displays racists signs and makes racist statements. You gave a couple of anecdotes that were supposed examples, such as that someone somewhere called the president “tar baby” and “boy”, so who, where and when? I never saw heard or read of any of this until your letter. Just asking! Another question is just how many Tea Party events have you been to where you saw these signs that were racist because I’ve been to several and have yet to see anything that could be even spun to suggest racism? Again just asking. As for some guy at the
debate yelling “yes” to a stupid question from a moderator about allowing someone to die, how does that represent the Tea Party? My interpretation of the event was that it was in frustration to the moderator who seemed to be asking difficult or loaded questions (depending on ones leanings). It may have seemed inappropriate but still not the Tea Party if you ask me. So Nancy, if you would please, I would be very interested in verifying your information for myself in case I have been wrong about the Tea Party. Until then I will maintain that those things you site are isolated unrepresentative of my experiences. Thank you so much and again, just asking. Steve Earle Hill
Write: news@laconiadailysun.com
LETTERS Distorted development produces irrational beliefs of liberal minds To the editor, Psychology Today published on March 28 of 2010 an article titled “ If Liberals are more intelligent than conservatives, why are liberals so stupid?” “Everyone has common sense, intelligent people, however, have a tendency to overplay their analytical and logical reasoning abilities derived from general intelligence incorrectly to such evolutionary familiar domains and as a result get things wrong”. These “familiar domains” I may add are those drawn from past experiences and the dominant traits that have become part of his/her life. Many claim indoctrination as education.These people will levitate to like thinkers. Dr. Lyle H. Rossiter is a well known psychiatrist and has treated mental disorders for over 40 years. His book “ The Liberal Mind” is drawn from his experience as a social scientist. He states, “Under the modern liberal agenda, the people fail to develop normal capacities for adult autonomy, self-reliance and local community responsibility that are necessary foundations for individual happiness and social order”. He covers many underline problems that may be at the seat of their anxiety, some are: he was neglected, he was abandoned or controlled by his caregivers, he never felt loved, he endured unfair or excessive frustration, he was shamed or humiliated, he was not happy. As a result he may feel: sad, needy, empty, angry, envious and jealous. Has recurrent feelings of inadequacy. Is unable to sooth himself without blaming others. He feels he will never be satisfied without using force or manipulation. He has a sence of entitlements from others. Has an excessive need for nurturing and support. Dr. Rossiter says these people have a preoccupation with envy. Have a prominent arrogance about them. And an attitude of superiority. He states “ A political leader who understands human nature will not ignore individual differences in talent, drive, personal appeal and work ethic, and they try to impose economic and social equality on the populace — as liberals do. And a legislator who understands human nature will not create an environment of rules which over regulate and over tax the nation’s citizens, corrupts their character and reduces them to wards of the state-as
liberals do”. He adds “The roots of liberalism — and its associated madness — can be clearly identified by understanding how children develop from infancy to adulthood and how distorted development produces the irrational beliefs of the liberal mind. When the liberal mind whines about imaginary victims, rages against imaginary villains and seeks above all else to run the lives of persons competent to run their own lives, the neurosis of the liberal mind becomes painfully obvious”. We see elements within our society who fall within these guidelines. They have honed name calling to an art form. Never allowing an opportunity to go by without branding someone or group a derogatory label. Using filthy language is not beneath them. It has never changed. Communist agitators used the same tactics before we got involved in World War II. They demonstrated to keep us out of the war. Reversing their strategy when the Germans waged war on the Russians. Calling those Americans who wanted to keep us out of the war Nazis. Another interesting behavior that seems to inflict these people is they use any tactic to achieve their goal. One example is the current health care bill . First it did not originate in the Congress as the Constitution stipulates. “All bills originate in the House”. The Apollo Alliance is not the House of Representatives. Another disturbing trend we saw on public television. When the Speaker of the House was asked “What is in the bill?” She replied “We will have to pass it in order to see what is in it”. That is alarming to any one who has ever signed a contract. Would you place your name on anything you have not read and endorsed? No matter who we have as a president things will continue much the same way. One group fighting against another. Others wanting to take from one and give another. Some dwelling on the past. Agitators agitating. Angry mobs forming. Groups organizing for power and control. Until there is nothing left but those who have separated themselves from the turmoil and took care of their families, educated their children and improved upon their community. Gene F. Danforth Danbury