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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 31, 2008

Inspired By Speech

Regarding "Obama Builds Upon 'American Promise'" (front page, Aug. 29):

I was watching the Democratic Convention and was so moved I was compelled to write few words, a "diary" of the moment. At the end of all my words, I wrote these last two statements: "He looks and acts presidential," and quickly added, "He is presidential." Not a black nominee, not an inexperienced nominee, a great presidential candidate. I believe in us, the American people, and we can do this. Yes, we can!

It's a wonderful feeling to be inspired and moved by a speech. I am so proud to be a part of these historic times, the anniversary of so many events - and the election of Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee for president!

Democratic, Republican or independent, please vote.

J.E. PESCI

Tampa

Not All Bush's Fault
Senator Obama rests much of his campaign on "not four more years like the last eight," hoping Americans will believe everything is President Bush's fault.

Nobody could see the mortgage crisis coming. Since our country has always been merciful, our government is trying to help. Iraq is a mess, but it is easy to be a Monday-morning quarterback. I am hearing many promises from Obama, but without specifics it's only lip service.

It's too big a job for a rookie; I'll take experience every time. I won't get on the bandwagon to second-guessing.

JOHN MANNONE

Lutz

A Lot Of Promises

I'm an independent who realizes politicians make promises they can't keep.

In Obama's acceptance speech he said he's going to make health care and college affordable for everyone. He also said he would help American car companies retool to build fuel-efficient cars and make cars affordable. He said he would lower taxes for 95 percent on American families.

All this sounds great, but I don't see how he can do both.

RAY MARTINEZ

Lutz

Scary Resemblance
Did anyone else notice the uncanny resemblance between the stadium podium setting and fanatical crowd reactions for Obama's speech and scenes from "Triumph of the Will," a film documenting the 1934 Nuremberg Nazi Party Rally? Chilling!

ROGER REECE

Odessa

Find A Cheaper Way

I have watched part of the Democratic convention every night. Very impressive. I wonder how much it has cost.

Just imagine how many uninsured Americans could have had health care paid for with that money.

Of course we can expect such extravagance from the Republicans; they are the party of the rich and greedy, right? But it seems like the Democratic Party - the party of the common man - could come up with a greener and cheaper way of nominating their presidential candidate.

HEIDI WEEKS

Tampa

Not Brother's Keeper

Contrary to Obama, we are not our brothers' or sisters' keepers: we are not slaves to one another for we do not exist for the sake of others. Socialism has always failed. Why? Because there is nothing moral about it.

Its premise is that of the slaver's mindset, that one exists for the sake of others, and that in practice that can only lead to totalitarianism or liberal fascism. Further, it sets a false alternative, namely that self-interest instead of other-interest mitigates generosity, that one's gain is inevitably another's loss. Generosity is the province, in actuality, of the self-interested person.

ROBERT MALCOM

Tampa

The Real Patriots

In your extensive coverage of the Democrats' huge self-congratulatory party at the Pepsi Center - sponsored by AT&T - one thing has been conspicuously absent: any mention of the protests going on outside the convention.

Apparently, after eight years of the government shredding the Constitution, it is no longer newsworthy that all protests are relegated to a "free speech zone" blocks away from the convention site, in violation of the rights to free speech and assembly.

On Wednesday, however, 10,000 people stood up against this injustice by marching to the Pepsi Center without a permit. They were led by members of Iraq Veterans Against the War, heroes who honored their commitment to our country, even though our country broke its promise to them when the government lied to the populace in order to use them as cannon fodder in a war for profit and then wouldn't even provide adequate medical care for them when they came back home.

They are our nation's greatest patriots, and they deserve coverage in your newspaper.

MATTHEW LEVINE

Tampa

Another Smear Book

It must be election time again. Jerome Corsi has published another Republican propaganda smear.

You may remember Jerome Corsi from the 2004 elections when he published the propaganda smear, "Unfit for Command," attacking John Kerry concerning his service in Vietnam. This book went to number one on the bestseller list. Since then the lies have been exposed, and John Kerry cleared. But the damage was done, and Bush was re-elected. I don't have to tell you what has happened to America under his leadership.

Now Corsi has a motive for attacking Barack Obama, and it's all about money. The ultra-rich want Republicans to stay in office so they can still receive the unfair tax cuts Bush has allowed. The newest Republican propaganda smear, "The Obama Nation," has already been challenged on a number of points as being distortions and lies.

JAMES W. CONE

Thonotosassa

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