Comments by Mitt Romney

While I respect Mitt Romney, I am disappointed in his recent remarks concerning Barack Obama because I just don't believe it was a slip, and the worst of it is that he had a worldwide audience.

It seems to me he capitalized on all the irresponsible, trashy reports on the Internet that Barack Obama is a Muslim, etc. First of all, if Barack Obama attended a school in Jakarta, Indonesia at age 10, he had little choice as to where he went to school or anything about his religious upbringing. While in Indonesia, he was living with his mother and stepfather. And as I remember it from his book, Dreams from My Father, the school presented classes in Islam and Christianity.

As I remember his book, he talked of his journey to faith and how he became a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. He is intelligent, articulate, and an honorable man and Christian. And for the record, "Barack" means "blessed" in his father's native Africa.

But look at what Mitt Romney said:

"Actually, just look at what Osam--Barack Obama--said just yesterday. Barack Obama, calling on radicals, jihadists of all different types, to come together in Iraq...."

Now, come on people! He used Barack Obama's name TWICE. Had he said "Obama" instead of "Osama" the first time, I might accept this as an honest mistake, but, no, he knows very well who Barack Obama is and he invoked his name twice. That, to me, is totally irresponsible. Not every voter out there takes the time to learn the truth about a candidate. They glean what they want to believe by taking things out of context, believing what is written or broadcast by the media, and accepting--at face value--everything they read on the Internet. Do your research. Check things out on snopes.com or check the bios of the people you question. Remember the old "gossip" game we played in school? Tell something to the first child on the row and see what the last child says they heard? Think about it. Lives are destroyed by words; they can cut like a knife. Think about what you say and what you repeat to others. And above all else, know your FACTS before speaking or judging someone.

Bob Ingram

Oh, "Bobby I," how we will miss you!

Bob was on the City Desk at the Advertiser in the early 60s when I first worked there. He was always the best at what he did; and you knew that if you heard it from him, you could take it to the bank.

I left Montgomery in the early 60s and was gone for 20 years. When I returned, I followed his political analyses on the various stations; his syndicated column, his books. Then, when I began working for Rod Nachman, he and "Bobby I" were close friends and tennis partners, so I saw him often.

When I learned of his illness, I sent him a card. I hated to know that such a viable voice of Alabama politics was going through such hard times, and knew that he would have so much to say about the "next election."

As I told everyone today, "Good Lord, "Bobby I" would be so upset to know that he will miss the Auburn-LSU game tomorrow night! He was such a fan." If we win, I think he'll know. But, now, I am just thankful he is out of his pain and with his dear Edith.

You were a good man, Bob, and you were so talented and gifted and used your "smarts" and your wit to inform us, to make us smile, and, most importantly, to make us get involved in what was happening on the political scene and to take our voting responsibilities seriously. I thank you for that. You were an original and Alabama will miss you. What a treasure you were!

Go gently into the night, my friend.

Sitcoms "Family Guy" and "South Park'

"Family Guy" is a cartoon that many kids watch. It airs on one of the local channels at 8:00 on Sunday night. Last night's crude topic dealt with a gynecologist for homosexuals. A later episode was about Pontius Pilate and Judas Iscariot making a pact to "kick Jesus' butt'"--so irreverent. The show is preceded by a warning about the language and subject matter, but kids watch it, love it, and are already confused about Christianity and quite often have little respect for adults or each other.

I found both episodes to be repulsive and immediately switched channels, and parents should be aware of the content before allowing their children to watch it. I sincerely hope and believe that most parents aren't even aware of the contents of this program and "South Park," another one that children watch. Both should be for adult viewing.

Gary Aldridge

Interesting. Do they really think we are stupid enough to believe this man tied his hands and feet BEHIND him and got into two wet suits? Gimme a break! I surely would like to know who is being protected here. There would have been an arrest in a similar scenario with the average John Doe citizen. And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what happened here.

I feel sorry for his widow, his family and the church family; but the church is all about TRUTH--at least it is supposed to be. And someone else was involved, whether consensual or not, if left alone like this, that person is culpable and, at the least, should be charged with manslaughter.

Lapel Flag Pins

Doesn't the media have something better to do than report--ad nauseam--that Sen. Obama didn't wear a flag pin on his lapel? How ridiculous. How many of you--or the media--wear one EVERY DAY? Does wearing one make you more "patriotic"? Does not wearing one make you "less patriotic"? I dare anyone to accuse me of being unpatriotic because I don't wear one every day and don't support every edict that comes from Washington!

If YOU think that wearing a flag on your chest qualifies your candidate for the White House or qualifies your candidate or anyone as a "true American," then, people, this country is in worse chaos than I already believe it is.

Get a grip. Write about things that matter: world peace, health insurance, protection of our borders, education, rampant crime--the fact that our boys don't have proper equipment to defend themselves and that some are now on their third deployment to a War Zone. Write about the issues; speak about the issues; and quit trying to muddy the waters of public opinion!