On ‘It’s a White Thing’: “The unfathomable price black musicians have paid to balance integrity with the necessity to reach a white audience is undeniable. Stating otherwise is foolish and disrespectful to the Bert Williamses, the Skip Jameses and many others.” Brett Harrison, Philadelphia, Pa.
McCain and the Right Sen. John McCain should not dwell on receiving a warm welcome from the far right (“So Much for a Warm Welcome,” Feb. 18). He hardly owes it for its lack of support over the years. The ultraconservative talking heads hate the fact that McCain cavorts with the enemy—the Democrats. Reaching out to the other side may make Rush Limbaugh apoplectic, but doing so would allow President McCain to govern. It is the “change” Americans have been desperately seeking. So, the more they rant, the more attractive McCain will become as a unifying president who can actually attack America’s biggest problems and end the toxic partisan politics that have made compromise almost impossible for so many years. The McCain haters may not care, but most Americans do. Robert J. Brudno Bethesda, Md.
The right-wing conservative “bashers” have bashed so much that traditional Republicans such as myself are numb. They are so full of their own self-importance that they expect all true Republicans to simply follow their lead. Sadly, these media entertainers and volunteer spokesmen for the Republican Party provide just that—entertainment. Most of these bashers feel that if they repeat a statement or position enough times, then Republicans will just fall in line like obedient sheep. Not so. They need to realize that most Republicans are more moderate and independent thinkers. I don’t appreciate clergy and media entertainers’ telling me how to vote. Jeff Chubb Independence, Kans.
We Republicans must quickly learn that there is no one, single political philosophy, including mine, yours, John McCain’s or Mike Huckabee’s, that has all the answers. The answers to the problems that face this nation will be found in compromise and negotiation. It is imperative that our candidate can reach across the aisle and work with members of the opposition party. McCain has that ability, is a realist and is capable of uniting all of us. Let the pundits rant and rave. Steve Winkle Bedford, Texas
Yikes. What a collection of haters in one place! John McCain seeks to distance himself from the ugly vitriol of James Dobson, Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, Michelle Malkin et al. Yet I recall McCain’s telling a truly offensive joke about Chelsea Clinton’s looks, and responding to a supporter who asked in regard to Hillary, “How do we beat the bitch?” by calling that “an excellent question.” So can he really claim the high moral ground here? The reality is that the Republican Party has made hating, dividing and promoting fear its hallmark during the Bush years, and it is naive to expect that it will change, whether it faces Hillary or Obama. The goal of this election must be to take hatred out of power. Jeff Ganeles Utica, N.Y.
Readers would be mistaken inassuming that McCain is a moderate just because he isn’t fascist enough for the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter. As mentioned, McCain is “the arch-hawk on Iraq.” There is no good reason for invading Iraq, and with its disastrous consequences, serious doubts arise about McCain’s judgment. A leader must learn from mistakes of the past. Michael Steely Medford, Ore.
Uncertain Which Way to Go I am a Prius-driving vegetarian peacenik who has never voted Republican (“The Perils of Passion,” Feb. 18). But I don’t agree with Anna Quindlen that I could so easily switch my allegiance from Hillary Clinton to Obama. The hero worship feels cultlike, and his lack of experience in a time of crisis is troubling. He’s already being accused of making some foreign-policy gaffes in alienating the president of Kenya by interfering in an election process, and of threatening in a speech to send troops to Pakistan. John McCain doesn’t represent me on most issues, but he’s a sensible and experienced leader. Come November, I may actually vote Republican. Or I might do something I’ve never done in 52 years—not vote. Stacy Taylor Berkeley, Calif.
Go Out and Enjoy Nature While increasing numbers of people may be glued to videos and the Internet, more Americans than ever are involved in the process to designate our publicly owned lands as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System (“Out of the Wilderness,” Feb. 18). Extensive surveys by the U.S. Forest Service find that seven in 10 of us want to see more wilderness protected for future generations. That may be why Congress has a dozen wilderness bills pending for almost 2 million acres. Mike Matz, Executive Director Campaign for America’s Wilderness Washington, D.C.
World War I, Remembered Something bothers me. Maybe the headline for “The War We Forgot” (Feb. 18) should be “The War We Don’t Know.” And maybe the Great War has now become a war for historians. Or was it the photo that shows what appear to be French colonial troops instead of American soldiers? But notably, “All Quiet on the Western Front” has burned that war into the memories of all who’ve seen it. Dick Donat Summit, N.J.
