Indexes
February 8th, 2010
February 6th, 2010
February 5th, 2010
February 4th, 2010
February 3rd, 2010
February 2nd, 2010
February 1st, 2010
The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.
- Will terrorists be given Miranda warnings? (75)
- President Obama's first year (67)
- Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts (64)
- Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future (60)
- Islamic symbol in mosaic — what is all the fuss? (49)
- Many reject the politics of 'no' (43)
- Writer comments on Neely column (42)
- The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch (41)
- Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen (31)
- Time to shed the convenient sham of 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy (31)
ADVERTISEMENT
Flags, TEA Parties and political parties
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 12:26 AM PDT
I am a Vietnam veteran. My country's flag flies from the front of my home, proudly, every holiday we have the honor and duty to recognize. At other times, I fly it out of respect for some deserving soul who gave their final measure for country, community or family. These are my own flag protocols. Some years ago, when the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Sacramento, I was written up in the Sacramento Bee for carrying the largest flag. It was my father's ceremonial coffin flag fastened to a 12-foot pole. He served both in the Army and then in the Navy during World War II. My father was a Post Commander for the VFW. He was a Democrat. I am a Democrat.
Jumping now to Lodi's recent Flag Day T.E.A. Party, a retired Army Colonel said, "To me, a political moderate is someone who doesn't trust himself and can't decide right from wrong." Another said, "It's not right vs. left. It's right vs. wrong." All manner of Republican buttons were for sale. One said, "Liberalism is a mental disorder." Another said, "I hate liberals."
I am thankful I live in a country where free speech prevails and just about anything that can be said, written, shown or otherwise depicted is protected by our Bill of Rights. This being said, I am disappointed that a special place set aside for remembrance of "all veterans" was used solely to promote a single political agenda, demonize those who disagree and, by so doing, disparaged patriots with a different view who, just like those present at the TEA Party, honorably serve, honorably served and honorably died for this country.
You hate me? I have a mental disorder? Really?
I fully respect your right to express divergent views and opinions, but I find this type of vehement politicism just as repugnant and divisive as racism. It serves no useful, constructive purpose for any political party, and tears at the core of respecting honest and divergent views and informed discourse.
Gary F. Maurer
Vietnam Veteran
Lodi
Search for Ads 
Today’s Print Ads 
RSS Feeds
Reader Feedback
Gator wrote on Jul 12, 2009 4:41 PM:
Gator wrote on Jul 12, 2009 9:18 AM:
her Father, the Mother was also shot but she was able to get a gun
and shoot back..All three had ties to the Minute men, All three should
be Hung, no easy way out with a needle… "
Leonard wrote on Jul 8, 2009 4:52 AM:
" L - they're your lies. Maybe you don't even realize they are lies. Fact checking is not a Liberal strong point. Misdirection and just plain old making S*** up is more your speed.... "
Which of the following two statements is a lie?
1) Right wing terrorists murdered 9 year old Brisenia Flores.
2) These groups are, in part, motivated by the very sort of hate filled rhetoric that Mr. Maurer saw on display at the Teabagger meeting. "
t jefferson wrote on Jul 7, 2009 8:08 PM:
Leonard wrote on Jul 7, 2009 7:14 PM:
An example, Since BO is a socialist, and the NAZI party were called national socialists, then BO is a NAZI Now I don't believe that
I am uncertain as to which of your lies you are disavowing. "
Leonard wrote on Jul 7, 2009 7:13 PM:
" Interesting comments L too bad they don't match your previous comment. As far as the outright lies. What minuteman has gunned down innocent children? Oh yea, that one guy who was kicked out of a non-affiliated group with a similar name. Hmm disingenuousness does come to mind when I hear people make comments like this. Doesn't surprise me though. Spin some more lies you bigot.
The individuals involved in the murder of Brisenia Flores identified themselves as Minutemen. Given the splintered nature of the militia movement and its terrorist affiliates, the fact that they had been kicked out of one branch of the movement is mitigated by the fact that they were immediately accepted by another branch. "
t jefferson wrote on Jul 7, 2009 2:40 PM:
t jefferson wrote on Jul 7, 2009 2:16 PM:
Leonard wrote on Jul 7, 2009 11:48 AM:
Sadly, but perhaps not surprisingly, he has not had much luck. "
Leonard wrote on Jul 7, 2009 11:44 AM:
I would much rather see a person wearing a button expressing their feelings than one wielding a weapon.
I find it telling that you think that those are our two choices. Of course, these days with the Minutemen gunning down American children in their own homes and Limbuggers shooting up the Holocaust Museum, I suppose it often does come down to those two options. "
Leonard wrote on Jul 7, 2009 11:41 AM:
My only point (of course) was to emphasize that although repugnant, people also have the right to hate anything or anyone they choose
One wonders what led you to emphasize that point if you really did read the letter and particularly the part in which the author emphasized that very point. "
Jerome R. Kinderman wrote on Jul 7, 2009 11:11 AM:
I would much rather see a person wearing a button expressing their feelings than one wielding a weapon. Admittedly, my lack of "fondness" for liberalism goes a tad deeper. The concept is nothing less than destructive to the American way of life because it serves to limit the people from what they should be permitted to achieve on their own in favor of having a government telling (or permitting) them to do what it desires. Liberalism, as it relates to politics and government is simply bad; it has no redeeming value whatsoever.
Still, those who desire to live under its tenets should not be prohibited from doing so. But it will be our downfall. "
Leonard wrote on Jul 7, 2009 10:02 AM:
" And just what would you have us do about the people who claim to hate liberals, Mr. Maurer?
Gee Jerome. Perhaps if you had bothered to read the letter instead of just shooting off your mouth, you would have noticed that the author made a point of expressing his support for free speech while also noting his disappointment that some chose to turn the event into a venue to express their hate. "
wtf wrote on Jul 7, 2009 9:12 AM:
Jerome R. Kinderman wrote on Jul 7, 2009 8:55 AM:
As far as liberalism is concerned, I have to say that I'm not very fond of the concept as it pertains to governing; I believe it undermines our rights to a very dangerous degree while at the same time holding citizens down rather than building them up.
Finally, I cannot think of any better place for people to exercise their rights than at a memorial for those who paid the ultimate price so that those rights are secured. But I wonder, just how many of those hateful buttons did you witness at those events? As I recall, the memorial was tidied up by those very protesters that you claim were divisive and repugnant. There were no crimes committed - only peaceful assemblies. That should be celebrated, not vilified. "
Leonard wrote on Jul 7, 2009 8:05 AM:
" wow L for someone who name calls with the best of them when someone disagrees with you, quite the comment. No reference to TEA baggers this time around? Kind of hard to talk about splinters with the plank sticking out of your eye.
TJ, there is a big difference between confronting bigotry, hate and down right wrongheadedness when you encounter them on a individual basis and stating that you hate an entire class of people.
I do not hate conservatives. Far from it, I have many conservative friends, a couple of whom even blog on these pages.
Sure, there are a few conservatives who I find quite distasteful but there are probably an equal number of liberals who I feel the same way about.
To dislike an individual is human nature. To hate an entire class of people is bigotry. "
t jefferson wrote on Jul 7, 2009 6:47 AM:
t jefferson wrote on Jul 7, 2009 6:45 AM:
Leonard wrote on Jul 7, 2009 6:24 AM:
I fully respect your right to express divergent views and opinions, but I find this type of vehement politicism just as repugnant and divisive as racism. It serves no useful, constructive purpose for any political party, and tears at the core of respecting honest and divergent views and informed discourse.
Very very well put. "
Comments on this story are now closed.