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Don't diminish the accomplishments of the Iraqi people

Re: Iraq vote is modest progress, editorial, Oct. 19.

Only the media could call the vote in Iraq "modest progress." The media and some people have shown little confidence in the Iraqis and their desire for freedom and democracy.

At first, the common belief in the media was that the Iraqis were not ready for democracy or did not want it. The media were wrong. Then the media doubted the Iraqis could handle the transfer of power. The media were wrong.

Some in the media criticized the drafting of the Iraqi constitution as if it were as simple as writing a term paper. The Iraqis worked extremely hard and proved the media wrong by working with all groups to make the document acceptable to most parties and allowed room for amendments for the Sunni groups to make changes.

So, when millions of Iraqis went to the polls on Saturday and voted, they were showing their great desire for democracy and a new birth of their country. Only the media, which includes the St. Petersburg Times, can find ways to diminish the success of the Iraqis.

I am amazed at how some people can stare at history in the making and call it "modest progress" or diminish the importance of what occurred. Already the media are calling the vote in December as the real test for the Iraqis. I am confident millions of Iraqis will go to the polls again and prove the American media wrong again. I would just hope the media and the Times will finally appreciate history in the making and give the Iraqis the support they deserve.

Don't condone torture

In January 2002, Alberto Gonzales, now our nation's top law enforcer, notified President Bush that the Justice Department had concluded that the Geneva Conventions did not apply to the conflict with al-Qaida or the Taliban, thereby opening the door to the torturous and barbaric treatment of these human beings at Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib.

An amendment to stop this outrage has been put into place by Sen. John McCain on a defense appropriations bill. But guess what? Our so-called "Christian" president says he'll veto the bill, if the antitorture amendment remains on the final version, now in House-Senate conference committee.

Call or write U.S. Rep. Bill Young today and tell him this amendment must be included. Citizens must make a stand to stop these barbaric practices. Currently, Rep. Young is opposed to this McCain amendment. We citizens have the duty as moral human beings to demand that the torture stop in what is already an unjust and reckless war. Tell Young he must keep McCain's amendment on the bill. Tell him you don't condone torture.

Leave political correctness out of war

Re: The McCain amendment, editorial, Oct. 16.

I hold great admiration for Sen. John McCain, as a person, a senator and as a former POW, despite his efforts to apply political correctness relating to our treatment of detainees.

In the history of warfare, and I daresay any future war involving any country, no American POW will ever be allowed the protections that Sen. McCain wants to extend to our enemies. Sen. McCain, of all people, should know that our troops, when fighting a war, would be better served if politicians would be politicians and leave the war to the generals and Pentagon.

It is mindless to believe that political correctness has any valid application in fighting a war. It can only serve to undermine our troops and their ability to win it.

Rice was right to be offended

Re: Candidate Rice proves unready, Oct. 17.

I read with some interest your editorial that Darden Rice was unready for the St. Petersburg City Council because she was offended by the Tiger Bay Club's "Is Politics Black and White?" forum announcement. I don't know too much about Darden Rice, but I thought it offensive when I read about it.

Your editorial page has taken every opportunity to state that this candidate has a good grasp of the issues but not enough political experience. Personally, I'd rather see a person with a good grasp of the issues over someone who simply has held office before.

I watch the City Council on a regular basis since I've always believed most politics is local. Mostly, I am underwhelmed. And as a watcher, I have no idea where Ernest Williams stands on most issues.

As always, I will determine my vote on where candidates stand on issues as opposed to how politically savvy they are. Since you do begrudgingly admit that Rice has a good grasp of the issues, that seems like a great starting point to me.

Interestingly, I mostly agree with your recommendations for office after conducting my own research. However, this little editorial seemed small-minded and rather a defense to having backed the existing officeholder prematurely.

Who is overreacting?

Re: Candidate Rice proves unready, Oct. 17.

Darden Rice won the District 6 primary for the St. Petersburg City Council despite fierce racial opposition that said a white candidate like her should not represent a predominantly black district. The Times agreed this type of politics was out of bounds and race should not be factor when choosing a candidate.

So when Rice again steers clear of the race question by threatening to boycott a Tiger Bay Club event under the banner, "Is Politics Black and White?" she is suddenly criticized by the Times for "overreacting" and her qualifications for holding public office are called into question.

Rice doesn't believe race should be an issue in the upcoming election and her primary victory shows neither do most people.

When the Times says Rice's "overreaction" is a sign she is not fit to represent District 6, isn't it the Times that is overreacting?

Campaign hits a low point

Re: Opponent beats Williams in race for domain name, Oct. 19.

I just finished reading the article about Earnest Williams and his domain name in the Neighborhood Times. While I do not feel any laws have been broken, I surely feel this says a lot about Darden Rice's "win at all costs" campaign. I was truly an undecided voter until I read about Rice's campaign robbing me of the right to find information on my own. Tactics such as these are very sneaky and say a lot about the candidate! I would think that a candidate running for a public office would want to do so honorably.

Whether you are for Rice or Williams, we all deserve the right to logically get the information we need about each candidate and make our democratically given choices! I resent anyone who tries to prevent me from finding that information. It's sad to see a campaign sink to such lows.

[Last modified October 21, 2005, 02:15:38]