LETTERS
To the Editor:

In my column in your newspaper on September 6 representing the Democratic Ninth District, I took issue with name-calling, dirty politics designed to label and denigrate political opponents purely for the sake of politics. I further stated that to remain silent, particularly when done by one's own party is to become part of the problem.

Now, here comes Move On, a liberal group running ads (New York Times) labeling General Petraus as "General Betray -us." I condemn this despicable personal assault in the strongest possible way. Not only is it despicable in a human way, it is stupid politically.

I also condemn the New York Times, and any other newspaper, for running this revenue generating ad. It proves what we all know - MONEYTALKS! By the way, it is way overdue, but not too late for the Republican side to express their thoughts about Fox TV running those revenue generating TVads morphing Georgia war hero, Senator Max Cleland into Osama Bin Laden.

Senator Saxby Chambliss has finally taken ownership for this all time low in dirty politics.

Bob Barton

Chair, Democratic Ninth Congressional District

To the Editor:

Constitution Day - 220 years ago next week, on September 17, 1787, the final draft of the US Constitution was signed, and on February 29, 1952 the US Congress designated September 17 as "Constitution Day" (actually, "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day"). Few people paid much attention to the date until a couple of years ago when a new federal law went into effect mandating that "Each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year [that's virtually every elementary school, high school, college or university in the country] shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 …" So, expect the students to get at least a dash of US history in school next Monday.

Expect too, that it will be tainted by the "Living Constitution" evangelists. These are the folks who argue that societal progress must be taken into account when interpreting the Constitution (Al Gore is an example). In opposition there are the "originalists," folks who argue that the Constitution has a fixed and knowable meaning which was established at the time it was written (Thomas Jefferson is an example). Modern day advocates of the Jefferson position include sitting Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia who believes in sticking to the plain text of the Constitution "as it was originally written and intended." Or, as Jefferson put it, "On every question of construction [of the Constitution] let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or intended against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed."

I wonder how many students will be hearing this side of the story?

Cordially,

Chuck Esposito, Suches, Ga.

To the Editor:

I would like to clear up some confusion that I apparently caused Mr. Cook and perhaps other readers. Being a woman of very modest means, the fact that the jail was under funded by about 1.5 million dollars for a county the size and population of Union County did not seem to be at all fiscally responsible. How funds are spent and managed to meet the needs of all the people of Union County is the Commissioner's responsibility and according to the vote of the citizens of this county in 2000 those needs were not being adequately met by Commissioner Cook.

As for the millage rate issue, I probably could have said our millage rate is still the second lowest in the state and the present Commissioner lowered it again.

I have no complaints about living in Union County or I would not be here. My previous letter was intended to point out to others why their complaints were aimed in the wrong direction. I feel that our present county leadership is doing an admirable job and any difficulties we are having are due to the actions of some of our state and federal legislators and leaders. In a representative democracy, it is our responsibility to be informed and to be actively involved in the process.

Elsie Felix

To the Editor:

I read the Editor's column in the North Georgia News printed 9- 12-2007. I normally don't read this editorial because it is so childish, but I was asked my opinion on the editorial so here it is.

Here is a word for word of the last 4 paragraphs;

"Our conversation included the topic of criticism. We all laughed.

Some folks finding fault with others is like an ugly person looking into a mirror made of wood and thinking themselves beautiful while hurling insults at someone else.

We all agreed that many who criticize are so far behind that they have delusions about being out in front.

We agreed the community is better off when those kind of people move on."

Talk about criticism! This is the pot calling the kettle black. Maybe the editor and friends should take their own advice and move on.

Mike Sims