Reader Wants Balance, Not ‘Spin’ In Column

The Bristol Herald Courier has become the ultimate spin master once again. J. Todd Foster’s Nov. 9 column began with a lamentation concerning his perception of ongoing racism, quickly moving to confer sainthood on President-elect Barack Obama and his supporters, while lumping John McCain devotees into a category called “sore losers.” Finally, Foster ends with criticism of evangelical Christians and free advice to the Republican party.

Let’s re-examine a few of these well-spun opinions.

First, who took the “easy way out?” While disseminating falsehoods via the Internet or any other medium is indefensible, what about the myriad who cast their votes for an easy solution to their economic woes, while disregarding morality and ethics? The idea that the new administration will “pay my mortgage and fill my gas tank” led many to cast an “easy” vote with little thought or consideration for what is moral and right.

What is the real “easy way out,” circulating a lie or ignoring the moral collapse of our American society for the prospects of unearned prosperity?

And what about the “Christ-filled” Obama, as opposed to the “so-called evangelicals” who “spout hate or hostility?” Is this the same Obama who for over 20 years listened to a pastor who preached hatred and animosity toward America; who accused the U.S. government of giving drugs to African-Americans so they could be put in prison; who stated that Barack Obama was hated because “he ain’t white, he ain’t rich, and he ain’t privileged?” Could there be a little racism in those statements? Is this the same Obama who vowed at a recent Planned Parenthood political rally that he would immediately sign the Freedom of Choice Act upon taking office? The signing of this act would remove the protection of unborn babies and allow partial-birth abortion. Could this be the same Barack Obama who said he would meet with terrorist leaders, who abhor Israel, without precondition?  This is not my definition of “Christ-filled.”

Finally, what about those hate-mongering evangelicals and “out of step” Republicans? As in any group, there will always be those who become overzealous in their desires to advance and defend their cause. Surely, there are evangelical Christians who misstep and misspeak in their fervor, yet no more than any other group, including liberals. Most evangelicals simply desire for America to return to the true God of heaven and live according to His moral precepts as given in the Bible.

And for the Republican party, is a move to the “center” the real answer?  The record shows the opposite. The last eight years have been a “wandering in the desert” with Republicans trying to become all things to all people. This has resulted in the loss of seats in the House and the Senate, as well as the White House. The only thing you find in the center of the road is a dead skunk. Reagan Republicans were strong not because they moderated toward the center, but because they stood tall for the basics: morality, pro-life, small government, small business, cutting taxes and a strong military.

Mr. Foster, we read the newspaper for information, not spin. Why not make a genuine attempt at being fair and balanced?

Bryan Hall
Bristol, Va.