Still wrong after all these years
Boy, Les, you managed to get in all the prejudicial catchphrases and some of the Republican talking points (HDN, Aug. 29). First, you claim Obama is a bad man because he was unfortunate enough to have had parents who abandoned him. Let's blame the victim.
Then you have to point out that his mother was white and his father was "dark-skinned." Horror of horrors, he is the product of a mixed racial couple. That should get the xenophobic among us to think twice. You also refer to both his father and step-father as "dark-skinned Muslims." Of course, everyone knows that light skin is the only really "human" color. All those others are definitely less than human, right? Oh, my. Definitely a disqualification for a presidential candidate.
A "mixed-race" high school friend wound up in jail for drug use. Whoa! That sure gives me pause. I sure wouldn't want to vote for someone whose high school friend became a drug addict. But, gee, if I vote for McCain I will be voting for the candidate whose wife stole drugs to support her addiction and was sentenced to community service. But, I forget myself, she is a rich white woman, so that makes it OK.
And I find it really strange that you would consider it terrible that in an American college Obama actually might come into contact with all kinds of people, with all kinds of points of view. I guess you believe that only conservative, white, Christian Republicans are qualified to get an education. Or maybe we should segregate public colleges so that the "real" people do not have to associate with all of those "undesirables." (Really, Les, take a deep breath and repeat: First Amendment, First Amendment, First Amendment.) I went to a fairly small Christian college, but you know, we used to have some wonderful discussions there because we had students with all kinds of experiences, points of view and, in a few cases, very radical ideas. I never thought of myself as a bad person for sitting around in late-night bull sessions, but I guess by your criteria, I am.
Muslims! I am amazed that in 21st century America, the melting pot of the world, you would somehow find it really bad for a person to have associates who were Muslim. I know people who are Muslim. I have even employed people who are Muslim.
Again, Les, take another deep breath, breath out slowly and repeat, "First Amendment." Les, I can remember the 1960 election when many people were very concerned that Kennedy was a Catholic. Many of my Protestant friends believed firmly that the Pope was the antichrist and that Kennedy would take orders from him. They were convinced that he would usher in a new American inquisition. I didn't think they were right then, and I don't think you are right now.
John Binder
2220 E. 27th
What's ludicrous is how our country elected "the most inexperienced pres candidate this country has ever seen" in 2000. Or does running two companies into the ground count as experience toward running the country? And McCain, with his radical right-wing babe, promises more of the same.
(Posted by: nunyer)
: 9/6/2008
Anybody pick up on Les's new word? Talk about someone who is LUDICROUS!!!!!!!
(Posted by: BD)
Sad: 9/5/2008
I just feel sad now when I read what Les writes. Thank you John for having the courage to be scorned by Les publically. I felt the same outrage when I read his letter
(Posted by: Ramona Weigel, Leawood)
: 9/4/2008
Excellent job of outlining Les Knoll's true self, John. Please tell me that most people in Hays, KS know who Les is, and know he's just a crazy racist??
(Posted by: Ryan Mott)
John Binder's article: 9/3/2008
Give me a break John Binder! Where did I say Obama was a bad man because he was abandoned. Ludicrous! Are you saying it is wrong to say dark skinned fathers? What's wrong with that? Are you suggesting I'm a racist for stating a fact? Ludicrous! You're putting words in my mouth. I simply mentioned his friend ended up in jail. What's wrong with that? I didn't say what that meant. Actually, Obama turned his back on his buddy when his buddy much later called from jail! Only a liberal would refuse to see the real threat of Muslims to this country. A survey of young Muslims in the U.S. (including college students) showed that one out of three Muslims believed in suicide bombers, even if it kills the innocent bystanders. What do you mean the "First Amendment?" Give me a break! You can exercise free speech but I can't? Ludicrous! You obviously missed the point that not one thing keeps one from being president. Obama is the most liberal voting senator and he has shown many signs of being a radical socialist. which I clearly outline in Hays Daily articles and the paper's blog site - and more to come! Your implications are nothing short of ludicrous! I deal in facts which can't be said about you! You obviously have an emotional tie to a radical socialist and the most inexperienced pres candidate this country has ever seen!
(Posted by: Les Knoll)
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