Originally published July 1, 2009 at 4:57 p.m., updated July 1, 2009 at 5 p.m.
Editor, the Advocate:
I am consistently amused by the sheer idiocy of those attempting to paint a negative image of Democrats. Think Pelosi is bad? She pales in comparison to such villains as raving lunatic Rush Limbaugh, who consistently promotes racism and hatred of gays. Take the fear-mongering Bush, who lied about WMDs to justify the war in Iraq and furthered destruction of the environment by subsidizing foreign oil and dirty coal over alternative energy. Of course, who can forget his subordinate Dick Cheney, who authorized the undoing of 20 years of C.I.A. work and recently lied in court about the "Scooter" Libby scandal? For this reason, it gives me great pleasure to respond to the June 21 guest columnist, Alton Tupa.
I suggest to Mr. Tupa to research his information more thoroughly before trying to influence peoples' opinions - an Internet search can produce anything you want it to. Not only does he grossly exaggerate Obama's position on the Second Amendment, he is wrong in saying that drug cartels exclusively use automatic weapons, grenades and rocket launchers. In fact, an estimated 2,000 firearms are smuggled everyday across the border, the majority of which are purchasable at gun stores.
Tupa is also incorrect about energy policy. Not only is the Gulf of Mexico already in a drilling boom producing a quarter of our domestic oil, initial drilling admittedly had little effect for years. And increased CAFE standards are undoubtedly worth it if they help conserve our dwindling resources while alternative fuels are developed. Also, let's not forget who originally lauded the cap-and-trade programs that Tupa now claims raises energy prices: Former presidential candidate John McCain, who, speaking of, just yesterday said it was imperative to board a North Korean vessel suspected of transporting a nuclear weapon, although North Korea has stated in the past that this would be considered an act of war. Imagine the nuclear chaos we avoided by electing a Democrat!
It's interesting that Tupa accuses the president of taxing the poor "who can least afford it" by instating a tax on beer, wine, soda and cigarettes, when these items are in fact luxuries that shouldn't even be in the hands of the truly poor. Perhaps these taxes are offset by the tax cut Obama earlier provided 95 percent of Americans.
Truth be told - it may not be "great" to be a Democrat, but it sure is better than the alternative.
Logan DeBord
Inez
