Sharman doesn’t understand real ‘American values’
Advertisement
Text size: small | medium | large
Mark Ramey
Published: September 10, 2008
As a faithful reader of Mr. Sharman’s Tuesday articles, I am increasingly confused at his claim of being an “independent” anything, as he seems to be a very consistent mouthpiece for President Bush’s policies.
I am glad that Mr. Sharman is able to define American values so eloquently (“Obama lacks American values,” Sept. 9).
When I think of American values I think of documents like the Declaration of Independence that states “all men are created equal.”
It’s an America where the accused (all accused, even ones with foreign sounding names) are able to face their accusers and see evidence as to why they are being jailed.
Mr. Sharman mentions the 600 jailed individuals at Guantanamo.
How does anyone know what organization they are affiliated with if they have never had a trial or even a hearing?
America is the only country that has been founded on values.
All people being equal be-fore the law (especially very bad men) is an American value.
Another American value that has been promoted by American presidents in the past is human rights for all people.
How can Mr. Sharman lecture us on Sen. Obama’s lack of American values while supporting President Bush’s un-American policy of torturing prisoners?
Mark Ramey
Sperryville
Post a Comment
The commenting period has ended or commenting has been deactivated for this article.
Can't find what you're looking for? Try our quick search:
Reader Reactions
Posted by ( Ciudadano ) on September 15, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Hey I do not know if Mr. Sharman understand American values of not but I do know that thank to the ladies in The View now America knows that McCain and Palin are lying in their campaign. Arriving to the highest office in the land by lying is not the value I want in a president.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( wonderbread ) on September 14, 2008 at 7:52 am
Will the real Rush Limbaugh impersonator please stand up?
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( El Debibble ) on September 13, 2008 at 8:40 am
mst, the continued name calling is expected. It is typical of your type, but please quit acting like not shooting the terrorists on the spot makes W a better president. It doesn’t. W doesn’t have the guts to execute them. Some of the experts who have actually been there say a large number of the detainees shouldn’t have been detained. All W has done is create more potential terrorists. Yayyy W! mst keep on gulping the kool-aid.
After W holds them for several years and finds he had no grounds to do so how can you repatriate them? They are now definitely enemies of the US!
There are rules for “enemy combatants” (your word) and they aren’t being followed. What you are trying to pass for logic fails the test. You are an apolgist for what is amounting to one of the worst presidencies in history.
mfa - Even with a military tribunal they still get to be provided with legal services.You also tend to ignore the FACT that our own rules do not allow W to do what he has done.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( mst ) on September 12, 2008 at 1:20 pm
El Drivel, you make it sound like these people are being held on larceny charges. They’re enemy combatants. They could be shot on the spot. I think the president has shown great restraint. He has elected to extract the intelligence first and, where appropriate, repatriate. WWOD? Unionize them, reparations, free healthcare, eligibility for social security. Next thing you know they’re democrats.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( mfa ) on September 12, 2008 at 12:46 pm
American laws are legitimate on and pertain to American soil.Acts of “War” against America are rightly tried by military tribunals. Terrorists typically try people with machetes.I prefer our way.Bringing War criminal trials to America would give undeserving people free legal protection and cost taxpayers millions.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( El Debibble ) on September 12, 2008 at 6:34 am
I agree that what we’ve done isn’t as bad as the things our enemies have done, but that isn’t my point. No president should ever be allowed to lock people up indefinitely. Charge ‘em, convict’em and execute them, or release them.
However…W has done very little that is right and how he handled the detainees is a primne example of that. McCain is having to overcome the stench of W in order to win the presidency.
Sharman is more of a blight on society than even W. It is his type that allows people like W to get elected. Everyone who voted for W should apologize to the American people.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( quetzalmom ) on September 11, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Why are you people debating “How much torture is too much?“. Isn’t what seperates the American Way from the practices of terrorists a love for the principle that all are endowed with basic rights by their Creator? I’d rather die in a terrorist attack than see my beloved country behave dishonorably. I suspect John McCain would agree with me.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( copper ) on September 11, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Yes our so called “torture” methods are terrible, sleep deprivation, loud music, female soldiers giving them orders, touching their Korans, wow this is horrible. Maybe we should do as our enemies do, lets see, they beat our soldiers, behead them, set their bodies on fire and drag their corpses down the street. I guess this is acceptable to all you “UNAMERICAN” types!
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( semper fi mom ) on September 11, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Wow…talk about rabid venting. I think if you want to talk about what torture really is….ask a former POW; our music and water-board stuff is not even 1/100th of what has been, and continues to be done, by many other countries. Don’t forget, when your plumbing has a problem or your roof leaks, or you gained 5 pounds—you can continue to blame President Bush.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( mst ) on September 11, 2008 at 12:54 pm
El Drivel, I don’t apologize for the president. He’s done nothing to apologize for. The comment had to do with the use of the word torture. The fact is torture has not been utilized nor has it been authorized. The problem is democrats consider, for political purposes, anything which might instill fear or annoy as torture. A stern voice, an arched eyebrow, making them late for prayers, forcing them to listen to rap music, etc. Well, maybe having to listen to rap music is torture. The point is that nothing this administration has done even approaches torture. And, Sharmans’ opinions are based on researched facts - not what somebody says on CNN.
Report Inappropriate Comment