All need unity

Dear Editor,

I find it quite disturbing that President-Elect Barack Obama didn’t make the headlines of the Monroe Journal. Why?  I am sure that other citizens of Monroe County noticed this heartless act as well.

Let it be known that you are quick to publish headlines on crimes and other transgressions of Monroe County however, the result of an amazing historical event, “Barack Obama, cruised to an easy win” lies in small print under the headline, “McCorvey, Childs win election.” In addition to that, you made it known that majority of Monroe County voted for McCain. What message were you trying to deliver? I am sure the almost majority of all 6,173 people, who voted for McCain, do not have adequate health insurance or none at all and are feeling the wrath of this economy. Are all 6,173 of these supporters wealthy? I think not. When will the citizens of Monroe County see past the color of skin?

To all my brothers and sisters of color, people it’s time we come together and stand as one to set a positive example for the new generation. It’s time out for all hatred and bitterness. When it seems that others have more than what you possess, it simply means that they have worked a little harder for the things they have. You have to make things happen for you. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. You have to possess a can do, will do attitude.

Never give up on your hopes and dreams. They are yours to make real. God said, “All things are possible.” The proof: Barack Obama is elected the first black President of the United States.

Set goals and achieve them! Get your education and be educated, because no one can steal knowledge! Parents, let’s teach our children to stay out of trouble and let’s be positive role models for them. Who knows, they may one day be elected president. Allow them to dream. Send them to school and push them to learn. Let the teachers and administrators do their jobs and we as parents need to do ours.

Children indeed live what they learn! Teach them to respect their teachers. The majority, if not all teachers, are there for their love of children and not just for monetary gain. More importantly, teachers and administrators, should choose your personnel wisely. Parents need to know their kids are not only receiving their education, but are being led by positive role models. Who you choose as leaders says a great deal.

Parents need that security. Parents deserve that security.  That aspect alone would make an enormous difference. We all need to stand in unity. Pastors need to be accountable for some of their actions as well.

For the record, African Americans solely didn’t elect Barack Obama, America did and God bless the United States of America! That alone assures me that there is hope for our country! America, yes we can!

Marion Preyear

He will serve all

Dear Editor,

As proud citizens of the great state of Alabama, we were appalled upon reading about your coverage of the 2008 presidential election in The Monroe Journal. This was a historical event that in our opinion should have been covered regardless of your political affiliation.

The coverage should not have been based on the highest percentage of votes cast for a particular candidate. It was just as worthy of the spotlight as the young man on stilts. Your infinitesimal blurb about this event lends to the credibility of your newspaper as a news source for the citizens of Monroe County and surrounding communities. Your commitment to serve all those living within these communities should be above reproach.

Although 55 percent (6,173) of the votes cast in Monroe County went to Sen. McCain and 45 percent (5,023) went to Sen. Obama, Sen. Obama, on a national level, became our president-elect. We believe that he will serve all US citizens and not just those who voted for him.

When we left our homes 25 years ago for the military service, we did not leave to serve a certain segment within the population of Alabama. We joined to serve all Alabamians. That commitment to service will remain until and long after we exit the service in a few years. We do not expect leaders within those communities that we left behind to do any different. We would like to look back on those communities and speak proudly of them and not of disgust.

The citizens of Alabama have made great strides in their efforts to create a society where all are valued. Please do not serve as a hindrance to those efforts. In closing, the communities of whom you serve should expect unbiased reporting of events such as this historic presidential election whether we agree or disagree with the outcome.

We are hopeful that you will make an amends in next week’s paper to reflect the historical significance of this event.

KELVIN W. HINKLE

Sergeant Major

US Army

 

PERRY L. STALLWORTH

Sergeant Major

US Army

Paper is a disgrace

Dear Editor,

Your coverage of the election results was extremely disappointing.  Of particular concern was your “one liner” about Barack Obama’s defeat of John McCain. As if you needed to prove a point, you emphasized the 1,100 vote margin for McCain.

Your paper is a disgrace. You, Mr. Editor, are despicable. This is a historic moment that you would like to downplay. I encourage every black person and every decent white person to cancel their subscription to your paper. Although I live in Pensacola, I will start a petition that will seek to undermine your existence. You should all hang your heads in shame.

Bo Harris

Pensacola, Fla.

Thanks for effort

Dear Editor,

This is the holiday season, and I am begging one more time for your help with the Hillcrest Cemetery.

You have all been so generous and this is most appreciated, but I would so love to see the paving finished. Ride through Hillcrest and admire what has been done there. If you can just dig a little deeper and lets make our cemetery as attractive as we can. Thank you all for your efforts – it would be wonderful to make this Christmas season brighter for everyone.

Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Anne H. Farish

Reward offered

Dear Editor,

For the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for terrorizing my widowed neighbor on Experiment Farm Road.

Shooting deer at night has been a favorite pastime in Monroeville for years. It’s a real sport. You ride around until you spot a deer. While the deer is blinded by your lights and totally helpless, you slaughter the poor animal. What a sick sport!

Night hunting is a serious offense. If caught, not only do you go to jail but also your guns and vehicle are confiscated. After that you get to pay steep fines and get your hunting license revoked. This is a bad enough offense if you do it out in the wild blue yonder. You jack the stakes up even higher when you start shooting high-powered rifles and buckshot in town, around houses. Most people know if you shoot a gun into an occupied dwelling you could face serious prison time (maybe two to 20 years). If someone is killed in the process, it’s taken to another level.

From where this shot was fired at least six houses could have been hit. Highway 21, the main four-lane artery going into Monroeville was only 100 yards away. Gate Precast was also within shooting range. You would think being within a quarter of a mile or so from the hospital and the junior college you should be protected from things like this. Multiple city and state laws were broke here. Why would anyone take this risk? For some strange reason it seems that these people aren’t concerned about being caught by law enforcement. Just a few nights after Mrs. Harris was almost killed, someone shot a doe deer that was nursing two babies. It was such a pitiful sight to see those babies looking for their mother. This incident occurred 200 yards south of the Harris shooting. This deer was shot with a high-powered rifle only 30 or 40 yards from the front door of another neighbor. From the general direction this shot was fired, innocent people riding along Highway 21 or people at the junior college or at Gate Precast could have been killed. Several other houses were in the line of fire also.

For years my neighborhood and other neighborhoods have been dodging bullets. It goes on and on and on and nothing is ever done about it. Nobody gets caught and nobody ever goes to jail. Welcome to the Wild, Wild West!

If the person or persons arrested and convicted happens to be a member of any law enforcement agency, the reward will be upped to $10,000.

Sincerely,

Bill Harper

Monroeville