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Dear Editor:
OK, who fired the first shot (Reader seeks more details of hearing, Sept. 24)?
Was it that Rick Laney, our seasoned and talented Daily Times reporter? Check him out! Republican or Democrat? Or was it Republican Peggy Lambert?
Well, if it was neither who played out the recent Calixto politics in Circuit Court, hitting up on ‘dang Republican Judge Dale Young; then it’s gots to be ‘dat ‘dang Democrat Joe Gallagher.
Are we missing anyone? Oh, right, our victim from Nicaragua who was denied an order of protection from her estranged husband. She must be Democrat, since Mr. Gallagher weighed in on this one.
Convinced we were sincere about Calixto’s case, I continued reading with interest, until I saw the author’s name. I then went back through the letter carefully, and bingo: Lambert’s a Republican. This suggests that Mr. Gallagher was not sincere about Calixto’s plight, but instead wanted to draw GOP blood.
We can’t ignore the one fact that politics and personalities are co-joined in this county. One does not exist without the other, or damn the issue, full speed ahead to, “I hate you because of your party affiliation!” Many past issues have been dipped in party venom that killed the issues sake party lines.
My argument is one of basic trust that can withstand the scrutiny of integrity. If you want politics, hit your opponent, but keep your gloves on out of respect. If you want issues important to everyone, then remain strictly to the question and don’t touch your opponent.
When we can come together, argue the merits, and then return to our homes trusting everyone here with our very lives if necessary, we can then call ourselves We the People, sufficiently powerful to meet any challenge before us. This can happen, with time and patience.
Respectfully,
Joe Starbuck
1904 Brunswick Drive
Maryville, TN 37803