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Highlands Today

Whiteman Was Off-Base With Obama Remarks

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By VICKIE EDWARDS Guest Column

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 8, 2008

This letter is in response to Raleigh Whiteman's article "Bigotry Outnumbered This Election Season." Mr. Whiteman is obviously one of the bigots who were outnumbered - thank God for that.

I am a registered independent who, I am ashamed to say, voted for George W. in 2000 and proud to say I did not vote for him in 2004. I voted for Barack Obama in 2008. I didn't "proclaim" my support for Obama (although all those close to me know for whom I was voting) because I live in Highlands County and most of my friends are die-hard Republicans who would never consider voting or a person from another party. I did not proclaim my support because I did not care to argue with dear friends, not because I was shamed of my choice.

Surely Mr. Whiteman had a misprint when he was quoted as saying president-elect Obama believes in giving unearned money to those who are "not capable of providing for themselves." I am sure no one believes we should not help a person who is not capable. I hope what he meant to say was those unwilling to provide for themselves, which is entirely different and few would support.

I do believe that same sex marriage is between two people and is a private subject. Never have I heard that anyone plans to teach homosexuality in schools. I am not among the "majority of young people" who believe that abortion is "all right." I do not believe anyone believes abortion is all right but it can be necessary and again should be a private matter between a woman, her God and her doctor.

The Republicans espouse that big government is not good and has no business regulating guns, etc. Yet they insist on regulating the most private aspects of one's life - sexuality and medical decisions.

Mr. Whiteman recants a story about a woman who could not understand why her son would vote for Obama. I think that woman should be proud that she raised a free-thinking person. My daughter and I had several conversations regarding this election and it was I (61 years old) trying to convince her (36) to vote for Obama. I do not know for certain for whom she voted but I am proud that she cares enough about this country and her children's future that she voted.

Mr. Whiteman relates to a time when he was in school and had to receive free lunches and shamed he was. I am the "child" of staunch Republicans and I too had to receive "free" lunches at school. However, my mother made sure I earned my "free" lunches so I worked in the school cafeteria. You would think this would cause great embarrassment and harassment from my peers but I never felt that. Maybe that is just the difference in the way Mr. Whiteman and I were raised.

So Mr. Whiteman, rather that "espousing" unity for President-elect Obama, maybe you should actually give him a chance to prove or disprove himself. Instead of saying you will continue to be optimistic, write about optimism and the good that may come from this change. Your reference to the first jihad in the United States was way off base.

We can "overcome bigotry" by eliminating the generalities expounded by this likes of you.

Vicki Edwards lives in Avon Park.

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