May 6, 2006

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Dear Sir,

I wish to comment upon yet another example of the vacuousness of our news culture. Unfortunately it also speaks to the ignorance of the electorate.

In recent days we have seen “news” stories about George Allen wearing a Confederate Flag pin in his youth. We then read of the startling discovery that Senator Allen’s potential opponent for the senate, one James Webb, gave a speech a few years back praising the courage and sacrifice of soldiers in the Confederate Army. Good Lord, the horror!!!

What has this to do with anything of importance regarding their run for the senate? How does this in any way indicate how either of these men will govern? Why are we not reading about those matters in each of their lives that would indicate their stance on issues of the day? Do they have a voting record? What have they voted for or against during their tenure in politics? Are they for or against big government? Do they support and defend the Constitution or seek to undermine it? The questions go on and on.

Perhaps the real problem is with those who think this sort of “news” is important. Those who continue to vilify the south, the southern soldier of the Late Unpleasantness, all white southerners in general, should instead educate themselves about that particular time in our nation’s past. Of course that would require some effort and the ability to read and comprehend the English language. It would mean that a great many Americans would have to stop believing everything they hear on TV or read in the newspaper as the unadulterated gospel. I won’t hold my breath waiting for that to happen.

In the meantime perhaps our “news” sources could do us all a greater service by reporting news of importance regarding our current and potential representatives, instead of continuing to insult us with supermarket tabloid stories.

Sincerely,

Floyd C. Bayne