Worrisome political tone

Letters to the Editor

Worrisome political tone

The news of late has displayed a discouragingly negative tone. There were always those with intractable views. Yet there was also an acceptance of the gentle sway between progressive and conservative eras. It was like winning or losing a game, shaking hands and meeting tomorrow for a rematch.

I fear that larger portions of the population are becoming increasingly disenchanted with those they once considered countrymen. It’s no longer just a difference of political opinion, but good versus evil. That those with different views or life experiences are not “us” but instead are “them” and should be disregarded, marginalized or even suppressed.

Of course America has seen far worse than this, we should feel confident that this situation is no big deal.

But then I see this very strange man whom we have selected as president. From him comes a never-ending string of illogical, inconsistent statements overflowing with extreme assertions. He emanates a tone of irreconcilable aggression, dominance and exclusion against those who disagree. According to him, the sky is falling and only his Atlas-like persona can save it.

Politics is tough and spin is unavoidable, but must it be this condemnatory and vainglorious?

John Vance

Lexington

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Letters to the Editor

Schaeffer column on tribalism draws responses. Also, thoughts on respectful firefighters, McConnell, border wall

By Herald-Leader readers

February 22, 2019 11:51 AM

Expansive identity

Because of our experience as Peace Corps volunteers and staff living and working in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Fiji, and our experience since of knowing immigrants as good friends and family, we have a much broader idea of identity than what Cameron S. Schaeffer described in his recent Herald-Leader commentary (“Tribalism and media prejudice ruining America”, Feb. 16).

We know it’s possible for immigrant citizens to feel connected to and contribute to both the United States and their countries of origin. It is even possible for those who are American-born to be connected to and contribute to the United States and another country. We know an immigrant from Libya who has lived in Lexington for 35 years and says, “I value this country in a different way than people who were born here because I have seen both sides. There is nothing wrong with loving two countries.” Another says, “I am from South Sudan but I am also American. It’s both of me. I have to stand in the middle.”