Letter writer takes left turn in criticism

Letter writer Jules Ohrin-Greipp (“Debate the facts rather than fears,” March 18) began by making a valid point: Exchanges between rivals in the world of politics have degenerated into something ugly, caustic, insulting and verbally abusive. Then his letter took a left turn, figuratively speaking.

Ohrin-Greipp addressed concerns expressed by another writer regarding “indoctrination” of students in our schools. That in and of itself isn't disturbing, but the way he went about it can give one pause. He wrote, “Is it indoctrination when schools insist on teaching science rather than religious myth? Is it indoctrination when schools teach our children to think rather than regurgitate old, tired mantras?”

Religious myths? Old, tired mantras? What does that tell us about Ohrin-Greipp's attitude toward religion? Most folks don't want religion — any religion — taught in public schools, but they don't want it ridiculed and/or subordinated either.

Ohrin-Greipp then turned to political commentary, and in chastising those who don't approve of the job Barack Obama is doing, suggested that if they saw him walking on water they would accuse him of “... not trying to swim.”

No, what we might accuse him of is strategically placing rocks under the surface of the water so as to make it look like he was walking on water. That would be in keeping with how he presents himself. Maybe it's time to get rid of the rocks.

Ohrin-Greipp destroyed whatever credibility we may have acknowledged by bringing up the race card, citing “‘birthers,' the ‘deathers' and all the other ‘fringers' who present racist opinion as fact.” I guess when he can't support Obama by relying on his record ... well, put it this way: Desperate times call for desperate measures. Or maybe, any port in a storm.

No, we aren't avoiding fact and reacting to fears; we have fears as a result of facts. I guess he doesn't get that.

Gene Lemon

Yuma