we better off now than we were in 2000?

Amarillo Globe News ^ | 10/27/03 | Stacy L. Weills

[Maria S]

Are we better off now than we were in 2000?

When my husband, Thomas, and I voted in the last presidential election, two interesting things occurred. First, Thomas was told his vote had already been cast, which was definitely untrue.

"How could someone have gotten away with voting as Thomas Weills?" we asked, since we had to have an ID and voting card and be on the ballot list to vote. In all the time I've been married to Thomas, I have never seen his last name duplicated.

The second thing occurred as I waited for Thomas to fill out paperwork swearing he had not yet voted. One of the women staffing the polls sidled up to me and said out of the corner of her mouth, "We definitely need a change! My son is in the service, and he and his fellow soldiers complain about how bad things are."

I said nothing but just looked at her, knowing that she and I had differing opinions on who should win. When she realized this, she turned red and scooted away.

I'd like to ask this woman: Just how bad were things then compared to how they are now? With military morale at an all-time low because of an unjustified, expensive war, I'd love to hear what her son has to say about "how bad things are."

[Maria S]

"With military morale at an all-time low because of an unjustified, expensive war, I'd love to hear what her son has to say about "how bad things are."

I continue to hear, even here in conservative Amarillo, how our military's morale is at an all-time low. Can any of our military-related FReepers provide info otherwise? After reading 'Dereliction of Duty', I figured the military morale couldn't get ANY lower!

[RiflemanSharpe]

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[Xenalyte]

Hoo boy, did you ever come to the right place. Tonkin can definitely help.

[Uncle Miltie]

Are we safer now than we were on 9/10/01?

[Prime Choice]

Are we safer now than we were on 9/10/01?

Well, of course. We only have a few million adherents to a "religion of peace" who are only trying to kill us. Business as usual.

Are we safer? Let's take a tally of the terrorist attacks on American soil since 2001 and review sometime...

[ladyinred]

Of course we are better off. Too bad so many seem to be listening to and falling for the left's propaganda against the President and the war for their own political gain. The media campaign against him is working, and if we all just sit here, we are doomed.

[OldFriend]

Where would this creature be if albore was president?

[Right_in_Virginia]

With military morale at an all-time low because of an unjustified, expensive war, I'd love to hear what her son has to say about "how bad things are."

I don't have any evidence to say this isn't true...except we are NOT fighting an unjust war.

If our heroes are feeling low...maybe we need to figure out how to help shore up their morale and let them know the vast majority of Americans support their efforts and are grateful for their sacrifice.

[upchuck]

If, as you maintain, this lady was a poll worker, her comment was way out of line. She should have been tossed on the spot. This from someone who has been working the polls for years. I've seen workers tossed for much less.

[Maria S]

"If, as you maintain, this lady was a poll worker, her comment was way out of line. She should have been tossed on the spot. This from someone who has been working the polls for years. I've seen workers tossed for much less."

Good point! (although, remember, I'm just posting this woman's letter; I don't know if this actually happened or not) I DO wish you or some other freeper would answer this letter via your own letter-to-the-editor in the Amarillo paper. I can't; already used up my once a month submission.

[roadcat]

"With military morale at an all-time low because of an unjustified, expensive war"

Actually, I think the war was cheap (so far). The Demoncrats said the major hostilities would last years during which many thousands of our soldiers would die early in the battles. We routed them in weeks. And it was definitely justified. 10 years of them taking potshots at our pilots enforcing the no-fly zones. Kicking out inspectors, which is a sign they're hiding bad stuff. Not accounting for missing chemicals and weapons that magically disappeared. The terrorist training camps, including a full mockup of an airliner to practice hijackings. Not to mention the love letters between Saddam and Al-qaida. Etc.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Good points, all...thanks!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Tonkin can definitely help."

Actually Ragtime Cowgirl is the "expert" in this area.
Just click on the graphic.

[gcruse]

I continue to hear, even here in conservative Amarillo....

I grew up in Amarillo and left in 1961.  Didn't come back
until last year.  I'd be hard pressed to call Amarillo conservative
anymore.  The newspaper used to be what you'd call extreme
right, but now it's liberal.  The population has also swerved in
the ethnic direction.  I honestly couldn't wait to move out of
there again.  The place used to be livable.  But that was before
I discovered oceans, mountains, and things to entertain oneself.

[Maria S]

"The newspaper used to be what you'd call extreme
right, but now it's liberal. The population has also swerved in the ethnic direction."

You're right about the paper (the things I could tell you about that paper!). And the population, at least in Potter County, is increasingly Latino. However, Randall County remains middle to upper-middle class white and conservative.

I grew up here, too...maybe that's why, even though I've been all over this country, I STILL look forward to coming home (even if it is flat, treeless, and less than picturesque!). Too bad we lost you! Amarillo's loss is ******'s gain!

[Smedley]

The institute of Anti-American Commies