Letter: Straightening things out

Dear readers of the BVD,

Please allow me to straighten things out, if I can.

First of all, I appreciated Tammy Jordan’s response to my letter of shock over the VOTE WISELY ad. Actually, I mostly agreed with her, and I learned (again) how careful one must be with words. But may I say that some readers might have been a bit more careful about what they read into my words.

In my letter of September 10, I pointed out where I was in full accord with some of the Republican opinions in their ad and that, after all, I had voted Republican for sixty years! I also said I was not speaking for myself alone but for all Democrats who do not align themselves with the ideas of “killing babies, riots and violence, communism, etc.” Why then did Tammy say that I think “only my views are right and anyone with a differing opinion is wrong?” I am truly sorry if I ever give that impression. I normally bend over backwards to find places of agreement in discussions and try to understand where people that differ from me are coming from. One very passionate Republican came to my house, and we had a great, congenial conversation about our views and feelings, neither of us bandying about the words “right” and “wrong,” the kind of conversation that Tammy wants us all to have in these divisive days.

Secondly, the problem with the WISELY ad is that it puts false words in the mouths of Democrats. The Franke-Plumlee ad that was referred to by Tammy did not do that or say anything derogatory about the opposite party. If the WISELY ad had stated, “Vote for Republicans because we stand for the list in the right-hand column,” that would have been fine, and fair. But the ad continued with, “I am a Democrat, I am for . . .” things that are not basic Democratic beliefs, except for some extremists. So, okay, maybe that is the opinion of the writers-of-the-ad, sadly enough. But my purpose was to show how unfair opinions can divide friendships and make people afraid of each other.

Thirdly, Tammy’s last paragraph was wonderful! It really is the rallying cry of most Democrats and liberals (and apparently some Republicans, which I honor tremendously: “Only those with open minds, open hearts, and a willingness to let one another have [his or her] own opinions and views without judgement can make this world any better.” Yes, yes, yes! I truly hope, as I believe Tammy hopes, we of differing views can have positive and constructive conversations, disagree and still be friends, not judge too quickly, and reach out to each other with respect and empathy. There was not a lot of opening of hearts and minds in the WISELY ad. It seemed to be perpetuating discord. But, hey, I could be wrong. So I will wait to see who, of those writers, is open to my attempt to clarify and to my views that may differ from theirs. In my heart, I believe Tammy Jordan will be one of them.

In all sincerity,

Liz Cain