I know this guy, please consider leaving some kind feedback for him

[booksenkatz]

http://startelegrameditwriters.typepad.com/letters_to_the_startelegr/2009/01/i-will-remember-today.html

The comments so far are abysmal. I told the writer that he can't expect positive comments from a Ft. Worth paper, but it's our hometown and he wanted to get it published there. It's an interesting essay, because he's always considered himself a Republican, only stopped identifying with them in the past couple of years. He's not politically active and has never written a letter like this -- I'm still in shock that he wrote this, and I want to encourage his drift leftward. It's already been published in the Burleson paper. I sure hope he doesn't lose his job over it!

Any support you can lend him, just a kind few words, would be great.

Thanks!

[stillcool]

1. done

[booksenkatz]

2. Thank you so much, stillcool! nt

[truedelphi]

3. The letter that the link took me to was a lovely inspiring

Piece about a man who was an educator?

Did I pull up the right story? How can something so inspiring and rather begign (to my way of thinking) be under attack. Pls explain...

[booksenkatz]

4. Yes, that's the link

I just love how red Texas can't let it rest. This was just one guy's reflection on how he felt that day, how he connected it to other historical days in his life, but it must be stamped out and destroyed because this guy is discovering beauty in what Obama represents.

This guy has never been politically involved, has always been a Republican until recently. This is his first ltte, and I want to encourage him as much as I can. I'd like to see him in print again in the future in the Ft. Worth paper!

[ZombieHorde]

5. Done.

[booksenkatz]

7. Thank you! By the way, the comments don't appear right away --

I think that the comments get sent to the writer before he okays them (this is a new feature at the "Startle-Gram" as Molly Ivins used to call it), so the comments won't appear right away. I'm sure he'll welcome them! Thanks for your contribution.

[kenichol]

6. I commented

It was such a good letter, a comment was easy. ANd I understand when living in a conservative (even racist) community, kind words from other liberals DO help. I've been touched by DU's spirit of generosity that way!

[booksenkatz]

8. Thank you very much, and welcome to DU!

:hi:

I normally wouldn't make a pitch for this if it were not for the fact that this guy really, really deserves encouragement. He's been on the wrong side of the aisle for too long, I'm thrilled that he's drifting leftward. This is the last person in my life I ever would have expected to have written this essay, I want him to join our side and use his words to hammer the right!

[JohnnyLib2]

9. Done, as John Joseph.

More explanation would be appreciated. thanks.

[booksenkatz]

11. What in particular do you need explained?

I can't really see what I left out, let me know what further explanation you need.

Thanks!:)

[JohnnyLib2]

15. I was late with that question, so please ignore.

Good cause......

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

10. done

Let your friend know that there are folks in Ft. Worth that agree with him (my in-laws).

[booksenkatz]

12. Thank you!

It's hard for a Dem in a red area, harder still for those who are in the midst of a political awakening. We need to lend them special encouragement! Thank you so much.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

14. Tell him to go to TANSSAFL

in Arlington if he likes Guinness on tap. The owners are true blue liberals.

[booksenkatz]

16. Ha ha! Will do.:D

I've been up here in Michigan since '95, and everyone back home tells me that I'd be surprised at how much things have changed politically since I left Texas. When I left, the only blue area was Austin, but now I'm told Dallas is (almost?) there. Some folks back in Ft. Worth had given me hope that we'd turn Tarrant County blue this past election, but I don't think it happened. But just the concept of such a possibility continues to amaze me, LOL!

[Glorfindel]

13. Done! Thanks for posting this.

n/t

[Saturday]

17. Done, I posted as Becky White. nt

[booksenkatz]

18. Thanks, yyy!:)

[Saturday]

22. I just got an email saying I forgot to state my city but if I.....

responded with it it would be printed.

[Jack Bone]

19. done...I hadta rebut what that ol' navy guy posted..in my own sarcastic...

but polite way.

[booksenkatz]

20. Heh heh, thanks RRH! Can't wait to read these. NT

[tabatha]

21. Mine was not approved. I said something like this:

"I remember the day after the inauguration when Obama listened to some military personnel who were agahst at the loss of honor to the US; that honor was destroyed by the non-military Bush/Cheney."

I guess it was too blunt.

[booksenkatz]

23. Really?

I don't think that's too blunt at all!

I'm not sure how the approval system works, there seems to be an odd lag, so give it time, hopefully it'll show up. I'll have to ask this guy if there were any comments he opted not to approve, although I can't imagine there would be any, since he's already approved 4 hateful comments from right wingers. I'm also wondering if the newspaper holds some sort of editorial sway on comments my friend approves. This is, after all, a right wing newspaper. If my buddy says he approved everything, yet some of your comments don't show up, then we'll know for sure what's going on.

[Saturday]

24. Read my comment above, my email came from the editor....

not your friend.

[JohnnyLib2]

25. Mine is posted now, after I added the hometown.

RWers will be riled up, eh?

[booksenkatz]

26. "Dexter" returned, he's a real character

It prompted me to add my own comment at last to that forum.

Thanks again to all of you for lending your ear and/or commentary to this situation!