Reader Responses

This is in response to a letter in the East Texas Mailbox (July 23) from a person irritated that Obama would say it is embarrassing that Americans can't speak a second language.

Ever since McCain and Obama were nominated I'm learning much more than I ever wanted to know about a few of my fellow East Texans.

My "good Christian" neighbor and sometimes friend who calls me an arm chair Christian, recently told me he can't vote for McCain and won't vote for a black, so he will stay home on election day. My Catholic friend who has preached for years about the evils of bigotry now says she doesn't think we are "ready" for a black president.

And now we have those who dissect every statement made by Obama because it is easier to criticize him than to deal with their own Christianity and prejudices.

Years ago Martin Luther King dreamed that someday we would be judged, not by the color of our skin but by the content of our character, and I believe we should start doing this in the upcoming election.

I've read Michelle and Barack's biographies on the Internet as well as Cindy and John's. I can say I will gladly take the Obamas' skin colors over the McCain's characters any day.

Mary Jones
Kilgore