The content of our character
We must each always keep and respect our individual culture and heritage. And every American must recognize and respect everyone else’s culture and heritage. But we must ALL recognize there is also a heritage and culture that reflects what being an American is and that culture and heritage must reign supreme above all others.
As Americans we all seek what is promised each of us for being such, and it is up to all Americans to see that every American has the equal opportunity to receive those promises such as; life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and equal treatment under the law. But as groups it is obvious we are failing, however, I believe united we can and will succeed.
It is expected that some will have disagreements but we must all agree that we respect each other as Americans and we do that when we support everyone’s right to free expression and free speech. But when that disagreement turns to lawlessness and violence the lawless have broken the bond that unites us as Americans and that cannot be celebrated it must be shunned, rebuked, scorned and viewed as unacceptable behavior performed by an American.
It is beneath what we are, America, a country of laws.
If we truly want to come together as a country and rid our country of racism and discrimination we must first quit segregating ourselves by race, gender, religion or sexual orientation and commit ourselves to our country, the United States of America, as one people under the law. But this must not just be required of ordinary Americans it must be required of our leaders, as well, who far too often seem to operate under different rules and laws. This cannot stand in a united America.
We must ALL be Americans first and only then will we have the opportunity to achieve Dr. King’s dream.
Bill Wink, Hidden Valley Lake
Their lives matter
The Republican Party, especially Donald Trump, are all for the right to bear arms. They support open carry laws. Yet at the Republican convention, “NO GUNS ALLOWED.”
Apparently when it is their lives at stake, the rules change.
What a bunch of hypocrites.
Betty Chirco, Lakeport
