Editor's note: The next two letters originally appeared on Monday's (Sept. 1) editorial page but with the names of their authors reversed. We're reprinting the letters today, with the names of their actual authors. The Gazette-Times regrets the error.

DNC satire was full of stereotypes

I read the Aug. 28 commentary titled "Denver filled with strange Democrats."

Why is our local newspaper publishing journalism that promotes rigid and destructive stereotyping? I am speaking for myself and for people who, regardless of political affiliation, care deeply about the environment and about the current state of social welfare in this country.

Raspberries to the Gazette-Times on this decision.

Jan Fraser, Corvallis

Last's words should be his last in GT

I sincerely hope that his Aug. 28 commentary will be the last word we shall hear from Jonathan V. Last ("Denver filled with strange Democrats").

Mr. Last starts by making assumptions (i.e., we readers think that either political convention is glamorous), continues with slurs against the Constitution's freedom of speech and ends with allusions designed to strike the fear of Germany(!) into the hearts of us all. If he is so concerned about Fascism, the current administration provides an excellent example of it. Fascism, after all, represents a conservative, not a liberal, regime.

In attempting to make his case against the Democrats, Mr. Last, lacking any originality, can only repeat the hackneyed mantras of the Republican Party. The same party that has run roughshod over our constitutional rights, flouted the Geneva Conventions by torturing prisoners, perpetrated a murderous and illegal war on a sovereign country, ravaged the economy and our international reputation, while saddling generations to come with enormous debt, if not war guilt.

His editorial is fear-mongering and mud-slinging at its most reprehensible. If, perhaps, he intended to be humorous, he was not. He was offensive.

Mr. Last needs to give his readership more credit for intelligence than he does, get over his blinkered focus on appearances, and work on substantive issues in a more inclusive manner.

Martin Mulford, Corvallis

Don't judge dogs by their looks alone

My family and I recently found a dog at the Humane Society. We pondered over whether we would get this dog. The dog is a Shar-Pei mix. The "mix" part is unknown, but through Internet research, I determined that this dog had a mixture of Lab. After debating and restless nights of sleep we decided to go ahead and get all of the necessities to ensure that this dog was properly taken care. The dog is quiet, gets along with other dogs and does not mind other cats being around and it loved our kids. All four of us fell head over heels for her. We live in an apartment, so we had to have the owners meet the dog. That's when we were told this dog would be perceived as a pit bull by other people and due to the fear of the "pit-bull look" we could not keep her, so we had to give her back.

What I have learned is that there is such a bad perception about some dogs that others have the right to tell us what dogs we can and cannot have. I agree that pit bulls have been used to fight and they have hurt others, but I feel that's the mistake of people who do not train their dogs properly. My family and I were denied our rights to a dog that "looked" like a pit bull. I think that this is completely wrong. Do not treat dogs by what they look like, but by the way they behave and by the way they have been trained. I hope that we all start looking at dogs as individuals and not by their looks.

Brian Cooke, Corvallis

Obama beats McCain for responsibility

Carolyn Webb (Letters, Aug. 21) seems to think that Sen. John McCain is the best man for the job of president, but I don't agree.

For instance, she says McCain has "the morals for the job," yet, after promising a clean campaign, McCain hired Karl Rove to run his ship, a man who would rather run than face the Senate Judiciary Committee. McCain's campaign has since come out with a number of nasty attack ads, many of which are full of falsehoods.

Webb also says McCain "has the maturity … needed to be president." But McCain is nearly famous for his sexually inappropriate comments in front of reporters, including suggesting his wife perform in a topless contest and calling her dirty names in public.

That's presidential material?

Webb says she likes McCain's (very recent) support for offshore drilling and for nuclear energy … but, Carolyn, those have been supported by Obama all along, as PART of a comprehensive energy package which includes solar power, capping greenhouse gases and drastically increasing fuel efficiency on cars, not the seat of your pants, one-size-fits-all style of government that the "Maverick" seems to favor.

Last, Webb says Obama has a nearly nonexistent record. Unlike McCain, however, Obama has been present in the Senate this spring and summer, doing his job by voting for such measures as the GI Bill and Medicare and funding for the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, yet McCain was nowhere to be seen.

I ask: Who's the responsible, mature one here?

Rachel McGonagill, Corvallis

'Talking points' on Obama questionable

Carolyn Webb makes interesting statements regarding Barack Obama while supporting John McCain. (Letters, Aug. 21).

Let's take a look at the implications of these very broad statements. "The most liberal member of Congress." Is this a bad thing? Webster's online gives this definition of "liberal:" "Broad-Minded; especially: not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms." Sounds a lot like our Founding Fathers to me.

"He is not loyal or patriotic to the United States. … lack of loyalty in not wanting to wear a flag pin." Is loyalty to the USA defined solely by wearing a flag lapel pin?

"I doubt his Christianity." Let's assume he's NOT Christian. Does this mean only Christians should be president? Claiming to be Christian does not remove moral bankruptcy. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are devout Christians. Each is utterly morally bankrupt in his own way.

I doubt Obama could make worse judicial appointments than that of Bush's appointment of Robert Somma, who was arrested for a DUI while in drag after being appointed to the federal bench.

Lastly, as far as the national debt is concerned: The national debt has increased the most under Republican presidents. George W. and Ronald Reagan are the top spenders.

"Talking points" and "Truth" rarely intersect. Check your sources and your "facts."

John T.L. Lee, Corvallis