Compare Obama to Abraham Lincoln

The parallels between Barack Obama and Abraham Lincoln are striking.

Both were born in humble circumstances and had difficult childhoods. Both had the luck of being born brilliant, and both acquired considerable learning, although by different means. Both men were intensely ambitious from an early age, and both focused their ambitions on politics.

Lincoln was a magnetic communicator and drew enormous crowds. The same is true of Obama. Lincoln was an excellent writer, as is Obama. Lincoln used humor extensively in dealing with difficult situations. Obama shows a gift for that, although he has been necessarily restrained during his campaigns.

Lincoln would usually make an important decision only after consulting with people who knew more about the subject than he did. Obama has shown the same trait.

Many people disliked Lincoln because of his support of freedom for people of African descent. Many people dislike Obama because he is partly of African descent.

Both men faced enormous crises when elected president, although we can still hope that Obama's will not be as great as those Lincoln faced.

Lincoln made some mistakes as president, but he proved equal to the difficult challenges confronting him. Obama will of course make some mistakes, but we have every reason to believe he, too, will be equal to the difficult job that awaits him.

Aaron Brown, Corvallis

What abuses will Obama bring?

Yesterday, with the support of a partisan press, including the Gazette-Times, which helped hide or minimize his many flaws, a new president was elected. The only good thing I see is that he is "black."

Perhaps that is sufficient and yet today there are already calls from the "Democrats" to muzzle the radio programs by reviving the Orwellian "Fairness" doctrine.

Tomorrow God knows what will there be: "Show trials" of opposition members … a civilian pro-Obama militia? … the abandonment of Israel? … Will our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan be left without support as in the Somalian disaster of "Black Hawk Down"? Will there be recognition of the racist government of Cuba, which despite the racial composition of that country has very few senior "black" members? … Only the Lord knows.

Now the Gazette-Times, which helped put him there, has a duty to watch and when necessary criticize. I am not hopeful you will.

Larry Daley, Corvallis

Wars shorter in time of kings? No way

Jane Sivetz's Nov. 5 letter, "Wars were shorter when kings fought," needs some clarification.

Kings were part of a monarchy, in which wars for land, riches and dictatorship stretched sometimes into the hundreds of years (Wars of France).

Even European civil wars lasted half a century or more, and were perpetuated and passed down from one king to the next. Kings were never elected, and thus were seen as expendable by the people they ruled over.

The United States of America was formed as a democracy, whose government is decided by and represented by "the people." In fact, individuals who fled from the tyranny and oppression of monarchies and the king's rule formed this democracy, and the president's position represented the head of this newly formed government.

Whether we choose to support our presidency or not is individually up to each of us.

However, it's always the decision of the majority of the populace of this country, who elected the president to that spot. The presidency is our highest and most honored service, which must be protected and saved for all "the people" it represents.

Gary Thurman, Corvallis

Don't insult those who speak out

It is wrong to use language to intimidate. We all need to cultivate the "nerve" to speak out about our views in a positive tone that inspires others to create positive solution together.

People who hold positions of responsibility have a greater responsibility for setting an example. While it is important to have accurate information, sometimes that isn't possible until after having a discussion.

In today's political environment, there is way too much negativity in defending one's point of view.

Why not welcome opposing view for discussion and listen with respect so we increase awareness for the whole picture? When we listen with respect to differences of opinion, we allow everyone to benefit with a broader base for reference. Especially in the planning stage, we need to soften our voice and listen with our hearts in a spirit of cooperation.

When we believe someone is uninformed, we can offer information in a kind manner without criticizing.

Insulting people creates distance and may prevent cooperation that could benefit and build community spirit.

Through tact and compassion we create workable solutions. Positive solutions happen though positive behavior.

I wish the director (of Dial-A-Bus) had delivered her accurate information with greater tact and compassion for the uninformed.

Personally, I admire her on-going service to our community, and I support her efforts.

Jocelyn Preston, Corvallis