Read other letters about this article

• Monday, November 17, 2008 08:18 PM

  Zoltan Newberry (and, for that matter, Lotus Feet too)

  First, out of deference to Lotus Feet's delicate sensibilities I will assiduously seek to avoid the use of four-letter words or other constructs which might be considered uncivil or politically incorrect (which, being directed toward the Right, is really weird, but at least a fun challenge). I see no reason, however, to extend the same courtesey toward Newberry for obvious reasons.

  That being said, there are a couple items I'd like to point out to you, and please bear in mind this is a lifelong Republican addressing you now, not someone unfortunate enough (in your estimation at least, Zorro I mean Zoltan) to live in a benighted place like Mill Valley. I am also -- in my own estimation, at least, having grown up under the influence of real conservatives such as Dwight Eisenhower, Barry Goldwater, Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs (yes, you read that right), a congenital conservative. Further, when I presented myself at Fort Holabird in order to enlist and learned I had "something" wrong with my heart (boy, was that an understatement!), and failed the physical during the Vietnam unpleasantness, I wound up working as a civilian corpsman at NNMC, and have cared for the illnesses and injuries and countless American servicemen and women.

  All that is by way of qualifying this next part, which is, to whit: If either of you, let alone both, feel that somehow your having served in Vietnam makes you defacto Good Human Beings, if you believe you were protecting the rest of us even though we didn't deserve, in hindsight, your most generous protection, then I'm truly sorry you wound up with that burden and strongly suggest you quit nursing the wound and move on to more fertile fields such as fomenting hate and discontent among your fellow regret-wallowers, instead of trying to make your contempt for your fellow Americans look like patriotism on your part. Or maybe just seek professional help for this condition.

  I'm embarrassed to know that such anti-American sentiment can be spouted by any two former American military personel, as you obviously misunderstood your mission when you signed up. It's for all the people, not just the ones who agree with your inane and utterly uninformed points of view.

  Lotus Feet, I pray this doesn't offend you. Newberry, you homophobe, frankly I don't give a rat's ass.

  —AJCalhoun Read AJCalhoun's other letters
  Permalink
  Flag
  Click "Submit Flag" if you feel this post is inappropriate. Explain why below if you wish.

  Cancel