Moses and DeVine Intervention

The Aiken Standard published on February 18, 2009, still another letter from Moses Mims who as usual extolled the countless virtues of the Obama administration. He also exaggerated approval ratings for President Obama and his plans. While Mims says that Obama and his plans enjoy a 76% favorable rating, Rasmussen Reports Obama had 60% approval as of February 18. As for his plans, some of which are nebulous, only 38% believe the so-called stimulus bill will help.

As is customary for all those of the liberal left, Mims indulges himself in obligatory bad-mouthing of Republicans and the Bush administration, which he blames for our current economic problems. This he and his like minded comrades do with the full support of main stream media despite the fact that much of the problem can be traced back to potentially well meaning (I give the benefit of a doubt), but irresponsible pressure on banks to give mortgages to individuals who could not afford them. From that point we started down a slippery slope that may never end.

This pressure for risky loans came during the terms of Presidents Carter and Clinton and their congresses. Long time Congressman Barney Frank (D) and long time Senator Chris Dodd (D) were the protagonists (we need term limits) and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were the enthusiastic implementing organizations.

Mr. Mims also takes a swipe at Rush Limbaugh who understandably is hated by the left because he graphically exposes its dubious plans and deceitful practices to the light of day. I don’t listen to Rush everyday and sometimes I don’t agree with him, but thank goodness he is out there exercising his free speech rights just as Mr. Mims does.

Mr. Mims prejudice about the rights of a private citizen to exercise free speech gives fair warning to those who have genuine fears about where our great country is headed. Soon we will see the "Fairness" Doctrine re-instated or a similar bill to hush Rush and all other citizens who share information or opinions which differ from the policies of the Obama administration. 

The Aiken Standard on February 18 also published a guest column by Jack DeVine who has opinions that differ from those of Mr. Mims. DeVine reviews the Obama record after one month in office and discusses his take on The Good and The Not So Good.

Under the Good category he praises President Obama’s active leadership, his looking forward, not back and his assembling of a talented and solid team.

On the Not so Good side he criticized those who continue to dis George Bush., saying it was time to be honest and respectful to our former President. Mr. DeVine said the outsourcing of the stimulus package to the congress was a huge blunder and the closing of Guantanamo and liberal hand-wringing on interrogation tactics were moves that diminish our security in a dangerous world.

I applaud the Aiken Standard for publishing the guest column from Jack Devine and the Moses Mims letter.  I have lived in several countries where the press is closely controlled and citizens who speak or write opinions that differ from those of their government do so at their own risk.

I urge citizens of our great country, of every political persuasion, to write to their elected representatives and demand that they protect our free speech rights. The “Fairness” Doctrine re-instatement or something similar but cleverly disguised must never be approved.

UPDATE; Peach made  excellent  comments to this post and mentioned Senator DeMints article in The Augusta Chronicle today. Go here .