Ethnically Speaking by Larry Meeks

Dear Larry: I am dismayed at the number of people who hear something repeated and just go for it.

Your reader Linda said President Barack Obama is in favor of building a mosque near ground zero. That is not at all what he said. He said he believes in the freedom we all have to express our religious beliefs, which includes the right to build a place of worship. He also confirmed that he was not expressing his personal thought about the building of the mosque at that location.

I really wish people would listen to him. I do believe he is the first truly honest man we have had as president for many years, and I uphold him. Thanks. — Betty

Dear Betty: I agree with you that we need to listen, but when it comes to politicians, it is hard to know exactly what they are really saying. It is very common for them to speak in a way that different people will hear different messages from the same words.

The president did not actually say whether he believes building the mosque is a good idea or not. He was using doublespeak trying to avoid taking a position. One who uses this type of communication is not a good example of an honest politician.

The president actually said: "Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances." Honest people can reach a conclusion that the president is in favor of building the mosque at ground zero. If you favor the president but disagree with building the mosque, it is also understandable how you could reach the opposite conclusion.

A good example of doublespeak comes from a liberal politician who currently is running for office. He once said, "My aged grandmother can no longer walk the streets and feel safe." He later bragged, "This was a perfect statement because all the 'gun nuts' heard me take the position I am tough on crime, but I didn't say any such thing. My liberal friends can't get mad at me, because I didn't say anything."

I am sorry I do not share your opinion that this president is honest.

Dear Larry: On a Sunday morning a few years ago, I was in a convenience store paying for gas. An obviously inebriated black man and a teenage black girl were having an argument. The F-word and the N-word were flying through the air like mosquitoes at a campground! The clerk, the other four customers and I were all white.

I finally had enough of the filthy language and spoke up. I said: "You people make me sick spouting all this filth in a public place, especially on a Sunday morning. If you can't talk decently, then you need to take it somewhere else. Nobody here wants to listen to it."

Well, the man thought I was being a racist because I said "you people." What was I supposed to say, "you animals"? I meant him and the young girl. I didn't give a darn about their color, but he took it that way and threw the race card at me.

The young girl left, but the man continued to blast me, so I told the clerk to call the police. That did it. The man left quickly. The young female clerk thanked me for intervening, and I told her that she needs to call the police any time something like that happens in the store.

My kids and my husband were shocked that I had stood up to the man like that, but I would do it again if necessary, and it makes no difference to me what color a person is or where he comes from. No one has the right to pollute the air with foul language or quarrel like that in public.

When the man labeled me a racist, I felt that he was using his race to take advantage of me.

Larry, I have friends of all races, creeds, cultures, nationalities and genders, and we celebrate our differences rather than denigrate them. When are people going to grow up? No one should be afraid to stand up to a bully who takes advantage like this, but I agree that most people are scared to speak up. — Roni

Dear Roni: Thanks for taking a stand. The only way some of these things will change is if America stands up in defiance and says "enough."

To find out more about Larry G. Meeks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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