Editor:
This is a public, belated apology to Steven R. King, USN (Ret.) who wrote the letter, Something just ain't right,” on July 25.
His letter made me uncontrollably angry. I thought he was very wrong and misleading in his criticism of my president and my country. My response, however, was impulsive and disrespectful of a U.S. Navy veteran.
I am a Clemson ROTC graduate and served proudly as an Army intelligence officer for five years during the Vietnam War. Whenever I hear the National Anthem, I salute. Tears come to my eyes. I love my country. I should know better than to be disrespectful to a former service member or to anyone.
But I rudely stated that Mr. King “lies about his commander in chief” when he says that Obama was elected “because of the color of his skin.” He was wrong, but he did not lie. He thought he was right.
Mr. King later insisted that Obama was not his commander in chief. I have always considered the president the commander in chief for all U.S. citizens, military or not. He is mine. I respected Commander-in-Chief George Bush, and all our presidents. Even when I thought they were wrong, I hoped they were right.
Obama was elected president in spite of the color of his skin, not because of it. Many South Carolinians I know, including my own relatives, would not vote for Obama because he was black. They said so. All of our presidents, until Obama, had been white males. Of course, Obama got 95 percent of the black vote. Hillary Clinton would have gotten close to that if she had been the nominee. Blacks, for good reason, vote Democratic.
During the campaign, I got dozens of derogatory e-mails about Obama. Most were just wrong and some blatantly racist. I still get them from people belittling me for supporting Obama and his policies.
As a 71-year-old southerner, I know the South. I agree with Jimmy Carter. Much of the disdain for Obama is due to his race and not his policies. I see and hear that every day.
Again, my apologies to Mr. King, with whom I respectfully disagree.
James H. Monroe
Clemson
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October 30, 2009
8:57 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Does Mr. Monroe use an apology just to continue his defiant disagreement with Mr. KIng?????? If his apology is genuine I'm sure Mr. King accepts..... because of his true character. Note also that Mr. King did not even attempt to do battle with Mr. Monroe. Traits of a true American.
November 5, 2009
10:56 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Excellent response, Mr. Monroe. I have respect for you in putting this so eloquently.
November 5, 2009
10:58 a.m.Report inappropriate content
And thank you for serving your country, and being proud to be an American. There is nothing like hearing the National Anthem, getting covered in goose bumps and being proud to be an American....who embraces whichever man is President of this great country at any given time. I will support the President....even if it were Palin....(might scare me a bit and make me pray harder) but I would do it...because I am American. Go Obama!!