Yesterday, Friday the 2d, I forwarded “Voting rights are too important to be left to the states”, an op-ed by Adam Cohen. The gist of what Mr. Cohen had to say was that, as it has sadly been US history to see several instances where various states have tried to deny — primarily — minorities their sacred right to vote, and as Article 1, Section 4 of the United States Constitution states, “The times, places, and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof, but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators.” (in re Senators, superceded by the 17th Amendment), Congress ought to use its authority to proscribe the egregious efforts by the offending states.

To that, a Ms. Barbara Cornett replied, and her extraordinarily bigoted reply was to me as terrifying as terrifying can get. It was terrifying because it reflects an attitude that — however most of us would prefer to pretend it is limited to a small fringe — is pervasive throughout America; it is not particularly uncommon.

Before I copy with painful exactitude Ms. Cornett’s response, there are a couple notes I’d like to post. The first concerns supposed Christians and the lessons that are attributed to Jesus of Nazareth. The second concerns the honorable role that minorities have borne, providing Ms. Cornett and all those of her ilk with the freedom to articulate their hate.

To disclosure, I am an atheist. That said, it by no means suggests I do not admire greatly the words Jesus is said to have spoken. One that goes directly to the attitudes manifested in the cited response is in Luke 10:30-37; the parable of the Good Samaritan. Contrary to what many simplistically believe, it had zero to do with helping a stranger. The stage was set with the at the time popularly held proposition that no good thing could indeed come out of Samaria, most especially a Samaritan. Yet, the question put to the lawyer and to those gathered near, “Which now, of these three [passers-by to the one victimized by thieves], was neighbor [brother] unto him?” The parable concisely speaks against bigotry and every form of prejudice.

I defy anyone to assert with anything other than blasphemous hypocrisy that he or she is the least bit Christian while there is in their heart the strong, poisonous tinge of bigotry and prejudice.

How many Caucasians know that, throughout our history, minorities — Native Americans, African-Americans, Hispanics — have fought in every conflict, from the Revolutionary War through Iraq and Afghanistan, and have bled and died in the quest to keep us safe and free? From the 1st Rhode Island Regiment through the Buffalo Soldiers, through the 100% volunteer Tuskegee Airmen to today, black Americans have given their blood and lives for this country. I visited the Department of Defense website, in search of the list of Medal of Honor recipients. Eighty-eight African-Americans have been awarded the Medal of Honor; 45 Hispanics, 24 Native Americans, and 32 Asians. Please . . . no one try to tell me these were not AMERICANS!

Sadly, however too many do. I didn’t choose my parents. If I could have, perhaps I could have done better. I certainly could have done much worse. Regardless, it doesn’t matter: I didn’t get to choose. Nor has any person had that option. As the Apostle Paul asked, “What do you have that wasn’t given to you?” To which I would further ask, how dare anyone posit the first note of bigotry? How dare anyone feel the least superior to any other human, based on gender, ethnicity, nationality, racial features, sexual orientation, or anything else that is not absolutely to that person’s character?    

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Sadly, however too many do. And many, many who do attempt to rationalize, to justify, to add a mote of respect to their tawdry garment by calling themselves “conservative.” My last question: Can anyone provide just one laudable characteristic that adheres to “conservative” that doesn’t adhere equally to those who consider themselves a liberal? Just one.

— Ed Tubbs

     Palm Springs, CA

Barbara Cornett’s response:  

“What an outrage”

     Do you mean to tell me that there are people who ignore THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION! 

    Wow.So lets say that we are successful in making it possible and easy for everyone including half of Mexico to get the chance to vote in the United States of America.

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