Open Forum

Have you ever seen a picture that chills you to your very core? I saw a picture like that in the Brainerd Dispatch where Barack and Hugo are shaking hands and giving each other this euphoric smile! I even thought Michelle had competition here. But if you have two people that hate capitalism like these men, you can see why it would be love at first sight.

It's amazing the difference between two presidents, Bush hated Hugo for his handling or mishandling, over his oppressive riding of his country and this president idolizes him and his socialism. In fact, Barack and Hugo probably checked notes with each other and Barack asked how he could socialize oil like he did in his country.

Before Hugo spoke at the U.S. a few years ago, he said Satan had been there as President Bush. In Sunday's picture I saw two devils of America. We have to pray for this country as never before! Amen!

Stephen L. Heinecke

Baxter

Maybe Saberi is guilty

Roxana Saberi, the reporter convicted of spying by Iranian courts, was initially busted for buying a bottle of wine, against Iranian laws.

In the U.S. we're horrified by opium use, yet in some countries this is acceptable. Some Middle Easterners view alcohol use the way we do opium or heroin. (Alcohol distillation was invented by Arabs.) Most alcohol and drug laws are equally draconian and ineffective. But Iran has as much right to restrict alcohol as we do heroin. Perhaps they view Ms. Saberi as some here do heroin users: a low life.

The U.S. not only has an obsession with peeping and spying on others, but gathers great excitement and titillation from our spying success stories. So, it isn't unreasonable to think someone like Saberi may have been a spy.

Her trial wasn't open, but when the U.S. tries foreign agents, the hearings are often closed. National security concerns are cited. Her trial did seem awfully quick, though.

It's proper for the U.S. to examine her treatment by Iran's legal system, and to do every thing reasonable to assist her or free her. But we must remember, she may actually be guilty, at least under Iranian laws, of which she was well aware.

This whole incident could also be somewhat staged, to allow the Iranian government the opportunity by freeing Ms. Saberi of showing an act of good will toward the U.S., without it's leaders, such as President Ahmadinijad, being labeled as cowards or traitors by Iranians. Ahmadinijad faces the same sort of conservative critics for not being hard line enough that President Obama faces here.

There are those who profit or benefit, both in Iran and the U.S., by our countries not getting along.

Hopefully Iran won't copy U.S. democracy, and end up waterboarding Ms. Saberi 180 times.

A. Martin

Merrifield

Obama article was nauseous

This letter is in regard to the flattering, nauseous article in your April 26 Sunday newspaper. It was entitled The First 100 Days Obama quickly, confidently adapts. One quote was, He became presidential almost immediately. Would that be lifting the ban against international abortion, so we can assist in killing more babies? Would it be putting us into trillions of dollars of debt? Would it be being buddy-buddy with Chavez and the Castro brothers? Would it be presidential to go on an apology for our country tour? Would it be the promotion of the Bush-bashing pastime? Presidential?

Doris E. Carlson

Wadena

Teachers don't work hard

Just read in the Sunday paper, April 26, 2009, Senate approves higher income taxes. Well, well, Democrats, what are you up to? I already know that Gov. Tim Pawlenty will veto the law but I also know you Democrats will override his veto just like the last time. So when are you Democrat voters going to stand up for your rights as American citizens? Remember you voted these people into power you believed their lies. If you Democrats don't want to be American citizens please leave the country and take your illegal friends with you and go to Mexico and stay there and start your own Socialist country. To the Vox Pop writer, quit complaining about educators. First, why don't you shut up? Teachers don't work that hard. Trust me I educated many nieces and nephews in reading, writing, math and so did their parents. These are the same things teachers do but the difference between us and teachers - teachers just have to open a book to get the answers they need and yes, I would love to teach but can't get a job. Teaching won't hire me. No college degree in greed and don't you think that it would be embarrassing to the teachers if I did a better job than they do any time, any place?

Robert J. Hutchins

Crosslake