Edward J. Hum – 12/19/04

This page was last updated on December 21, 2004.

Try being inclusive; Edward J. Hum; Beaver County Times; December 19, 2004.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“This Republican didn’t vote for President Bush, but at least he has to look at his own mess for four more years - debt going up billions of dollars a day and daily attacks in Iraq, even near the green zones.”

[RWC] As I asked in my last critique of a Hum letter, does anyone believe Mr. Hum is a real Republican? This is Mr. Hum’s fourth anti-Bush letter since late July.

Shocking news – there are daily attacks during a war.

“Moral values trumped Iraqi mess. Moral values. That’s advertising Vioxx and Viagra on TV but no flu shots. That’s the high clergy worrying again about sex. Jesus said some eunuchs were made, some were born that way. Not much further comment.”

[RWC] Mr. Hum fell for the liberal myth that “moral values” was the #1 concern of voters. This comes from comparing a general category (moral values) with individual items. In this kind of comparison, the general category will win most of the time. The truth is, at 22% moral values came in third behind national security (Iraq + terrorism = 34%) and economic concerns (taxes + economy/jobs + healthcare = 33%). Ms. Schafer forgot to note that more than half of Protestant voters (59%) also voted for President Bush.

Can someone explain the relevance of the Vioxx and Viagra comment, or the rest of this paragraph for that matter?

“Jesus must have read the prophet Isaiah. ‘To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, I will give my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters. For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.’

“That sounds more inclusive than the high clergy of our day in their fancy robes and funny hats.”

[RWC] “Fancy robes and funny hats?” It appears Mr. Hum has something against religions as well as President Bush.

Perhaps Mr. Hum can give us some examples of mainstream Christian churches that don’t accept members who obey the 10 Commandments. That said, every religion has different sets of rules. It is up to individuals to modify their behavior to fit their religion; it is not the religion’s responsibility to change to fit the individual. If you don’t like the rules of a given religion, find another religion.

“Getting back to Iraq, maybe Bush is right. The Iraqis are free, Afghanistan women can go to school, and the casualty reports are on the back pages.”

[RWC] “The casualty reports are on the back pages?” Where does Mr. Hum get his news? Everyday there are casualties they are covered.

“Of course, he is calling up 30-, 40- and 50-year-olds from inactive service.”

[RWC] Of course, we are at war. When you belong to the National Guard or Reserves, you get called up when you unit is called up regardless of your age. At least Mr. Hum recognizes there’s a wide age range participating in Afghanistan and Iraq. Many Bush bashers like to claim everyone serving is fresh out of high school.

“We must support and pray for our troops.”

[RWC] In my opinion, I don’t believe for one second Mr. Hum is sincere in this sentence.

“But if they call me back, how will I feel serving under incompetents like Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld? It’s a great country.”

[RWC] I can only hope Mr. Hum is not a member of the National Guard or Reserves. If he isn’t, we don’t have to worry that Mr. Hum will be called upon to defend our country.

“God bless America.”

[RWC] Given the context, it’s my opinion Mr. Hum wants us to read “God damn America.”