Vox Populi Speaks. I Shudder.

Two letters to the editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette today I think illustrate the political divide in America nowadays quite nicely. I'll let you, dear reader, decide which argument you think has more weight to it. (Hey, check me out. I report, you decide. Just like Fox News. Only, less with the cartoon-y graphics and rampant fearmongering, and more with the sensible argument.)

First up, Letter #1:

Lieberman reached out and GOP didn't

If the recent Democratic primary in Connecticut was simply about a long-standing senator becoming so caught up in national politics that he lost touch with his constituents, that would be a tragedy.

If it was simply that a man was too proud to admit defeat and now risks splitting his party's vote and handing his seat over to his political opponents, that would truly be regrettable. But the real tragedy lies even deeper than all of that.

True, Sen. Lieberman embraced an unfavorable position. And, yes, in the eyes of many, his actions and attitudes became more like those of the current administration than of the loyal opposition.

However, the real tragedy in all of this is the betrayal of the American people and our system of government by this administration. After all, it came into office six years ago with talk of uniting the political landscape. But it was Sen. Lieberman who reached out in support of the Iraq war. The Republican Party has failed to reach back.

Many Democrats expressed support of national security issues and the Iraq war and received nothing in return. How can true bipartisan government become a reality if only one side reaches across the aisle?

Theirs is not a recipe for unity, but one for assimilation. Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Melhman talks of adapting to win. But what of adapting to lead? The current administration has betrayed the trust of the American people and that is the greatest tragedy of the Connecticut primary.

Next up, Letter #2:

Democrats at fault

I strongly disagree with Jim Burn's Aug. 17 letter. Mr. Burn criticized Bush administration officials for commenting on Ned Lamont's win over Joe Lieberman for the U.S. Senate nomination in the Connecticut Democrat Primary.

Yet Democrats viciously ridicule Republicans and President Bush every day, often implying that the president is stupid. But when Republicans mildly criticize Democrats, it's a federal offense. Well, I got news for Mr. Burn, freedom of speech is for everyone, not just for Democrats!

Mr. Burn also wrongly accused Republicans of politicizing the war when it is really the Democrats who are playing politics and undermining the president's courageous efforts to fight the War on Terror.

Politically motivated nagging by blowhards like Ted Kennedy and John Murtha to cut and run from Iraq is encouraging the insurgents in Iraq to hang on and wait for U.S. public opinion to change.

If it were not for the Democrats' constant politicization of the war, terrorist activity in Iraq would have subsided by now and many of our troops would be home. Shamefully, the Democrats are putting the lives of our troops at risk.

As local chairman of the party that has controlled this county for over 50 years with policies that have resulted in bankrupting the city and causing several hundred thousand people to leave this area in search of jobs due to that party's anti-business policies, Mr. Burn has little reason to criticize President Bush.

You go, you Brave Little Toaster. You exercise those first amendment rights, you! And what's the best way to make your point about them? Clearly, by saying that if you think the President isn't functioning on all cylinders, you shouldn't be allowed to say it in public. For the record, very few of us are implying that President Bush is stupid. We are almost all unilaterally saying it flat out.

Also, the word "politicization" is the act of engaging in or discussing politics. According to this member of the political Greek chorus, by even talking about politics, I have clearly awarded a decisive victory to the terrorists. At least this gentleman and I are on the same page that terrorism has increased in Iraq since the United States got involved there. But still, silly me for wanting my elected officials to talk about or engage in politics, since that's what I pay them to do.

In the interest of full disclosure (another thing, by the way, you won't see on Fox News), I will admit that the author of Letter #1 is a buddy of mine who not only has a keen mind, but can also dig you a retaining wall that even Michael Brown at his FEMAyist would have taken note of. Check out the link to What Would You Say for more.