Web Letters: Obamalina

As a recent transplant to the state, I found this article quite interesting. I'm glad to hear of an ongoing progressive tradition in the state, but I think Moser misrepresents Charles B. Aycock. Aycock became governor through violent suppression of the African-American vote. He later backed a literacy test that cemented African-American disenfranchisement. Aycock was a big supporter of education, but even in this area he advocated a kind of trickle-down theory of education; as C. Vann Woodward describes in The Strange Career of Jim Crow, Aycock argued that educating whites would inevitably benefit blacks. If Obama is at home in any NC political tradition, it can't possibly be a tradition that flows through Aycock.

Bruce E. Barnhart

Winston-Salem, NC

The real casualty in this election year is a four-letter word, truth. The MSM has been derelict in its duty. They have now become as bad or worse than the Blogs. I no longer read the NY Times. Why bother?

The facts are simple. Sarah Palin has more experience than Barack Obama. Sarah Palin has in twenty-two months of being a governor accomplished more in government that Obama has in ten years. Obama talks the talk and Palin walks the walk. Sure, Obama is a very good orator. But with no legislative accomplishments is he any better than Wheel of Fortune's Pat Sajak, who is a great orator? The story of Palin's Alaskan achievments has not been told and the story of the Obana failures in Chicago has not been told. I bet after Obama is elected and the Kool-Aid wears off, you will do your job.

Dennis Brown

Freehold, NJ

Fascinating article. McCain's giving it one more try by sending Sarah Palin to give a rally in Asheville this Sunday, October 26. Word on the street is that there will be lots of Obama supporters in attendance, including a group of women who plan to dress like Palin--smart girl glasses and all--while wearing/waving their Obama gear.

As we say in the South, it'll be something.

Anne Fitten Glenn

Asheville, NC