Rarely do I find anything good when I read through the Democrat & Chronicle’s Letters to the Editor, but today, strangely I found something good and something stupid.  First the good.

In response to the June 29 letter “Hate-mongering endangers Obama,” I have this to say: It is our constitutional right to be critical of this president, as those on the left were of former President Bush. The things that were said of President Bush were biased, hateful and for the most part untrue. But no one disputed anyone’s right to say them. As to the letter writer’s call for the waiving of First Amendment rights for calling President Obama — yes, I use his title, showing proper respect for the office if not for the man — a communist, I have this to say: Taking away the right to free speech is the first thing Lenin, Stalin and all their ilk did in order to stifle dissent. So, call for an end to the First Amendment when we speak critically of this president because you only prove our point for us.
—DAVID V. MUMMERY
IRONDEQUOIT

David is absolutely right.  I thoroughly believe that when speaking of the President one should refer to the office with respect.  While we may not respect that man who holds the office, it is imperative to honor those who held the title before and did what they could to make this nation a better place.  Once before, a President tried to silence his critics in an effort to refute his detractors.  That man was our second President John Adams with the Alien and Sedition Act, which made it a crime to speak out against the President and other members of the government.  That presidency of John Adams is remembered for trying to silence critics rather then celebrating his achievements.

And now the stupid.

A June 29 letter writer (“Bears, ducks and babies”) thinks she has hit upon the solution to curtail abortions: Elect “godly” people to government. Frankly, I shudder to think of what would happen should we switch over to a theocracy. That’s why I think we need to start thinking out of the box about how we can cut down on abortions. Let’s brainstorm, shall we? I’ll start. Let’s make men have to pass a test on how to use a condom, ticket men caught not carrying condoms, plow more money into research on male birth control, give away free vasectomies, outlaw erectile dysfunction meds, ban male enhancement products, design a male chastity belt ….I know if we all put our heads together, we can turn this thing around.
—LINDA STEPHENS
GREECE

This may be the dumbest thing I have ever read.  What does Linda Stephens have against men and what does she have against a women’s right to choose?