Objectors to the president still have the right to speak

I cannot resist answering the letter from Jack Zaraya and Wendy Sabin ("Letter to Editor Knocking President Obama Needed 'Immediate Response,' " News Transcript, Oct. 21), concerning my letter of Oct. 14, because, at one fell swoop, they have nullified most of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; to wit, freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly (their reference to the town hall meetings) and quite probably, the freedom to petition the Congress.

I couldn't care less about their disagreeing with me; that is their prerogative. What does concern me, however, is their feeling that they can withdraw those constitutional rights from both the News Transcript and me.

For the record, I doubt very much that my letter reflects the views of the News Transcript; however, the newspaper's editor does believe in my freedom to express these views, and that is as it should be.

Mr. Zaraya's and Ms. Sabin's letter shows a marked similarity to the thinking in the current White House, which cannot tolerate Fox News or talk radio and will do its best to obliterate them. We are living in very dangerous times, if this is allowed to happen, either in the private or the public sector.

For the record, in the most up-to-date Rasmussen poll, 54 percent favor no health care at all, rather than the bill that is now before Congress, vs. 35 percent who favor passage.

This president in the nine months he has been in office has done much damage to the country. He seems to love playing the part of president without having to make any presidential decisions.

While he is playing golf and hosting expensive parties at the White House for his friends and contributors, young men and women are dying in Afghanistan, waiting for him to decide whether or not to send more troops; and weekly, the unemployment rates rise.

As I said above, although Barack Obama's presidency worries me, I thank God I can still make my views public. And, I shall not try to deprive Mr. Zaraya and Ms. Sabin's freedom to voice their opposition.

Jacquelin Duffy

Marlboro