‘Love factor’ is no excuse for Gov. Sanford’s infidelity
I am still shaking my head long after reading the June 29 article “Is ‘love factor’ in Sanford’s favor?”
Here are the facts: Sanford strayed. Sanford betrayed his wife and his family. Sanford is a coward.
To question whether or not South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford should get more sympathy from his constituents simply because there is a “love factor” with the other woman makes me sick to my stomach.
Have we as a nation become more forgiving of extramarital affairs if we believe the cheater was hit with Cupid’s arrow? Is stepping outside of one’s marriage for love, romance, passion, etc., more acceptable when we believe the cheater was blinded by love?
In the article, therapist Gail Saltz says she “has no doubt that if Sanford had genuine feelings, they could have led him to make reckless decisions.” Are you kidding me? Sanford is a grown, supposedly responsible and committed man; not a 15-year-old boy learning the ropes for the first time. He not only has his public life and responsibilities to uphold, but much more so, the responsibilities of being a devoted husband and family man.
What ever happened to the sanctity of marriage vows, and when did it become O.K. to bypass these solemn vows in the pursuit of extramarital affairs? Regardless of one’s position or status, shouldn’t we hold ourselves up to higher standards? Don’t our spouses and families deserve this? At the very least, shouldn’t we admit our shortcomings, address the potential issue(s) and be man (or woman) enough to think before we act?
ó Charlotte Taylor
Concord
What price human life?
A woman in the small community of Coolemee was reported to be driving a car without the owner’s permission (not stolen). When sighted by a police officer, she foolishly sped off ó thus beginning a high-speed chase.
Not waiting to pick her up at a later date (the police knew her and her address), she was pursued at speeds up to 100 mph. Wrecking the auto head-on into another vehicle, she was killed, and the three persons in the other car miraculously escaped the same fate. Was this high-speed chase really worth the life of a human being?
This high-speed chase could have resulted in the deaths of four people. High-speed chases for minor matters have got to be reconsidered by our police officers and their superiors. Police officers have many factors to consider before risking the public with high-speed pursuits. The drivers are wrong to flee, but the reason for the chase, along with the possible risk to human life and its devastation on their families, should be part of that decision. No material item is worth the price of a human life.
ó Beth Myers
Salisbury
Tea parties for the 4th
On July 4, as we celebrate our country’s freedom, once again “Tea Parties” will be held nationwide. People from coast to coast are fed up, saying “enough is enough” with our federal bailouts, reckless spending, stimulus packages and irresponsibility by both parties of Congress. The Statesville Tea Party will be held in front of the Civic Center from 12 p.m.-2 p.m. Check to see if your town is hosting one at www.americansforprosperity.org.
The Harry Reid/Nancy Pelosi Congress and our president are creating a flood of bills that will dramatically impact our country. We hear him on the TV every day with new spending ideas. Where is the money coming from? We, the common working folks, know we cannot spend more than we have or a day of reckoning is coming.
Here is what war hero and President Dwight Eisenhower, whose leadership helped bring victory over Adolf Hitler, had to say: “The supreme quality for a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is a section gang, on a football field, in the army, or in an office. If his associates find him guilty of phoniness, if they find he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need therefore is integrity and high purpose leadership.”
I would also like to quote Robert Mitchum, the movie star: “Life’s hard, but it’s a lot harder if you’re stupid.” And also humorist Will Rogers, who said, “the American people are a very generous people and will forgive almost any weakness, with the possible exception of stupidity.”
Does this seem to fit the majority of our Congress?
ó Linda Murdock Harmon
Statesville