Letter to the editor

"Oh my, the negative campaigning going on in the political arena is just apalling!" Oh really? Does anyone believe that the best way to remain in power or to unseat those in power is to tip-toe around your opponents shortcomings or avoid contentious issues and turn the other cheek when attacked? Well that might gain you the title of Mr. nice guy, but you are not likely to walk away the prize. It's one thing to out and out lie about the other guy's reputation and worthiness, but if your accusations are provable beyond reasonable doubt and your own credentials measure up to your claims, then I believe you have every right to sock it to him on the campaign trail. Politics is never a gentleman's game, but you better be sure your gun is loaded when you shoot from the hip. We all want good people running things, regardless of which party they represent. It's a question of spending the time and research in selecting candidates with as much on the ball as the coaches we select to head up our kid's little league teams. Good coaches don't always win ball games and good candidates don't always win elections, but when they're bad. we all lose.

The bottom line, at least in my view, is that politicians are always fair game when they step up to the plate, so they had better be prepared to have the character to withstand the critics before going for the fences. We shouldn't have to quail from confronting the opposition when we're sure we're right.....beyond a readonable doubt.

George Morin
Auburn Ga.