The American Spectator

Please catch all Reader Mail regarding Lawrence Henry’s “Elementary — and Appalling” on the Vice President’s unfortunate quail hunt as a separate document, “Announce Yourself.”

p> THE STATE OF TAS br> Re: GB’s letter (“Smitten”) in Reader Mail’s A Show of Hands , Mark Gauvreau Judge’s Right-Wingtips Revisited , and Lawrence Henry’s Elementary — And Appalling : /p>

Dittos on Diane and Elaine. Down-to-earth common sense. I really enjoy the columns, but the Reader Mail is what really gets me going. As for wingtips, I don’t own a pair. Pain toed, lace up army shoes are as far as I go, and I will probably never wear them out. As for me, I am more comfortable with a flannel shirt, camo jeans, a face that ain’t seen a razor for many years and the same hat everyday. Course I bathe everyday, my wife launders my clothes very often and I have to admit that I am disgusted with the filth found in most public restrooms nowadays. I came home from Nam, and went to cleaning restrooms for the State of New Hampshire. Among other entry level opportunities. When my shift was over, the toilets were spotless. That was almost 40 years ago. Times have changed. I avoid state run restrooms if at all possible. I think Americans should have a lot more pride in their Country. Last time I was at Niagara Falls, the American side was disgusting. Trash thrown all over the place. Canadian side was a showcase.

As for culture, God didn’t make the cookie cutter. Man did. God made us all different. Had God made us all the same, there wouldn’t be trash haulers, sewer workers or other occupations that are rather hard to perform in a suit and wingtips. At the same time, I value preachers, pilots and presidents.

As for Vice President Cheney, I am very sorry that his hunting time was marred by an accident. A friend of mine cut himself badly with a chain saw years ago. Kick back right to his neck. Almost got his carotid artery. Didn’t make the news. My father cut his leg rather badly many years ago with an axe. I can still see it. That is way over 50 years ago. That didn’t make the news either. Not too many years ago, I drove three nail gun nails into my left thumb. With an old nail gun that requires dragging around an air hose with it. That didn’t make the news. But the minute that Vice President Cheney has an accident involving a firearm, the anti gunners come out of their corners with so much excitement that they got a new hairdo for the occasion. I have yet to hear one reporter offer VP Cheney any sympathy for what is a very hard time for him. God warns us about tongue waggers. Much of what passes for news today is nothing but pure gossip and tongue wagging.

p>Fifty years ago, you would not have heard anything about it. We had some privacy. Some things were none of anyone else’s business. Due to the fact that God gave us a free will, we are not all alike. There are tyrants in this world. I was in battle a short time. If I had to ever go again, I would rather follow Dick Cheney than any person ABC, the antigunners or the left has to offer. God, guts and guns made this country free. That combination will keep it free. Without that combination, the free press is in the toilet.