Reflection of a moral society
Kudos to The Register-Guard for publishing “Disgruntled? Let me count the ways” by John Tyler (Commentary, May 3).
No doubt the editors will take flak from the liberal left, but Tyler’s article reflects the values of a moral society, the kind of values I was reared on in the 1950s and 1960s, before the sexual revolution.
They are the values of a nation founded on Biblical morality, and that is what made America great. We needn’t think we will remain great because we are America. It’s what we do with God’s word that will determine if we are blessed or cursed (see Deuteronomy 28).
Those of us who are believers should not be smug about our position in Christ. After all, we are the ones who are told to “humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways” if we want God to heal our land. In other words, let it begin with me.
Dottie Brandt
Veneta
Good thing he’s not in charge
John Tyler is a very scary man. I’m glad he is not in charge of anything.
Jim Schmidt
Eugene
Right wing won’t give an inch
John Tyler’s tirade, “Disgruntled? Let me count the ways,” makes very clear the battle lines that have been drawn between the right and the left — at least in this country. Ultra right-wing-conservatives such as Tyler are not willing to give an inch, much less strive toward understanding and tolerance of others.
I thank Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and her group for the checklist that helps us pinpoint the dangerous right-wing extremists in our midst. I’m keeping a copy of the commentary, not because I admire Tyler but to remind me of what we’re up against.
The frightening thing about Tyler’s piece is that he sees nothing wrong with his extremist leanings, in fact seems blind to the impact they inevitably have on the world in general.
Nancy Davison
Dexter
A great American
Congratulations to John Tyler! He is a great American. I read his May 3 Commentary article twice it was so good. Keep ’em coming.
Rick Haberly
Cottage Grove
Reaction to profile overdrawn
Methinks that John Tyler, in his May 3 column, doth protest too much.
It may well be that the federal report, ordered by President Bush and written by one of his appointees, will not be very useful because its profile of those likely to be attracted to extreme right-wing groups is so broad that it fits many people not in its target population. However, I wonder which of the traits that Tyler lists is not a likely characteristic of this group.
I would be surprised if there is not a similar profile of people likely to be drawn to extreme left-wing groups, also consisting of characteristics that would describe many liberals not at all attracted to these groups. I assume that the Department of Homeland Security wants to identify those likely to commit acts of violence, whoever they are, and I wonder why anyone not so inclined would take this report so personally.
By the way, I am religious, a veteran and I regret the decline of U.S. stature in the world — the last three traits listed in the article.
Gil Osgood
Eugene
Supporters, raise hands
Regarding the Commentary article dated May 3 titled “Disgruntled? Let me count the ways” by John Tyler: I would like to be counted as one who entirely supports his views as outlined in this article.
Call me a “Christian freak” or a “right-wing radical” if you must; I’ll stand up for both. And I call for all like-minded citizens to raise their hands and be counted!
Harriet Ebel
Eugene
He forgot something
I have just read John Tyler’s commentary.
I do wish he would have included which church he attends. I would be very upset to find myself in the same house of God with a self-professed bitter, homophobic, racist, sexist person.
He forgot to mention mean-spirited.
Elizabeth Ward
Oakridge
It’s not much of a memo
John Tyler’s May 3 Commentary article attracted my attention for two reasons. First, but least important, I happen to disagree 180 degrees with almost all of his political and social views, and I found his expression of them to be strident, overwrought and a bit scary.
However, upon further reflection I had to consider Tyler’s objection to the so-called profiling contained in the Department of Homeland Security memo to which he refers. Indeed, I probably have some characteristics that would match a profile for a left-wing extremist, and it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that I might be on file somewhere.
However, both I and (I hope) Tyler are committed to the principle of changing our country through the ballot box, and neither of us is plotting armed insurrection. But it’s no fun to think your own government doesn’t trust you. I wouldn’t like it, either.
I was able to find a copy of the DHS memo via an Internet search. It was easy to find, since it is referred to by many right-wing spokespersons (Glenn Beck, Michelle Malkin, etc.) who are making hay with it.
An unbiased reading (it’s only nine pages) would lessen much of the outrage. The memo is lacking in specifics and is poorly written, but is nowhere near as threatening as Tyler seems to fear (or has been told to fear.)
Norm Purdy
Springfield
The new Rush Limbaugh?
After reading John Tyler’s “disgruntled” rant on May 3 against the Department of Homeland Security, I, as a middle-of-the-road kind of guy who liked the Eisenhower-era moderate policies, think Tyler should replace Rush Limbaugh as the spokesperson for the current neoconservative, extreme right Republican party.
Gale Connell
Florence
Analysis is way off track
Let me add my vote of agreement to Sunday’s commentary by John Tyler titled “Disgruntled? Let me count the ways.”
The Department of Homeland Security “Intelligence and Analysis Paper” released in April for purposes of determining “right-wing extremists” is so far off the track of logical thought, it is not hard to imagine why the country seems to be heading wildly in the current new direction away from the roots of our Founding Fathers.
I, too, meet many of the profiles listed, and if I am a threat to this nation please feel free to come looking for me. I am not hard to locate — I can be found teaching a Sunday school class, taking my kids to Boy Scouts and working daily to run my business to meet my payroll and keep my staff employed — apparently so I can redistribute it to others — or other suspicious activities.
For heaven’s sake, this is outrageous and an affront to our military service people and people everywhere of faith and values.
Shirley Lyons
Veneta
Reaction is off the deep end
Good for self-described right-wing radical John Tyler for expressing his views about a recent intelligence report of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, having to do with the possible resurgence of violent right-wing extremism and subsequent terrorist activities in our country.
Contrary to Tyler’s view that the report was leaked, it has been available in full on the Internet and notes that any efforts to influence public opinion on extremism must be “overt and transparent” and must clearly identify the government as sponsor.
The report is more concerned with conditions that may contribute to recruitment of individuals to extreme groups than with profiling gun owners, everyone opposed to abortion or same-sex marriage, those who believe in end-time prophecies and others.
The referral to veterans mentions only that some returning service people face significant difficulties reintegrating into their communities, making them more vulnerable to recruitment by extreme groups.
The report suggests that extremists may play on fears about emergent issues, such as the current economic downturn and rumors of severe restrictions on firearm ownership.
Tyler’s perception of the firearms issue confuses me. The report sees the occurring “increased weapons and ammunition stockpiling” as a legitimate concern, while Tyler describes it as preempting government plans to highly tax or confiscate firearms — neither of which has been proposed.
Tyler has gone off the deep end.
Jeanne Armstrong
Eugene
DHS warnings are right on
Sorry, John Tyler, the Department of Homeland Security analysis of right-wing extremism was right on the money.
I happen to be a combat veteran who is scared to death of gun collecting fundamentalists. Who are they going to shoot with all those guns? I suspect that it might be me.
The administration is correct in warning the people of the dangers extremism presents.
John Stephens
Cottage Grove
One flaw was omitted
Disturbed? Let me count the ways.
John Tyler summed up his profile in the May 3 Commentary section by claiming, “Clearly, I am a right-wing radical, a bitter American clinging to my guns and Bible, homophobic, racist and sexist.”
Sounds about right. However, he omitted the glaringly obvious character flaw of being a Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Fox News drone rather than a calm, rational, independent thinker. It would be amusing were he not armed to the teeth and potentially dangerous to anyone who opposes his extremist views.
My condolences to those in his neighborhood who have just learned of and don’t share or are terrified of his views.
Not a good time to put the old homestead on the market, is it?
Ellen Columbo
Junction City