TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

GOP ads stoke fears

I was in beautiful Memphis for Thanksgiving with family. I always enjoy being there. This year, I was disturbed by a Nov. 23 article about the legislative race between incumbent Republican Brian Kelsey (who won) and Democratic challenger Gabby Salinas.

I live in West Virginia, where local politics can also get ugly. I just find it interesting that the Republican Party, the supposedly “pro-life” party, has major contributions from alcohol, tobacco and private prison companies, and that the advertising agency behind Republican attack ads against Salinas also has the National Rifle Association as a client. “Pro-life” indeed.

The “He’s from here. He’s one of us” ads play on fear of outsiders, and usually mean a candidate has no positive platform to run on. It’s unfortunate that money from “death” industries and stoking the fear of something new still works for some politicians. That is

LETTERS

Email letters to letters@commercial appeal.com; mail Letters to the Editor, The Commercial Appeal, 495 Union, Memphis, TN 38103; or click on the “Submit Letter” link on the Opinion page atcommercialappeal.com. changing. I know Memphis to be a progressive and welcoming city, and I’ll bet the results next time will be different.

Barry Lee Wendell, Morgantown, W.V.

Vulgar Tiger fans

I can tell the Memphis fans that I will never go to another Tigers game. In the section we sat in, the people were the most vulgar fans that I have ever sat around. I think they used the F-word a hundred times.

I was embarrassed for my daughter to hear such filth.

Charles Vinson, Germantown