Ruth Knytych

To the editor,

This past Saturday my husband and myself went out door to door to promote our president. I am very devoted to our President and though I have NEVER done anything like this before, I thought this time I should. I have a nephew who is about to go back to Iraq for the second time and after all the good things he tells me we are achieving (you don't hear that on the evening news do you?) that is imperative we finish the job. The Iraqis he has come across are extremely appreciative and if my soldier nephew supports the president, I can too.

Anyway...while going door to door I was impressed at the range of reasons why people were planning to vote or not to votefor our president. I was also quite impressed at the civility of the people who were choosing to vote for Senator Kerry instead of our President. Though in this day and age it is true we as a country are quite divided in the way we think would be the best strategy to run the country, we do not have to be at odds with each other. It really is okay to disagree and still respect each other. The majority of the people we ran across this past weekend proved that.

There was however, one prominent well known local attorney and community leader who chose to take the lower road. As my husband approached him in his front yard he began to yell obscenities about the president. Loud and clear in the front yard for all to hear. I then noticed my husband quickly retreating. I was so shocked at this citizen's behavior. I do not personally know this individual but he has been known to be quite involved in the community. I had always associated his name with positive things. I lost all of that respect in a moment. I found it unbelievable that a well known prominent member of our community would be so belligerent and offensive in public. He was not attacked. He was merely approached with a differing idea that my husband didn't even get the opportunity to get out of his mouth. That is all. A simple "No thank you" would have sufficed.

At the end of the day tomorrow, the thing I most want to convey is that it is okay to disagree. That is what Americans do. I too have strong feelings about this election but I refuse todisrespect my co-workers and friends because they might disagree with my beliefs. If Senator Kerry should win (that thought is tough for me to even think because I am so proud of the President and his devotion to our safety in this country.) I will remain respectful of the office of President of the United States. I don't have to like it. I don't have to like Mr. Kerry. I do have to respect the office and I will.

We are Americans and proud! We should not let ourselves sink to a circus act. Respect President Bush now, he holds the office and deserves it. Respect who ever holds the office tomorrow. It's a big job for a President to lead a divided and sometimes extremely ungrateful nation. We do not have to agree! But please remain civil and respectful. Be an example to our children.

As for the attorney, you know who you are and how you behaved. I have decided to forgive you.

Ruth Knytych

Laconia