Incredible speech by Sen. Barack Obama. The only thing more amazing than the speech given by Sen. Obama at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia last week was the fact that he wrote it himself. Let that sink in for a moment. Think of all the petulant, dim-witted, uninformed statements that have fallen out of the mouth of President Bush over the last seven years.

Sen. Obama's speech demonstrated remarkably deep knowledge and understanding of the American story. His inspiring words encourage us to work together to solve our deepest problems. It should be obvious now why he has been beating Sen. Hillary Clinton in state after state all across this country. Despite the fact that Mrs. Clinton has huge name recognition and the party machinery behind her, more people come out to vote for Mr. Obama.

Sen. Obama is the most impressive politician to come down the line since Robert Kennedy. America would be very lucky to have Sen. Obama as president.

ROB ZUBER
Monroeville

So, Barack Obama made a pretty little speech about race. He really didn't say much, other than to state the obvious: that all races have cause for resentment -- and to throw his grandma under the bus by calling her a racist. Why didn't he just answer reporters' questions honestly instead of waiting to give a speech? Oh wait -- then he wouldn't have had time to figure out what he thought we wanted to hear! And of course, the media bought it and are tripping all over themselves to slobber at Mr. Obama's feet again -- including this paper ("The Speech," March 19 editorial).

What Mr. Obama did not address could fill an encyclopedia, namely, how his "old uncle" pastor could call upon his god to "damn America." Does Mr. Obama not understand that those sentiments are offensive and hurtful to many Americans, across the spectrum of race?

I had some "old uncles" in my family; they served this country in World War II and have since passed on. They fought, in part, so that people like Jeremiah Wright could continue to spew hatred for this country as they like; that's Mr. Wright's right under the First Amendment. It was Mr. Obama's right to espouse and endorse such sentiments by sitting idly by in that congregation for 20 years instead of trying to change it. It is my right as a citizen to refuse to vote for anyone who endorses, whether actively or passively, such hatred for our country.

For the record, I am a lifelong Democrat, but if Mr. Obama is the nominee of my party come November, I cannot and will not vote for him.

DIANA SLIVINSKA
Ingram

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