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Re: the Sept. 1 article, "Keep 'soul' out of abortion debate" by Gilbert Shapiro.

Gilbert Shapiro's article is a penetrating critique of the irrationality and unconstitutional positions that fuel the Christian fundamentalist "pro-life" movement. The treatment of the soul as a spiritual entity moved about at God's will is incoherent and scientifically unsupported. However, the very irrationality of the pro-life movement is helpful for a regime in Washington that wishes to mobilize the public in favor of wars abroad and reaction at home.

For almost eight years, the Bush administration has been waging a campaign against science. The selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate is ominous. She believes the Iraq war is part of God's plan. Like all fundamentalists she combines her "pro-life" stance with an attack on evolution.

These are dark times. One hopes that voices of reason so well exemplified by Shapiro, will prevail.

Re: the Sept. 1 article, "Keep 'soul' out of abortion debate" by Gilbert Shapiro.

I dream of the day when God isn't involved in every aspect of our lives: Politicians trying to "out religion" their opponent, church groups assisting illegal immigrants because it's "the Christian thing to do," despite the fact they're breaking our laws; the push to teach creation. If you believe some magical unseen power controls all, then good for you, but keep it out of decisions that affect us all.

As a cancer patient, it's painful being told I'll be healed by accepting Jesus. Imagine the diseases we might cure with stem cell research, lives saved without daily my-God vs your-God wars, no children dying in car-bomb attacks because someone disrespected Allah, or feeding the starving with all the money spent to build churches.

More would be accomplished by remembering separation of church and state.

The GOP is touting the need for the presidential and vice presidential candidates to have "executive experience."

George W. Bush had executive experience. Enough said.

Re: the Aug. 26 editorials "Teacher changes in TUSD are nothing new" and "Those eager to gripe should be willing to run for school boards."

The Star says people complaining about TUSD teacher transfers should recognize the fairness issue and people complaining about TUSD should run for the board.

On the fairness issue, we have another example of oversize. Two weeks into the school year, after teachers and students have bonded and established routines, the district transfers many and disrupts the crucial school year start for many, many children.

Some people who complain about TUSD are employees of the district who are well-versed on the issues and whose voices should be heard.

These people are not eligible to run for the Governing Board, so they must seek other modes of public expression and action.

This election illustrates to me a comment I heard as an 8-year-old child. I was standing in the lunch line with my classmates in a segregated all-black school in North Carolina. We were messing around, acting like kids when one kid said, "If you are white, you are all right. If you are black, get back."

I have never been able to forget that statement, maybe because I learned it to be true. The sad part is that it appears to still be true today.

They say Barack Obama is not qualified, has not enough experience and they do not know enough about him. But these same people say Sarah Palin is highly qualified, has tremendous experience and they know all about her. Barack Obama is a black man. Sarah Palin is a white woman.

If you are white, you are all right. If you are black, get back.

Re: the Sept. 3 article " 'Solar team' leads Dem race for Corporation Commission."

I am at a loss as to why anyone would vote for a slate, or ticket, of candidates for the open spots on the Arizona Corporate Commission. If they are going to decide/rule on issues in lockstep, why not just elect a single member, give that member three votes, and save the state the expense of salaries and benefits for the other two?

Maybe it's because the commission is designed to work with five independent members, rather than just three?

Re: Aug. 29 letter to the editor, "Where's outrage over horse abuse?"

This letter pricked my conscience because I, too, have failed to express my outrage about the man and his 13-year-old daughter tying the chain around the horse's neck and dragging it behind their truck until it collapsed.

When I read the Aug. 8 story, I was sickened, not only because of the animal abuse but also because of the young girl's being exposed to and participating in such cruelty.

Yet, I didn't respond, even though my intent was there. Intent doesn't cut it, though. I join with this letter writer and ask "Where's the outrage?" Have we become so used to animal abuse that we feel powerless to stop it?

Silence implies consent, so we as a society cannot afford to remain silent.

Again Barack Obama has demonstrated sound judgment by naming Sen. Joe Biden as his vice presidential choice. In contrast, John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin pales.

Our forefathers knew that the first requirement of a vice president is to be able to step into the president's job. No one contests Biden's qualifications. Palin has neither experience nor credentials for this role.

As vice president, Biden is in a position to offer his knowledge and experience as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and former chair and current member of the Judiciary Committee. Palin recently said in a TV interview that she didn't know what the vice president did.

Obama's choice is consistent with his goals for long-needed bipartisan solutions in Congress. Palin was selected to assuage evangelical conservatives not satisfied with McCain's stances. Two very different strategies. I will vote for Obama's.

Re: the article, "McCain, Palin get it: Earmarks encourage waste" by Tom Horne.

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne would do well to vet his information before he writes articles which could prove embarrassing.

According to the Washington Post, dated Sept. 2, "Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin employed a lobbying firm to secure almost $27 million in federal earmarks for a town of 6,700 residents while she was its mayor."

Palin appeared before congressional appropriations committees to seek earmarks, according to the Post.