Letters to the Editor

Anyone watching the Democratic National Convention this week could not help but be impressed by its enthusiasm and meaning.

Personalities gave way to unity, debate to vision, and discouragement to hope.

The convention has restored confidence and faith not simply in that party, but also in the basic principles and ideals of our country and democracy. For those who were there, and for us at home, there were advances and high points it may have been difficult to previously envision or imagine.

Even if Barack Obama and Joe Biden do not win the election in November, history has already witnessed and recorded an amazing occasion.

If they do win, it could represent a whole new level of future possibilities for our nation and the world.

The Rev. David W. Long

West Chester

» READ MORE: davidwarrenlong@comcast.net

The Democratic ticket is a 10.

Obama's the one. Biden's the zero.

Joseph A. Ferry

Erdenheim

At the Democrat National Convention this week, Sen. John Kerry reminded us that the U.S. flag "does not belong to any political party. It is an enduring symbol of our nation, and it belongs to all the American people."

Since the 1960s, I have lived in a country where people have spit on, stomped on, burned and desecrated the flag in every possible way, and I would get angry when I thought about what they were doing to "my flag."

At times, I need someone to remind me that it is "our flag," and - moist, dirty or ash-covered - it is still flying.

Thank you, Sen. Kerry. It is our flag. "Long may it wave!"

Robert Greer

Westville

I am a 77-year-old woman who is so proud after listening to Barack Obama accept the nomination to run for president! I truly never imagined experiencing this during my lifetime. Like Michelle Obama, I am truly proud of my country for the first time - in regard to the changes we are making. I am a white woman, though. Does that matter?

Betty Prussel

Philadelphia

» READ MORE: bettnman@comcast.net

The Tony Auth cartoon (Aug 29) says it all. Barack Obama is standing on the shoulders of giants, without whom his nomination might not have been possible. Auth captured so much in one image, lending truth to the old maxim that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Anita Shmukler

Elkins Park

Yes, Barack Obama is ready to lead America. After eight years of a lackluster presidency, the United States is ready for a leader that throughout this presidential campaign has shown that he, unlike George W. Bush, can unite this country ("Obama sought to show he's the whole package," Aug. 29).

During the last eight years of the Bush administration, we have seen a country divided like never before.

Obama is right for the times because, unlike Bush, who sees the world with one lens, Obama views the world with the many lenses needed to lead this nation.

John J. Pino

Newtown Square

» READ MORE: pinoj18@hotmail.com

Americans have come to associate Labor Day with the end of summer, the last hurrah before the drudgery of work and school returns. As summer holidays go, it lacks the emotional pull of Memorial Day and the fireworks of the Fourth of July.

But we need to remember that our city and nation were built with the sweat, ingenuity, and indomitable spirit of the labor movement. Although the labor movement has been under siege recently, reports of its demise are false.

Labor is alive and well, especially in Philadelphia.  You can celebrate it Monday by coming out for the annual Labor Day parade starting at 9 a.m. at Reed Street and Columbus Boulevard and ending at noon at Penn's Landing.

John Dougherty

Business Manager

IBEW Local 98

Philadelphia