To the Editor:
    With reference to the two letters published in the Morgan County Citizen last week pertaining to the views of Dave Belton I feel compelled to respond. Both letters disturbed me very much. In my opinion the letters attacked Mr. Belton personally and not his views. The tactics displayed in these letters were used by Hitler's Nazi brown shirts in 1933. It seems as though in this country today, that anyone who has a different opinion of the current governing administration should be ostracized, discredited and shouted down.
    Instead of the personal attacks on Mr. Belton's distinguished military career, perhaps the two individuals who are pontificating about Mr. Belton's intelligence, etc. should take a long look at their values as Americans. I served in the military and am very proud of it. I wonder if either of these individuals have served their country? It is people such as these that are tearing this country apart. As an American I value the right of dissent.
    I value the words of our Constitution and the rights as free men that this document provides us.
I no longer am associated with either major political party of this Nation. Nor am I a so called "21st century progressive."
    I do my own research and then vote the way my conscience, heart, and research tell me. I would hope that most voters would do this rather than voting the way campaign workers who knock on doors handing out T-shirts to vote for a certain individual tell you.
    Perhaps in the coming 2010 election, there can be some spirited debate about the issues and the candidates rather than personal attacks on private citizens.
Lance Pailer
Buckhead
Via e-mail