Vote your conscience

To the editor:

There was a trio of letters Tuesday reflecting hot political issues of this endless presidential campaign. One touched on the notion that presidents should dwell on miscalculations made in a complex military strategies and confess our mistakes to the world. Let's not discuss, for the moment, whether we should be fighting terrorists that threaten our futures. Most people have figured that out by now. History shows that most major battles suffer setbacks that military strategists adjust for and redirect their efforts. We don't think less of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln or FDR because they didn't appear on the front pages of the National Enquirer and reveal our weaknesses. That's what historians are for.

Another accused Bush supporters of being misinformed about the facts on his positions. In reality, an overwhelming percentage of all voters struggle to keep track of the details on most issues. Even the writer of the letter seems to have bent things a bit to fit their argument. Supporters of both candidates know enough about each man's strengths to make up their own minds. First impressions are rarely wrong.

The third decries the outsourcing of jobs. Of course it's tough when jobs are lost. But we also benefit greatly when thousands of manufacturing and high tech jobs are brought into our country. The writer accurately presents that the candidates have different views on this global issue. It's all right for us to rely on our common sense to disagree with his conclusions. Vote your conscience.

RANDY DUNN, Oak Ridge