I have just read Rep. Lynn Westmoreland’s opinion column “President Obama needs to learn about the ‘real world.”

I am absolutely amazed that The Citizen would publish such “trash talk” about the President of the United States, even if it does come from an elected representative to the U.S. Congress.

Westmoreland is not known for his keen intellect, but this column is absolutely scary. Is this low level attack on the President all he has to say about current events? This diversionary attack can only be a misguided effort to distract his constituents from the many serious political issues confronting the people of this state.

If politicians of Westmoreland’s ilk can keep us focused on emotional non-issues, we will never be able to focus on the important issues of the day such as: the economy, jobs, Wall Street misconduct, healthcare industry abuses, poverty, education and the corruption of America.

We, the people, are in the midst of watching the clearly necessary healthcare reform effort go up in flames because it is not in the interest of the big money corporations who really run things in Washington.

I wonder just how bad things need to be before the people of this country wake up and smell the coffee. It is burning, by the way.

It boggles my mind that any responsible newspaper would run such a scurrilous column.

The newspaper and the congressman are pandering to the lowest common denominator of public opinion. Both should be ashamed.

[On another topic,] I would just like to say that I hope the young bow and arrow horse shooter is punished to the maximum extent of the law.

I know that a horse is not a human being, but this crime is so pathetically inhumane. That a school boy should be allowed to run free with a deadly weapon is mind-boggling.

I know that our society is riddled with low life people, but that doesn’t mean that the rest of us have to stand by and say nothing. This kid should get at least the same punishment that Michael Vick got. He should be fined and shunned. How low can you go?

David Browning

Peachtree City, Ga.