Less name calling needed in debate

As the daughter of a German immigrant, we often got together with other German Americans and celebrated our heritage. No one insisted that shopkeepers converse with us in German, our ballots be printed in German or that any of our friends and relatives be allowed to come to this country illegally and enjoy all the privileges of citizenship.

When my mother took her oral naturalization test, the judge let her know that he hated Germans. His son was killed 20 years prior in World War II and he still held every German responsible. When my mother responded to a test question, he screamed. “I can’t hear you?” forcing her to give her entire oral exam at maximum decibel and in total humiliation.

She could have made a sweeping generalization that all judges were cruel, German-hating bigots. She did not, nor should you, Mr. Keyes, regarding the Republican Party’s choice to use “celebrate” as their fair booth motto.

If the fair board had decided to choose the theme “Oktoberfest” this year, it would have still meant “festival or celebration” and it would be right and appropriate for the Republican booths to celebrate our political freedoms and privileges. I doubt that there would be any Germans showing up in Lederhosen to mock us and protest this decision. It would be nice to see a bit more graciousness and less name-calling and sniping, not only in the Bee editorials but in the letter section as well — from both sides of the political fence.

ANITA AURIT

Sandpoint