Written in response to Madera Tribune Letter to Editor 9/12/2009

Faith and religion require trust and belief systems that are not based on hard facts. I say Mr. Michael Harris and Mr. Lou Pritchett are impeded by fear and can not grow. Fear blocks the ability to be rational and to truly accept religion and religious beliefs.
A Non-Believer may say that Jesus had an education, but has never said how he paid for it or how he made money.
A Non-Believer may say that neither Jesus nor God ever ran a business or met a payroll -so they should be feared.
A Non-Believer may say, neither Jesus, God, the Pope, Mother Theresa, etc., ever had military experience and did not understand military logistics, so we should fear them and they should not lead.
A Non-Believer may say that churches give a "free pass" to God, Jesus, the Pope, Mother Theresa, etc., on everything they do.
You can continue this for all of your expressed fears, as published in the Madera Tribune.

As you can easily see, this thinking is abnormal and neither Mr. Michael Harris nor Mr. Lou Pritchett should be followed. I can see why Procter and Gamble got rid of Mr. Pritchett.

Being a religious person requires a leap of faith. One must be able to look a man in the eyes, hear his words, watch his actions and judge the man not by the color of his skin or your race-based fears, but by the content of his character. I see nothing to fear in President Obama. He speaks the facts as they are presented to him and jointly, with multiple professional inputs, draws a "best conclusion." Mr. Harris and Mr. Pritchett would make horrible leaders, because they are drowning in irrational fears. Hate-mongers like Limbaugh feed on fear and make a tidy profit by feeding fear "of the unknown." Rush Limbaugh has no children and divorced his wife and business partner. Honest disagreement and discussion is great, but “Crazy Joe Wilson’s’” outburst was irrational and dishonest. The people who want America to fail are/were the banks, securities firms, mortgage businesses, automobile industries, etc., who led for greed and continue to do so, nonresponsive to American needs.

President Obama is a role model for America's future - an ordinary guy doing an extraordinary job. Fathers often abandon their family obligations, so I applaud President Obama for being a male role-model – father, husband, leader -which others may choose to follow. America needs more nuclear families that can raise rational, well-adjusted children - ready to learn.

Open your eyes and join the world of rational people who love America and want the best for our AmeriCAN and world future. Join the world of people who are thankful that President Obama took advantage of his opportunities for an advanced education, and can now give back to those who were not able to succeed in academics. Join the people who are happy to see a real father and loving family in the White House - spreading family values and enjoying the beauty of nature in our American parks and historic sites. Join the world of people that appreciate that our current national leaders are not making "French" jokes, as Bush staff did - but can get along with the various world leaders and respect cultural and personal differences. Hope is alive and doing well. Life is fragile and we need to nurture or minds and unify as AmieriCANS for a better America.

Dr. Loraine Goodwin, MD, JD