By By Tray Smith
Each week, the bottom of my column lists my e-mail address to any reader who wants to contact me.
I have been surprised at the amount of people who read my column online from sources such as Google and Yahoo News and then email me from places as far away as Japan.
Today, I would like to share with you some of the comments I have received in response to my weekly column.
A man who identifies himself as A. Sons had this to say about my defense of former House Majority Leader Tom Delay of Texas:
"I think if Adolph Hitler were a Republican, he could depend on people like you, "Fox News", Limbaugh and all of hate radio to defend him to the hilt.
Your defense better be tempered and cautious. A lot more is coming to light on Delay's association with Jack Abramoff, Ralph Reed and the Indian casino business. This information will leave not a trace of doubt of Delay's crooked ways.
Even his own crony party in Congress has admonished him many times. It is un-American to defend a crook. "
Esther Heymann, who's step daughter was lost aboard United Airlines Flight 93 on 9/11 wrote me this particularly emotional email about my column "The Flight that Fought Back".
"I am the step Mom of Elizabeth Wainio, who was one of the passengers on Flight 93. Elizabeth called me from the plane to say she loved her family and wanted us to be okay. I wanted to make you aware that Discovery stores and Discovery.com is selling the DVD's for The Flight That Fought Back movie for $22.95 and the full proceeds go to the making of the Flight 93 National Memorial and National Park in Somerset County, Stoney Creek Township, Pennsylvania.
Good will always overcome evil to me. There is great courage and strength in the best in humanity. That is what the crew and passengers demonstrated."
In regards to my column supporting President Bush on Iraq, an international reader from Japan had this to say:
"The fact that losing Iraq to al-Qaeda would have large negative implications does not change the fact that you should not have gone there in the first place.
And unless this enlightenment reaches the administration, my guess is, there will be no reconciliation with the American people. The war was started on false pretenses and was illegal. If you murder someone to uncover another crime you still go to jail.
Try George Bush for "Angriffskrieg" (war of attack, incidentally established as a crime against the international community by the US after WWII) then reconcile with the rest of the western world (yes, they dislike you for your arrogance) and find a broad based international strategy against al-Qaeda.
You will soon find that Europe's approach of intelligence and police methods will yield better results than sending in the Marines. In fact, they have convicted people for 9/11 – how are you doing in that respect?
And please, don't claim those right wing fascists from "Fox News" are neutral. Your media is finally coming to its senses after giving in way to much to the right for the last couple of years.
Fortunately, not everyone who reads the Advance compares me to Hitler.
Joe and Carol Allen from Atlanta have written me multiple encouraging emails, and this is their first:
We are here in Atlanta, Ga. but we receive your local paper because my husband's family is from your area.
"We just read your column and were so impressed that we just had to write. You are right on with all your views and assessments about the situation in New Orleans.
We believe you are a young man who has his head on straight and see clearly how things should be. You are a freshman and yet your wisdom is beyond your age.
Maybe you have a bright future in journalism or politics? Our best regards and wishes for a great future!"
Several residents from Atmore also email me, most of them in support of my opinion.
However, whether you agree or disagree with what I write, I always appreciate your input. I also want to thank those of you who write letters to the editor concerning this column.
That is the bottom line.
Tray Smith is a freshman at Escambia Academy. He can be reached for contact at tsmith_90@hotmail.com. His column appears weekly.