Casablanca Open Letter of 23 January 2013

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, DC  90050

A post-written letter is a rarity for me.  In this age of the Internet most of my correspondence goes by bits and bytes on its way to its destination.  I wanted to congratulate you on your election and inauguration for a second term.  I trust that all is well and you have avoided the flu bug that is going around.  Many here have not, including myself, and I would be quite foolish not to take precautions this time of year.  It is just turning below zero on the Fahrenheit scale, but the wind has been a bit calmer.

I wrote before that I would read the books on politics about you and the Vice-President and your election will allow me to keep my promise in due time, as the Lord allows.  The trouble is I am more interested in current events than I am in the history; so if I do have to break my promise I know that you will understand those of us that are more interested in how you are now and what is going on now.

I went to the site you are sponsoring on making petitions.  It may not be used to the extent that it could be, but it is a start.  I look forward to the day that people will have more control over the online information that describes them, while at the same time being able to take part in social-media and online correspondence without fear of a breach in their privacy.

It used to be said that “Gentlemen don’t read other gentlemen’s mail.”  You know that in the former Soviet Union the government used to license typewriters and issue internal passports.  In what was East Germany people would fear Stazi informants because the government’s hands were into every aspect of their lives.

I fear that in our zeal to protect the innocent we may be laying in place an apparatus that will one day be abused.  There are not only hate groups that are racist or reactionary, but also honest citizens that may be opposed to a universal background check for the individual sale of all firearms.  I don’t believe there is a need for quick-trigger weapons with large clips for the huntsman, but I also know that many average hunters support the Second Amendment on principle.  That defeats the words in and of itself to provide for a lawful and proper militia.

I don’t know what the answer will be, but Mr. Brady’s long struggle after defending President Reagan reminds me of his foundation’s continuing efforts to stem the tide of violence that now continues from one incident to the next.  Making peace with our opposition is the place of a statesman.  I know you will do your best to make the situation better.

With all considered words.  God Bless You and each and every one of us.