Tribune-Herald staff writer Michael Shapiro’s Page One story on Jan. 15 [“Billboard irks some drivers”] about a sign on Interstate 35 that calls President Obama a socialist struck a nerve with readers. Below are excerpts from letters received, some responding to retired Air Force Col. James Norton Jr.’s outrage at the sign.

Defining socialism

Concerning James Norton Jr. being upset about the billboard on Interstate 35 stating “Socialist by conduct” with a photo of President Obama: I looked up the definitions for socialist and capitalist in Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary 10th Edition, which said a socialist practices socialism, which advocates “collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and the distribution of goods.” A capitalist advocates “private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production and distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market.”

Listening to our president the past two years, I’ve learned that all big business and people who are rich are bad. The government needs to take money away from big business and rich people and use it to take care of the rest of us. That is only right and  fair.

The billboard is not disrespectful of the president. It is only stating the facts. I do not believe that President Obama would be upset by the billboard, but I do think he would be upset by a billboard that lied about him such as one that read: “Capitalist by conduct.”

I wonder what word Mr. Norton would use to describe our president’s political conduct?

Pat Retzlaff, Waco

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‘Gutless’ billboard

I am greatly disturbed by the billboard displayed on Interstate 35. My concern is not for the targeted individual or whether the allegations are even factual. It goes far beyond that.

My concern is that our system allows such an intentionally inflammatory message to be posted from the cowardly confines of secrecy.

When one exercises free speech rights, he or she should have the courage to take responsibility for the message conveyed. Failure to do so invalidates the message and defames the one making it.

I do not see this as a partisan issue but one of accountability. We are free to form and hold opinions and free to express them. But to attempt to hide when we put such messages on public display is irresponsible and disingenuous.

If one hasn’t the guts of his convictions, he should be branded for what he is: Gutless!

Jim Pitts, Waco

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Blame me instead

Thanks to Mr. Woodsmall for speaking the truth! Obama was and is a Marxist socialist! The facts cannot be disputed.

If Democrats don’t like the truth of the party’s shift to socialism, then let them repent their evil and elect a true patriot!

If whiners like James Norton and McLennan County Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Petree want somebody to “admit” they sponsored the billboard, then they can accuse me and about 100,000 other McLennan county residents.

Marcia Cooper, Waco

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Replace Obama

Socialist by conduct indeed. We need to get rid of this guy in 2012 and never put anyone in office like him again. I have yet to see another liar like this one in our political system. Most politicians must play the give-and-take game to get things done for their constituents, but this president is nothing but a socialist at heart and wants to enslave the U.S. population.

Everyone, please pay attention to what happens during the next two years and help us get rid of this emperor.

Hank Neigel, Hewitt

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Not disrespectful

My, such sensitivity, Colonel Norton. How could anyone feel that the billboard implying that Barack Obama is socialist — by observing his conduct — would be disrespectful? As I recall, socialism is internationally respected as a set of political beliefs.

Those who haven’t seen the billboard can judge for themselves. It’s near the Moody exit on I-35. 

Tom Hill, Waco

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If it quacks like a duck . . .

Regarding the “socialist by conduct” billboard with Obama’s photo on it: I’m reminded of that old saying: “If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it probably is a duck.”

Michael L. Brown, Lorena

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Bush was vilified

What planet was Mr. Norton on between the years 2000 to 2008? Surely there has never been a president so vilified as George W. Bush.

There are many avowed socialists in this administration and Congress. So why does he consider it disrespectful for President Obama to be labeled a socialist ?

Had Mr. Norton found out who paid for the ad, what was he or the local Democratic Party going to do with the information? Would they rock his house or sue him?

Has Mr. Norton and Ms. Petree considered the buyer’s First Amendment rights?

All things considered, the buyers of the ad are probably wise in remaining anonymous, considering the present adversarial climate.

Diz Dean, Waco

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Remaining anonymous

How very clever of the people who paid for the Obama sign on Interstate 35! They will not be threatened, intimated, harassed or smeared. No one can picket their house or threaten their boss and get them fired. There will be no calls in the middle of the night. Their wives and families are perfectly safe. They can tell the unvarnished truth and no amount of political correctness can touch them.

Hurrah for free speech!

Clark Griffin, Lorena

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Sign ‘made my day’

On our way to Killeen on Sunday, we saw the billboard with Obama’s picture on it and I must admit that it made my day! I absolutely loved it!

This billboard only proves that I’m not the only one who feels that Obama is a socialist, as those who screen the letters to the editor at the Tribune-Herald seem to think!

Rita W. Jones, Axtell