The syndicated columns for Aug. 23 were a sad parallel with Cal Thomas’ usual negativity about anything Barack Obama. Thank God for Leonard Pitts Jr., who offers some insightful information about possible healthy change.

What about a little historical editorial perspective? Shouldn’t a so-called professional columnist compare eight years of political lies, misinformation and fabrication about weapons of mass destruction to only eight months of solid efforts to begin to right those horrible wrongs? 

Thomas believes that Obama is burning out already. How quickly negative, frustrated, shallow people can criticize and label sincere efforts as economic takeovers.

Conservatives don’t want to be accused of playing the race card, but just recall the location of the red states and the current Republican objections to any constructive compromise.

Washington lobbyists know how to politicize a spin on anything. And there are already “death panels.” They are called insurance companies.

Stephen Drane, Auburn