Republicans have grown more conservative

Many years ago, when I was still a Republican, a fellow party member confided in me his fear that the most conservative Republican members were gearing up to take over the party. I thought that observation rather odd, because I certainly didn't sense what he was feeling.

Turns out he was right. The abominable behavior shown in recent days - the spitting, name-calling and unbridled hatred - is only the latest manifestation of the irrational vitriol that underlies this movement. It is fed by and supported by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and even Fox News.

Should someone start shooting at politicians or, God forbid, the president, those who feed the current irrational behavior cannot escape responsibility. If nothing else, the current political climate has caused many conservatives to show their true colors. They are not pretty.

Lawrence L. Rettig

South Amana