Republicans are so funny — a few months ago, a woman wrote voicing her support for Newt Gingrich because of his defense of the “sanctity of marriage.” What a hoot. Gingrich, three times married, admitted adulterer — defender of the sanctity of marriage?

I didn’t think anything could top that until Thomas Shields (July 2) claimed FOX was “the only TV network that is fair and balanced.” I will acknowledge that other networks have a bias that FOX doesn’t. That is only because FOX is a straight-out mouthpiece for Republicans.

Fair and balanced? Shields could have written one-liners for Henny Youngman.

Shields goes on and even tops himself by claiming that Republicans want to ensure that candidates are not defeated by “fraudulent or unqualified voters.” I guess only 20-something college students fit that bill. The fact that they are more likely to vote Democratic is not relevant.

My sides are splitting. If the GOP were serious, how about checking all the absentee ballots that go to Florida? Oh, no, they are most likely Republicans; can’t check them.

I have to wipe the tears from my eyes on that one.

Shields should be honest and admit that the GOP can’t win by increasing the vote count, so they are trying to win by intimidating likely Democratic voters.

I wonder which Shields would find to be worse — unqualified voters voting, or qualified voters being inaccurately disqualified?

Charles MacDonald, Auburn