Posted on Tue, Aug. 12, 2008

U.S. born to be Christian?

The poor taste and historical inaccuracy of Juanell Garrett’s column (8/9, Opinion, “Don’t forget our nation was born to be Christian”) is exceeded by The Star’s poor editorial judgment in publishing it. There is enough space in Saturday’s Faith section.

If Garrett wants to quote the founding fathers, she should study the contextual words of Jefferson, Adams, Madison and Paine and the further statements of Washington on the issue of separation of church and state and the role of religion (and which religion) in government. Her parallelism between Supreme Court decisions and societal direction is ludicrous.

I can make a better case for the loss of competitive edge of our youth in the educational sphere to diversion of their interests from intellectual inquiry to religious devotion. Furthermore, easily available statistics point to the fact that the 15 percent of us who profess to be nonbelievers, by whatever name, are more likely to win Nobel Prizes, hold academic leadership positions and have virtually zero likelihood of being in prison.

I will match my moral compass with that of any believer, particularly those who, from within the clerical hierarchy, engage in unbelievable moral transgression.

Morton C. Creditor

Kansas City

Our nation born to be Christian? Ms. Garrett might find it useful to read Article 11 of the Treaty with Tripoli, made between the U.S. and the Barbary pirates in 1797, which explicitly declares “As the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” This was written under Washington’s presidency and approved unanimously by the Senate under the administration of John Adams.

Some of our nation’s founders, such as Patrick Henry, believed in embracing Christianity. However, they were in the minority. This is not a Christian nation precisely because Jefferson, Madison and their allies understood that any government that encourages any religious belief puts everyone’s religious liberty at risk.

Denis Neville

Olathe

I understand Juanell Garrett when she says she hasn’t seen much change for the better in her lifetime. It may be because we as a people have pushed God to the side. But I also believe that many of the people who would have our government run by the church have pushed the true spirit of God aside as well.

I am a Christian, but my God is very different from that of many fundamentalists who want to inject their judgment of others’ lifestyles and choices into our government: those who would push gays and lesbians underground again, take away a woman’s right to choose what she does to her own body and make schoolchildren of all faiths pray a Christian prayer.

The real question is not whether we allow God into our government but whose God we are going to choose.

Regina Ellis

Kansas City

Praise for Olympics coverage

I respectfully disagree with Brian Kegerreis (8/9, Letters) about boycotting the Olympics. While I don’t condone the Chinese government’s actions and we both respect the athletes’ diligence and commitment, the similarity ends there.

I think watching the Olympics on TV is a great opportunity to teach children about other countries’ customs, personalities and convictions.

Despite our world’s vast differences, each opinion matters, including those of my own kids, who just might come away with new insight based on what they see and learn. I particularly like the personal interest stories, which allow us to see the human side of each athlete highlighted. Some of it may be fluff, but you can’t buy that kind of education in a textbook.

If you don’t like China’s government, don’t buy their products. But don’t ignore the rest of the world’s involvement. It’s an opportunity for a concise history lesson that you can continue once the TV is turned off.

The human spirit is universal, and the Olympics just might be the only venue to get a world’s worth of perspective in a box, literally and figuratively speaking.

Kathy Kline

Overland Park

The opening ceremony for the Olympics was the most fantastic presentation I have ever seen. It was not only a superb production; it was also an engineering marvel.

The Chinese government deserves the highest accolades.

John Gaines

Prairie Village

How low will McCain go?

It seems John McCain has nothing positive to offer the country. In three out of three consecutive campaign ads, McCain has gone completely negative.

The Britney Spears ad was silly. McCain’s more recent ad, “The One” is disturbingly sinister. As Time magazine points out, the ad uses loaded language and images to imply that Obama is the Antichrist. The most recent McCain ad, “Painful” repeats proven falsehoods about Obama without a single positive word on McCain.

I’d like to think McCain can’t go any lower than this. After all, it’s hard to top implying that your opponent is the Antichrist. But it’s only August, and I shudder to think what negative tactics McCain will stoop to come October.

I always hear people say they want positive, substantive campaigns. I hope my fellow voters will heed that desire in November.

Mark Logan

Prairie Village

You’ve changed, McCain

I heartily agree with Joel Connelly in his opinion piece “The hijacking of the Straight–Talk Express” (8/8, Opinion) that John McCain has turned into a sad shell of his former self.

I’m a 32-year-old African-American woman who was impressed with John McCain running for president in 2000. I remember thinking that if he were the Republican nominee I would vote for him.

Back then McCain was a straight shooter who seemed to be able to tell the truth, even if that meant not toeing the party line. Today when I hear him speak, all I can think of is a caged parrot squawking the phrases of its owners for a treat — those owners being the Bush administration and far-right conservatives.

The vast majority of Americans are neither far right nor far left. They are somewhere in the middle. We need a president who is willing to hold the middle ground.

That’s who McCain used to be, but that’s not who he is now.

Almitra Smith

Grandview

Thinking of voting Democratic?

Glenn Bradford’s letter (8/8) implied that because of President Bush’s 28 percent approval rating we need to change the control of the White House to the other party. The same logic says it is three times more important to change the party in control of Congress because they have only a 9 percent approval rating.

Just think: We might have an energy policy that actually takes the needs of the American people into account.

Dennis Tabel

Overland Park

More of the same won’t help

The current Congress, under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi, has done even less than usual. Now they are telling us we will get change by putting a rookie in charge of the Oval Office and more Democrats in the legislature.

Help me out, but is this not just doing a whole lot more of what is not working with the expectations of different results?

Everyone agrees the country is in a mess. The government has not produced a viable energy policy in 30 years under either party. The special interest groups have taken solid control. Sorry, folks. As long as big energy companies have their way, we see nothing that is not controlled by them.

Will Rogers said it years ago: “We have the best government money can buy.”

I apologize to my children and grandchildren for the mess we made.

Gary Showalter

Prairie Village

GOP’s role in energy crisis

In his letter (8/8) regarding Congress leaving for a five-week recess before voting on an energy bill, Mike Michie asks: “Where was (Dennis) Moore last Friday when there was a debate in his branch of the government on this subject?”

I have a bigger question: Where was the GOP on the energy issue for the six years they were in the majority of both houses? During those six years, the price of a barrel of oil jumped from less than $30 a barrel to more than $100 a barrel, and nothing was done by the GOP majority.

George Bush and Dick Cheney both come from the oil industry, and Mr. Michie questions Moore’s bipartisanship? What is that old saying about glass houses and stones?

What the GOP is staging in D.C. is nothing more than a political stunt.

Maryellen Marr

Louisburg, Kan.

Sam Graves protects our money

Sam Graves understands the hard-earned money of the people in Missouri’s 6th District should not be taken by increased taxes. He has fought against Washington’s out-of-control spending.

The middle class is being pounded with taxes, which is only hurting the economy. We should be able to spend our money the way we choose instead of passing it along to the government, which just spends our money like drunken sailors.

We need Sam Graves fighting for us in Washington so we can keep more of our money in our own pockets.

Michele Chambers

Kansas City

Save Truman neighborhood

The Truman Historical Neighborhood in Independence was placed on the 2008 List of 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites by the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation. Unfortunately, this is not the first time it has made the list.

The neighborhood is a wonderful asset to our community and our state. It should not be allowed to deteriorate or be divided in any way for use other than as a historic residential neighborhood.

The city of Independence and its citizens should pull together to draft measures to ensure the continued viability of this property.

To read the full story, please go to the Alliance’s Web site: www.preservemo. org/2008MostEndangered.html

I propose that every step be taken, whether by law or ordinance, to assure that the neighborhood never makes this list again.

Julie Peters Jones

Independence

Free speech vs. good judgment

I publicly apologize to any individuals I may have offended at the Truman Library in Independence on Aug. 3.

One of the rooms in the library offers the opportunity to electronically express opinions on specific topics. The question was asked: Do you believe that freedom of speech is an important right? The unanimous vote indicated that freedom of speech was important.

The next question: Based on the importance of the right of free speech, is it your opinion that military numbers and movement, including time and place, should be made public prior to action against the enemy? The overwhelming response indicated that it was appropriate to publish such information.

I have faced the enemy and have been fired on while serving as a medic. I was in disbelief. I reacted spontaneously by standing up and blurting out my displeasure using a barnyard slang expression that describes a pile of bull manure. I apologize.

Good judgment should direct me to be responsible about what I say. I question those whose indiscretion releases information that could cause harm to our military members. Freedom of speech also allows us the freedom not to speak when intellect dictates.

Dewayne Knott

Smithville

Canadians feel welcome in KC

Three of us were in Kansas City recently for the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International conference. That Sunday evening, two of us were walking in the Plaza district looking for a restaurant. We had just spent the day traveling — doing the flight, connection and shuttle thing — and we were hungry.

We were standing on the corner, reading a map and a tourism brochure and trying to decide on a restaurant when a very nice young man, who had just passed us, turned around and asked if he could help us.

He took us on a walking tour of the Plaza, pointing out the different restaurants and shops, and gave us suggestions for dinner. He also provided us with a bit of history and some “must see” attractions.

After about 15 minutes he pointed us to a very nice restaurant and went on his way. We were impressed that this gentleman would take the time to help total strangers and to speak so proudly of Kansas City. What a wonderful introduction to your city.

Ron Lord and Laura Phillips

Guelph, Ontario

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