Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010

Your Letters

Politicians say

the darndest things

Anyone who characterizes the Etheridge video as "putting your arms around someone" is way past spin and Kool-Aid drinking. They have a problem with the truth.

As a lifelong Kennedy Democrat (JFK that is) and a big fan of Martin Luther King Jr., I disagree with Obama on most of his policies and views. The way I live my life and want my government to work are more in line with the views of Limbaugh, Beck and Hannity - conservatives, not Republicans, who advocate small government, individual responsibility and balanced budgets.

The question to Etheridge is very relevant because of Obama's comments on police acting stupidly and racial profiling when the police followed correct and proper procedures; his wife's "For the first time in my adult life I am proud of the United States;" Pelosi's "We have to pass the health-care bill to find out what is in it;" and many other statements.

These views are from the highest elected officials of the United States, not entertainers; talk about scary.

Terry Duff

Garner

Founding Fathers were Christians

As I was sitting in church this Fourth of July, I started to think of the Founding Fathers and how their religion and our history have been distorted. For example, I heard someone who claimed to be a Christian state that our Founding Fathers were not Christians. Where are these people getting their information? For what I have read from their own written words, they were Christians. Here are just some examples:

Benjamin Franklin stated: "In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. ... Do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?" Thomas Jefferson wrote, "I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus." James Madison stated. "We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We've staked the future of all our political institutions upon our capacity ... to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God." John Adams and John Hancock: "We Recognize No Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus." John Adams: "The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. ... I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God." He also stated, "[July 4th] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty."

I could go on, but I think I made my point. We were founded under Christian principles and we accept the right of others to practice theirs. All we ask in return is that they recognize this fact and respect our right to practice ours.

David G. Speckhardt

Selma

Angels among us

Recently, as I was leaving the fitness center where I exercise, I felt my sugar dropping, so I got a peppermint. I went on to the bank and did my business, but my speech had become affected. (I am also a 42-year migraine sufferer, which has led to pseudoseizures and a couple of strokes.) The next stop was CVS, where, as I pulled up, my lips had started chattering beyond control. I knew what I was in for.

I carry a black pouch with my driver's license, insurance card, medical history and medications, including my Ativan. I reached in my pocketbook and pulled it out, but I had become so uncoordinated that I could not unzip it. A lady getting out of her van put her arm on my shoulder as the CVS door opened and said: "Ma'am, you look like you are not well. What can I do for you?" I handed her my black pouch and managed to tell her that I had seizures and to please get me help. A cashier called 9-1-1, and a man in the store who was a paramedic was an angel. He knew to let me be free and not to hold me down.

Meanwhile, I had put this woman in such a bad position. My body was all over the place, and I had no control. I was so embarrassed. An ambulance came, and by the time it arrived, most of my seizure was over, but I heard the woman say, "I'll follow y'all to the hospital." And sure enough, there she was.

Her name is Ivy Booker of Selma, and she was absolutely precious, giving up four hours of her day to care for me. She gave my husband a full update when he arrived and even stayed for another half-hour.

This is proof that there are angels among us.

Martha Parrish

Princeton