SPEAK OUT

Read the fine print

REPUBLICANS DON'T live in La-la Land. We simply use common sense, which is something the Democrats don't seem to have. If they had any common sense, they would read the fine print of the so-called patients' bill of rights, particularly the part that says patients cannot only sue the HMOs, but also the employer. If this bill passes, the Democrats will once again cause unemployment to skyrocket.

Role of mysticism

SALUTATIONS TO Shirley Seabaugh. In a letter to the editor, she accurately alluded to the mistake David Limbaugh made when he asserted that mysticism has "little place in Christianity." Seabaugh correctly and succinctly pointed out mysticism's long and continuing influence in the Roman Catholic tradition. I can only add that mysticism has also played more than a minor role in the Protestant heritage. Limbaugh should continue his wonderful political columns, but he should leave things religious to those of the cloth.

Time for penance

AS SHIRLEY Seabaugh aptly pointed out, David Limbaugh dropped the ball when he downplayed the role of mysticism in the Christian tradition. Ironically, mysticism has also had an ongoing and major influence on conservatism, the political credo to which Limbaugh claims to aspire. Limbaugh's egregious error does not rise to the level of heresy. Still, penance of some sort does seem appropriate.

Historical roots

I PREDICTED that when political pundit David Limbaugh ventured into religious pronouncements there would be repercussions. It has come to pass. Shirley Seabaugh's letter to the editor decimated Limbaugh's declaration that mysticism has very little place in Christianity. Seabaugh deftly delineated mysticism's historical roots and ongoing practice by millions of committed Christians.

Too much ringing

RECENTLY, A church in Advance started ringing its bell every hour on the hour from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. I work nights and need my beauty rest. Please have mercy and be a good Christian. Stop the bells.

Please limit bells

I HAVE been reading about the comments concerning the church bells ringing in Advance. I live in Advance and find the hourly ringing of the bells very annoying. There are several people in the community who feel this way, but no one wants to voice an opinion for fear of condemning the church or offending anyone. I don't play my music so loud that the entire town can hear it because I don't assume that everyone will enjoy it. Why do the bells not ring during Sunday service? Could it be annoying or disruptive? Why would a church, of all organizations, do something that offends others? I am in no way trying to start a war, I'm just hoping and praying that someone from the church may read this and limit the bells to maybe once a day or only on Sunday.

Time to wake up

THE WHINY Democratic Party, which is home to every crying liberal and every sick cause, doesn't want taxes to be cut and doesn't want to find energy sources. Democrats just cry and moan. They don't want vouchers for schools which teach our children better. They don't want values taught in our schools. They don't want any restrictions on filth. When will decent people wake up?

It's their fault

I WAS astonished at the poll stating that most Americans think the population is divided by the haves and have-nots, with the latter blaming the government for their financial woes. The overwhelming majority of the have-nots are in the predicament because of their own actions, not because of who is in power in Washington. If they owe more on loans and credit cards than they can afford to repay, whose fault is that? Financial success depends on the individual, not the government.

Make it appropriate

THE WOMAN in Houston who killed her children should get the same punishment Susan Smith got, at least, which is life in prison. She had every opportunity to stop and realize what she was doing, and I really hope they punish her appropriately.

Just send it back

THERE IS a lot of write-up in the paper about the people we have in Washington. A lot of you do not care for the president. This president will be giving you a check in the mail within the next several months as a part of his tax cut. Since you do not like this man, I suggest you give the money back. If you are going to keep it, then shut up.

Public relations blitz

I WOULD just like to warn the Jackson voters to get ready for the public relations blitz that is going to hit until election time, saying how we need all of these things and how we are sadly lacking. Just remember, the old school board never came to the voters and asked for their approval on the land purchases or the money coming out of our operating fund and depleting it. We need to remember this when we go to the polls to vote and not believe everything we see.

Highways OK now

WILL YOU please let Highway 34 and Highway 72 stay the way they are? There's no sense in changing stuff when it works real good. It's a good traffic flow.

Laughing at us

TO THE city council members who have made some of the stupidest decisions I've ever seen in the last couple of years: We've just about had it. Why didn't you listen to any of the taxpayers who complained about the roundabout to begin with? You are tearing up the same streets over and over at our expense. Last year you outlawed bottle rockets for this year. Bottle rockets aren't a problem. In the past two days we've had firecrackers set off in our mailbox three times. People drive on our street at night and throw lit strings of firecrackers out of their cars. It's ridiculous how little you pay attention to those of us in the community. Between the River Campus and the roundabout, you've made us a laughingstock.