Letters to the Editor

DON'T CRITICIZE MORNING NEWS

Editor,

While reading your most recent column “Have they no sense of decency?” I couldn’t help but think that for an editor, you really are thin-skinned when it comes to your politics.

I’m guessing that Michael Ramirez’s cartoon was a response to Rep. Murtha’s request for troop withdrawals, since both incidents occurred within days of one another. As I see it, Ramirez is suggesting that Murtha’s idea and the subsequent support within the Democratic ranks are counter-productive to the political support we should be giving the Iraqi government, especially with elections right around the corner.

Was that cartoon the reason for his being let go by the LA Times? Who’s to say, but it should be noted that Robert Scheer, Ramirez’s political opposite and

Op/ED writer was also let go by the Times.

Now, your issue is not only with the cartoon, but that the Savannah Morning

News printed it. While you acknowledge the SMN editorial staff as “usually very professional,” you go on to comment that the editorial page has turned into a “vile cesspool” that suggests Democrats are traitors because they printed this cartoon.

And somehow, even after your admission that you’ve come to expect things like this from the SMN, you act shocked and hurt. Give me a break.

Political opinions are exactly that; opinions. Sometimes they ruffle feathers, but that doesn’t make them or those who wish to print them any less credible.

You ask for (but don’t expect) an apology from SMN (and others, like the local morning talk radio host), but who are they apologizing to? People who are too politically sensitive?

In these times politics are a hit for hit business. Or haven’t you taken a shot or two at a politician with whom you disagree?

The bottom line is, if you don’t like what the SMN is saying, you can always write the editor.

J. Stevens

STATE, CHURCH AREN'T SEPARATE

Editor,

If we are going to condemn our politicians and businesses for celebrating the American tradition of Christmas and the American tradition of embracing the Judeo/Christian ethics we must then condemn each and every one of our founding fathers who set the traditions in motion.

President Washington was not shy, expressing his faith in a manner that pales all the statements by President Bush. Most if not all of the Presidents through history have expressed and acknowledged the greater God. President Clinton evoked God’s name, although probably less than any other.

To condemn religion now we must then condemn each signer for the words included in the Declaration of Independence that includes: “Nature’s God,” “their Creator,” “Supreme Judge of the world,” “divine Providence,” and “sacred Honor.”

The founders addressed their faith first in the Bill of Rights, as the first order of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that restricts government from regulating religion.

“Separation of Church and State” is a myth, not to be found in any U.S. founding document. To embrace the religious traditions of America is to embrace the values and fortitude of America’s founding fathers.

‘Hancock’

PREDICTIONS:

Editor,

1) John McCain replaces Richard Cheney as Vice President to position for 2008 and continue Bush policy;

2) Joe Lieberman replaces Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense and officially becomes the Republican he has always been.

Davi Joseph