My 5th grade Social Studies class is studying the structure of the United States government at Kitty Stone Elementary School in Jacksonville. I asked the students to draw a help-wanted advertisement for the 2004 presidential candidate or write the qualifications they were looking for in a candidate in the form of an advertisement for homework. Many of the students advertised for a female, Alabama or Auburn fan and other unique qualities, but I was touched by the qualities Justin Kirk is looking for in a candidate. I have asked his mother’s permission to send these qualities to you:1. The president should have faith in God. I want a president who prays and relies on God for wisdom to lead the country.
2. The president should be honest. I want a president who will always tell the truth and not try to deceive people.
3. The president should be smart and wise. I want a president who is educated and stays informed about all the important things affecting the country.
4. The president should be brave. I want a president who has courage to face our enemies.
5. The president should be nice. I want a president who is kind to people.
I am proud of Justin’s insight. This will give us all a measuring guide as we make our decision to vote for the best candidate to lead our country.
Kathy Weiser
Justin Kirk
Jacksonville
Wrong on church and state
Re Barry Lynn’s Jan. 25 column on Roy Moore and the Ten Commandments:
Lynn failed to look at what our Founding Fathers meant in the First Amendment, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Nowhere in the Constitution can you find “separation of church and state,” which seems to be quoted so liberally today that most Americans believe it is in our Constitution.
Let’s just look at a few quotes from some famous men who can enlighten us today on this issue of religion and government.
• Patrick Henry: “This nation was not founded by religions but Christianity.”
• John Quincy Adams: “The Highest glory of the American Revolution was that it connected indissoluble bond of Christian principles with principles of civil government.”
• George Washington: “Do not let anyone claim to be a true American if they attempt to remove religion from politics.”
• John Jay (the first Chief Justice): “Providence has given us the choice of their rulers and it is the duty as well as privilege and interests of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for its rulers.”
Let’s thank God for Roy Moore calling us to remember from whence we have come and “not to remove the ancient boundary which our fathers have set.” (Proverbs 22:28)
Anne Faucett
Piedmont
Reasons for headscarves
Re the Jan. 21 letter, “Obeying laws”:The issue of headscarves in driver’s license photos calls for a bit more understanding than the letter writer offered. Muslim women who wear a headscarf do so as a sign of modesty and purity. Ordering a devout Muslim woman to bare her head before strangers is deeply insulting. Imagine such an insult to your mother or your sister. No one would want to tolerate it.
This is not a public safety issue. It’s about bigotry. A Star article noted that other women have been allowed exemptions from the policy for wigs and headscarves, such as those used by women with cancer.
The question would be: Why were those women offered a measure of dignity and understanding that we are unwilling to extend to our Muslim neighbors? Are we that afraid of Muslim women, driving their children to ball practice or running errands in town?
Our nation began with the hope of free exercise of religious belief. Many native-born Americans are Muslim; other Muslims have immigrated with the hope of being part of our society. Our laws should reflect the freedom to worship God in our own way. People of faith are more alike than we are different. We need to show a lot more understanding and Southern hospitality.
Susan M. Di Biase
Jacksonville
Watch out for Captain Bush
Let’s look at the facts concerning the captain of our cheerleading squad — George W. Bush. Since President Bush has been in office, 2.3 million Americans have lost their jobs, education has hit an all-time low and healthcare has become one fumbled pile of legislative rubbish. We have become the most hated nation for literally destroying another country just to find one man and his two sons.If Bush really thinks that the sanctity of marriage will be in trouble if gays are allowed a government-recognized marriage, then he is more out of touch than we will ever know. With heterosexuals getting married every time they change their underwear and so many reality TV shows exploiting this so-called God-given right, then let us not tear up the sanctity of marriage. I would hate for tradition to be altered just because a few million gays want to marry their life partner and live happily in America like everyone else.
It’s not enough that Bush treats hard-working, tax-paying, law-abiding gay Americans like second-class citizens. He goes an extra step proposing to give full citizenship to some illegal immigrants so they may enjoy the fruits of the American freedom — something the rest of us are losing.
For the rest of the American cheerleading squad, be prepared to lose another 2.3 million jobs to our newfound Americans if we allow Bush to stay in office.
Captain Bush has already proved to us all that he can destroy a country, so is it really necessary to let him destroy America as well? I think not.
Tonja Mason
Beech Bluff, Tenn.
