Enjoyed Religion section article

I enjoyed reading the article on Donald Miller’s book “Blue Like Jazz” in the Religion section. I found it interesting, though provocative, and balanced. Part of achieving that balance is to provide opposing points of view.

One such view was Shane Walker, who took issue with Miller’s depiction of Jesus as a “nice fellow” and voiced concerns that Miller “forgets to remind readers that Jesus is a judge and avenger.”

In my own experience, I have found that the opinions of mankind (my own included) when it comes to God — don’t amount to a hill of beans. I find it best to let God do his own talking. The best authority on Jesus — is Jesus.

So what does Jesus say about being a “nice fellow” or being a “judge” or being an “avenger”? To assist in clarifying this matter Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, said the following:

“Ye have hear that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43-44, King James version)

“Judge not.” (Matthew 7:1, King James version)

Sister Leslie Fairchild
The Society for the Sermon on the Mount
Anacortes


Spend on troops, not hardware

President Eisenhower was right on target when he warned America about the military industrial complex (MIC), but our country ignored his forewarning. The MIC scared or duped Congress into approving the purchase of military hardware that was not required — history has shown that the communist threat was exaggerated.

We now have a trillion dollars of worthless hardware scattered over deserts or rusting in ports. The MIC perpetuates its predominance by offering select positions to retiring high-ranking military officers or those who are associated with expensive defense programs. However, it appears that the MIC is not interested in medical programs, since our injured troops are not receiving adequate health care — no expensive hardware needed.

I had to account for every penny when I was a fighter squadron commander, and there were no extra benefits for my personnel. I later discovered that there were billions available for questionable MIC projects when I was serving at the Pentagon. This administration allocated funds to purchase F-22 fighter aircraft ($132 million each) for an unknown future threat but has few benefits available for injured combatants.

The Air Force recently declared that 442 F-15 fighters were fatally flawed after only 25 years of service — planned obsolescence? The same company built an earlier fighter, F-4 Phantom II, which is still flying in several countries and has survived numerous carrier landings since 1962. Now the MIC will induce the Air Force to request funds to replace these flawed fighters with F-22s — no-bid contracts? The MIC may use scare tactics to convince Congress that inordinately expensive fighters are required.

Who would the new planes be used against? Our country should allocate funds to equip and protect our troops, and it is unconscionable for a nation to ignore the needs of our injured combatants.

Lt. Col. Val Ross Johnson, USAF (Ret.)
Anacortes


All should revolve around elderly

The elderly should be at the center of all things in this world.

How many old residents of Skagit County are living in abject fear of ending up in a nursing home? Why?

The words we speak are the food we feed each other. How many of the old folks (among whom we are living) are being starved to death for want of this?

How many are waiting to die because they feel useless, unappreciated, invisible?

To be contemptuous and dismissive of senior citizens is evidence of a paucity of understanding of life itself. Our path toward wisdom should take us into their presence, where, by being sustained by them, we restore lost meaning to their lives.

Where the elderly sit today, we younger people will sit tomorrow. By changing their lives for the better, we change the future we are moving toward.

Love turns the wheel.

Leland Mellott
Mount Vernon


Violent society foots bill for crime

Well, I guess it’s true that nothing is forever — not even the good old U.S.A. Is it the aftereffects of Woodstock and all the love children’s idea that all it takes is love to solve humanity’s problems? I don’t think so.

Let me share some facts of life: Mankind has never changed, nor will it ever change. You complain about cruelty and unusual criminal punishment, yet you watch and pay to watch what is called “Ultimate Fighting,” which is nothing more than caveman activities.

Hollywood puts out nothing but violence and sex. Our justice system protects the criminals with a plethora of defense lawyers whose job is nothing more than to declare their criminal client innocent, even though the crime was witnessed by many. Even so, he is still “innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.” Guilt or innocence, therefore, has nothing to do with it. It’s just a matter of who has the smartest lawyer. Lawyers? We have more of those legal leeches than the rest of the world. It is no wonder that they have to resort to frivolous suits to make a case.

What could work better? How about Singapore? They have virtually no crime because they cane criminals. You want to see violence for entertainment? How about a pay-per-view channel showing floggings of criminals? It would beat “American Idol.”

Better yet, show it on nationwide prime time TV so would-be criminals could get a message loud and clear as to what to expect besides free food, free housing, free dental and medical, and head-of-the-line organ transplants — all at taxpayers’ expense.

Crime would drop like a rock. Ever happen? Not in my lifetime. Meanwhile, work hard, folks; the crime bill has to be paid by you.

Matt Burns
Oak Harbor


Converts are reborn in Christ

Response to P. Goff: I agree, I find intolerance abhorrent! I’m one of those delusional people. Yes, we have an uncontrollable desire to have others join us in our spiritual bliss — just following God’s orders! You’re right, it won’t work on someone like you. Remember that old saying about being reborn? Well, that’s what that means.

We Christians don’t believe in magic either. The Bible is our sword. Can it heal on its own? No. Can it magically transform people into something they’re not? No way! It’s a tough, yet simple request. You must ask him into your life. He won’t push or shove. You must come willingly. You need never open the “magic dust” to begin this relationship, however, you will have the desire to do so. For what child does not have the desire to learn about his or her maker?

There is so much misguided emotion coming from you! God must really want you fighting for him. You would be so welcomed.

Think for a moment. What if you’re wrong? The consequences of your actions will land you in hell forever. Then again, what if we’re wrong? I guess we’ll have led a good life and end up in the same heap as you. I’ll take my chances.

Yeah, this could be a waste of time. Jesus could be the biggest hoax ever created. Personally, I’d rather be safe than sorry, for sorry lasts a long, long time.

I, too, stand by my convictions. I cannot prove his existence, yet I see it everywhere.

You have many people praying for you. (We do that, too.) We don’t feel it’s a waste of time, as it’s God’s commandment that we love one another. That isn’t so bad is it?

Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.

Kathie Dolton
Mount Vernon


Need to get election right this time

It’s getting close to election time, and there seems to be no shortage of candidates for president. In my opinion, we have had two of the worst presidents in the history of our nation these past 15-plus years.

The first guy had a real problem keeping his pants on and was almost impeached because of that and not telling the truth. He also missed a good chance to get Osama bin Laden, who bombed our embassies in Africa and training terrorists who caused 9/11. He also had a tendency to govern by polls.

The next guy had a chance to be a really good president, but he blew it big time. We found ourselves in a war with Iraq (with no end in sight), Katrina was handled poorly, illegal immigration is an issue, and our prestige around the world is down to zero. As far as the election goes, we better get it right this time.

Jim Jewell
Burlington


Stimulus package is irresponsible

Two important issues have come to light.

First, the “economic stimulation” package proposed by Bush and Congress is irresponsible; it is the reverse of what it claims to be. It doesn’t extend unemployment, food stamps or medical benefits to those without jobs. It does nothing for the homeless. These poorest of poor have no address at which to even receive a check.

The package is just another way to borrow money from China. It puts us more in debt as a nation. It lowers the value of the dollar even more. The people who will spend their checks will do so at Wal-Mart for Chinese goods. We’re giving the money and commerce back to China and paying interest on it for goods that have no quality. It’s a giveaway that our children and grandchildren will be paying for.

Congress has no common sense. If it did, it would stop the Iraq war to create an “economic stimulus.” It would impeach the Bush administration, which is culpable for lying to us and leading us into this fake war that is giving windfall profits to contractors who do little to earn it.

Second, a veteran who fought in Iraq disclosed that the Veteran’s Center in Bellingham is not supporting the troops who have PTSD and a need for employment, food and medical care. My veteran friend was treated with disdain when he approached the center to get counseling and to be evaluated for PTSD.

He had appointments canceled on three occasions. He has a child and wife to support. He needs benefits and a caring place to go and get help. The Bellingham Veteran’s Center appears uncaring and needs to do its job, as it is getting government money from the taxpayers who receive little back in the way of services.

Karen H. Johnson, Ph.D.
Anacortes


Mass incarceration is appalling

So far, Washington legislators are delinquent in addressing the issue of our overcrowded prisons and the ridiculous costs of unnecessary mass incarceration. The powers that be have not realized yet that the taxpayer cannot continue to afford the present growth of our prison population.

Aging “three-strikers” are costing the taxpayer about $30,000 per year each, triple that when they reach 55 years old. Age is a true deterrent to crime. If the offender’s crime-prone years are long gone, it is unlikely that he or she is any threat.

We have many guilty of heinous crimes with release dates while many aging petty thieves are “lifers.” It seems our leaders should see the waste of life as well as tax dollars and repeal or at least modify the harsh three-strikes law. Violent felons would be serving lengthy sentences even without a three-strikes law.

Cheryl Onstad
Anacortes


Something can’t come from nothing

Imagine for a moment, thinking scientifically: All that we can see, touch, etc., came into being from some source. It, whatever “it” is, had to have been made from something. According to science and nature, things don’t just appear on their own from nonexistence into existence.

If that is true, think back to the very, very beginning before time and space. What was there? There couldn’t be any solid matter. What would have been around for it to have developed from? There couldn’t have been any gases, they also had to originate from some source. It was impossible for anything of a physical nature to have existed or come into being on its own. Something had to have been there first to create it or the components for it to have developed from.

What was there? Hmmmm! In the beginning God …

Larry Coggins
Mount Vernon


An ode to America’s future

What is it to be?

Agnostic, Muslim, Christian, Jew, which of these will see us through?

Republican, Democrat or Independent, too, politics aside, what will you do?

Lad or lass, some with class, will talk alone help our nation last?

Some seem to say experience past will show us the one for this great task.

Achievements, values history shows who’s the one who really knows?

To offer change as needs to be, will it be he or maybe she?

As for me and perhaps for thee, choose ye wisely and we shall see.

America’s future to be free can’t result from hypocrisy.

Our hearts and minds should meld as one and democracy may have won.

John Wilkinson
Anacortes


There is no magic dust here

Such verbiage, such virulent diatribe, Patrick Goff! Methinks thou doth protest too much.

In your letter of Jan. 19, you said it was clear that I not only wished you would experience torment but that you would experience fear and anguish in this, our shared reality. My wish for you is the exact opposite.

I do not hold you in disdain or pity. I have deep compassion for you in that you do not believe in God. Someday, I hope the words I have written and quoted will “work on you.” Someday you will know. No magic dust here.

Martha Williamson
Burlington