Our first column.
The 'Wright' thing to do
Red, White and New
Todd Jolley & Ryan Waterworth
Published: June 11, 2008
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
-1st Amendment to the United States Constitution
The words of Reverend Jeremiah Wright were, for those of us who have never attended his church, indeed polarizing and intense. For those of you who don't know what he said, let's just say that he isn't very happy with the way things have been and expressed that unhappiness with "radical" remarks. Remarks that were taken out of context from a larger sermon and replayed throughout the media. It is not important as what he said, but who possibly could've been listening.
Senator Barack Obama has been a member of Trinity United Church of Christ for the past 20 years, where Wright preached. He has come under scrutiny for his church membership, being that certain views of Jeremiah Wright are not the views that many voters would like their President to have. Senator Obama repeatedly tells us that his views are not the views of Revered Wright, nor are they the views of all the members of the church, as he said during a speech in March "I'm sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed."
Amen.
Senator McCain said about the controversy in an interview with Fox News "I do know Sen.
Obama. He does not share those views."
Former Presidential contender and Pastor Mike Huckabee doesn't hold Obama accountable either. He stated that "You can't hold the candidate responsible for everything that people around him say, As easy as it is for those of us who are white to say 'That's a terrible statement!' ... I grew up in a very segregated South� we've gotta cut some slack to people who grew up being called names."
If the voters really cared what Reverend Wright said, they wouldn't have nominated Obama, especially with Hillary on the attack.
Johnny Mac has his own divine problems.
Televangelist and fundamental Christian John Hagee endorsed him in February, an endorsement that McCain sought and was grateful to have, thinking it would increase his popularity among the Christian coalition. Stains on Hagee's tablecloth include calling the Catholic Church a "great whore" and saying that God sent Hitler to move the Jews to Israel. But we won't complain, we know McCain doesn't believe those things. As soon as the media began singling in on Hagee, McCain did as Obama, distancing himself and refuting the endorsement.
Everyone has skeletons in their closets, not to mention in their pews. The Southern Baptists became southern because they supported slavery while their northern counterparts didn't. A survey in 1968 showed that only 11 percent of Southern Baptist churches would admit Americans of African descent.
We don't need to mention what the Catholics did during the Dark Ages.
In 1852, while addressing the Utah Territorial Legislature, Brigham Young stated, "Any man having one drop of the seed of Cain (those of African descent) ... in him cannot hold the Priesthood. I will say it now in the name of Jesus Christ I know it is true." Blacks weren't allowed Mormon priesthood until 1978. It is obvious that the views of all churches, past and present, are not always reflected in the beliefs of the members.
The principle that religion should be wholly separate from government is so vital that our founding fathers listed it first in the constitution.
Abraham Lincoln said that "It will not do to investigate the subject of religion too closely, as it is apt to lead to Infidelity."
In the case of Board of Education of Kiryas Joel Village School District v. Grumet the Supreme Court concluded that "government should not prefer one religion to another, or religion to irreligion."
Regardless where Senator Obama or the rest of us go on Sunday morning, it is how we act the rest of the week that matters. If crazy statements made Obama who he is today then that's alright by us. We wouldn't have him any other way.
Under God or not, it's unconstitutional for the government to care.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
As luck would Have it.
After Ryan and I's 3rd letter to the editor, the editor invited us to his office and proposed that we right an opinion column for the summer. We were quite flattered and, overcoming our modesty, accepted.
The calm before the storm
Ryan responded to Mr. Davis's 10 reasons not to vote for the Democrat.
11 reasons not to listen to Mr. Davis
To the Editor: I am writing this letter because I would like to make some points that rival those of the great Mr. Davis as of yesterday June 3, 2008. You may need to get the paper to follow along.
1. Taxes, shame on you for shirking your patriotic duties to get this beloved country out of it's war debt, that if I remember correctly our beloved party leader started, and what Johnny McCain plans to prolong.
2. Why shouldn't the troops come home? The president declared a supposed" mission accomplished" exactly 1984 days ago. But alas, he wishes to urge a sensible Congress to send more. According to Mr. Davis' principles, we should still be fighting the Vietcong. We need to learn when enough is enough.
3. God forbid that our leaders might actually act like adults and talk to each other instead of acting like a pre-pubescent middle schooler at a teen dance. It does seem a little crazy that people might want to talk things out. Have you ever heard of the adage" keep your friends close and your enemies closer?"
4. You say the nominee will cut spending on an already faulty military, (which is only so faulty because of the conditions of the fighting). If we are diplomatic around our enemies there will be no need for a large military. Wait a small American military? That is absurd! It is funny that you should say that FDR was unprepared for the Japanese attack, it almost sounds like the 9/ 11 scenario, and oh yes� the Japanese attacked a military base. No life-loving soul should ever send his fellow citizen to die in a needless war.
5. What is wrong with the judges he or she might nominate? They might even uphold the Constitution for a change.
6. If we know where these terrorists are, why don't we just arrest them, or better yet, we could send the military in after them. Wait, troop numbers are down, and the ones that are enlisted are in Iraq. Maybe if we pull out we may have some free personnel to capture them. I don't know, it's just a thought.
7. See Mr. O'Reilly's sorry, Mr. Davis' point # 5. I've put down my gun (which I've never owned) and my cross. Also, can you say" Pastor Hagee?"
8. See Mr. Limbaugh's, sorry again, Mr. Davis' point # 5 and # 7.
9. Mr. Davis is describing a scenario that has already happened. It is called the Patriot Act!
10. I don't wonder why Obama took his pin off. It's either because he is a Muslim terrorist, or he wants his patriotism to be proven through actions not accessories.
11. Mr. Davis needed 10 reasons to tell you not to vote for the Democratic nominee. I only need one to convince you to vote the opposite� Whoever it may be is not a Republican.
Ryan Waterworth
Worland
11 reasons not to listen to Mr. Davis
To the Editor: I am writing this letter because I would like to make some points that rival those of the great Mr. Davis as of yesterday June 3, 2008. You may need to get the paper to follow along.
1. Taxes, shame on you for shirking your patriotic duties to get this beloved country out of it's war debt, that if I remember correctly our beloved party leader started, and what Johnny McCain plans to prolong.
2. Why shouldn't the troops come home? The president declared a supposed" mission accomplished" exactly 1984 days ago. But alas, he wishes to urge a sensible Congress to send more. According to Mr. Davis' principles, we should still be fighting the Vietcong. We need to learn when enough is enough.
3. God forbid that our leaders might actually act like adults and talk to each other instead of acting like a pre-pubescent middle schooler at a teen dance. It does seem a little crazy that people might want to talk things out. Have you ever heard of the adage" keep your friends close and your enemies closer?"
4. You say the nominee will cut spending on an already faulty military, (which is only so faulty because of the conditions of the fighting). If we are diplomatic around our enemies there will be no need for a large military. Wait a small American military? That is absurd! It is funny that you should say that FDR was unprepared for the Japanese attack, it almost sounds like the 9/ 11 scenario, and oh yes� the Japanese attacked a military base. No life-loving soul should ever send his fellow citizen to die in a needless war.
5. What is wrong with the judges he or she might nominate? They might even uphold the Constitution for a change.
6. If we know where these terrorists are, why don't we just arrest them, or better yet, we could send the military in after them. Wait, troop numbers are down, and the ones that are enlisted are in Iraq. Maybe if we pull out we may have some free personnel to capture them. I don't know, it's just a thought.
7. See Mr. O'Reilly's sorry, Mr. Davis' point # 5. I've put down my gun (which I've never owned) and my cross. Also, can you say" Pastor Hagee?"
8. See Mr. Limbaugh's, sorry again, Mr. Davis' point # 5 and # 7.
9. Mr. Davis is describing a scenario that has already happened. It is called the Patriot Act!
10. I don't wonder why Obama took his pin off. It's either because he is a Muslim terrorist, or he wants his patriotism to be proven through actions not accessories.
11. Mr. Davis needed 10 reasons to tell you not to vote for the Democratic nominee. I only need one to convince you to vote the opposite� Whoever it may be is not a Republican.
Ryan Waterworth
Worland
At it again
Mr. Stephen Crane of Basin wrote a letter to the editor. He drove me to respond to his letter with the following:
Not just another insane political opinion
Published: May 30, 2008
To the Editor: Upon my completion of yesterday's letter to the editor I was grinning ear to ear. It was a reminder of how great the United States of America is; that we have the freedom to publish and read insane opinions, and then dignify those opinions with an equally insane response.
I could tell Mr. Crane that insane opinions are frequent in the Daily News, most often from the "conservative" side, and seldom from the "liberal" side. I could counter Mr. Crane's arguments with my own. I could say that over-generalizing "liberals" as Constitutionhating, immoral goons what are constantly trying to crush democracy and promote terrorism is absolutely ludicrous. I could point out the flaws of conservatism, saying that I'd like my civil liberties untouched or that 15 percent of Americans under the poverty line are still waiting for wealth to "trickle down" to them. I could say that because of the Electoral College, the person with the most votes doesn't always win. I could say that, but given the circumstances, it might put me with him and others walking on that fine line between opinion and insanity. So I won't say it.
All I will say is thank you, for reminding me what makes this county great.
Todd M. Jolley
Worland
Not just another insane political opinion
Published: May 30, 2008
To the Editor: Upon my completion of yesterday's letter to the editor I was grinning ear to ear. It was a reminder of how great the United States of America is; that we have the freedom to publish and read insane opinions, and then dignify those opinions with an equally insane response.
I could tell Mr. Crane that insane opinions are frequent in the Daily News, most often from the "conservative" side, and seldom from the "liberal" side. I could counter Mr. Crane's arguments with my own. I could say that over-generalizing "liberals" as Constitutionhating, immoral goons what are constantly trying to crush democracy and promote terrorism is absolutely ludicrous. I could point out the flaws of conservatism, saying that I'd like my civil liberties untouched or that 15 percent of Americans under the poverty line are still waiting for wealth to "trickle down" to them. I could say that because of the Electoral College, the person with the most votes doesn't always win. I could say that, but given the circumstances, it might put me with him and others walking on that fine line between opinion and insanity. So I won't say it.
All I will say is thank you, for reminding me what makes this county great.
Todd M. Jolley
Worland
Jim Davis rides again
Jim Davis wrote another thought provoking letter. We responded kindly.
Defending peace, leadership and Obama
Published: March 13, 2008
To the Editor: "At the center of non-violence stand the principle of love." "Violence breeds only more violence, and hatred only more hatred." These words were spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the greatest humans this world has ever seen. Jesus taught us to love our enemies. (I can assure you there is nothing that annoys them more.) So how are we doing? Do we love our enemies, do we embrace the idea that peace is more powerful than war, love more powerful than hate? It certainly does us better to love one another.
Barack Obama said that he would meet with "rogue" leaders of the world without preconditions. Now he isn't suggesting that he would have them over to the White House for a cup of coffee, rather, he is embracing the thought of loving your enemies. The strategy of diplomacy and negotiation, of communicating with words rather than bullets. JFK and Mr. Reagan did the same thing � meeting with the leaders of our "great" enemy the Soviet Union. It seemed to have worked well, didn't it? The U.S. used diplomacy to pressure North Korea into moving toward suspending their nuclear weapons program. The President of Iran is enriching uranium with possible intention of nuclear weapons. Perhaps he is only doing what he thinks is best for his country, arming it with weapons that many other countries in the world have. Certainly no one would need nuclear weapons if everyone abandoned their programs. As one of the last remaining superpowers, maybe the United States should lead by example, doing their part to rid the world of abominable weaponry. It seems a bit hypocritical to forbid others to pursue nuclear power; however, being hypocritical is something that we're good at. Just look to "illegal" immigration; 100 percent of the people speaking out against it came from immigrants. Our ancestors came here to get a better life, the same reason an overwhelming majority come to the U.S. Indeed Senator Obama understands that it is through peace that the world's problems can be solved; he showed us that when he voted against authorization for the Iraq War, something Senator Clinton lacked the judgment to do. Imagine a peaceful world with no nuclear weapons, with no wars, a world where human beings aren't considered illegal, where peace is more patriotic that war, where all of us are pledging allegiance to the golden rule. I close with the words of musician Michael Franti: You can bomb the world to pieces, but you can't bomb it into peace.
Todd M. Jolley
Worland
Defending peace, leadership and Obama
Published: March 13, 2008
To the Editor: "At the center of non-violence stand the principle of love." "Violence breeds only more violence, and hatred only more hatred." These words were spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the greatest humans this world has ever seen. Jesus taught us to love our enemies. (I can assure you there is nothing that annoys them more.) So how are we doing? Do we love our enemies, do we embrace the idea that peace is more powerful than war, love more powerful than hate? It certainly does us better to love one another.
Barack Obama said that he would meet with "rogue" leaders of the world without preconditions. Now he isn't suggesting that he would have them over to the White House for a cup of coffee, rather, he is embracing the thought of loving your enemies. The strategy of diplomacy and negotiation, of communicating with words rather than bullets. JFK and Mr. Reagan did the same thing � meeting with the leaders of our "great" enemy the Soviet Union. It seemed to have worked well, didn't it? The U.S. used diplomacy to pressure North Korea into moving toward suspending their nuclear weapons program. The President of Iran is enriching uranium with possible intention of nuclear weapons. Perhaps he is only doing what he thinks is best for his country, arming it with weapons that many other countries in the world have. Certainly no one would need nuclear weapons if everyone abandoned their programs. As one of the last remaining superpowers, maybe the United States should lead by example, doing their part to rid the world of abominable weaponry. It seems a bit hypocritical to forbid others to pursue nuclear power; however, being hypocritical is something that we're good at. Just look to "illegal" immigration; 100 percent of the people speaking out against it came from immigrants. Our ancestors came here to get a better life, the same reason an overwhelming majority come to the U.S. Indeed Senator Obama understands that it is through peace that the world's problems can be solved; he showed us that when he voted against authorization for the Iraq War, something Senator Clinton lacked the judgment to do. Imagine a peaceful world with no nuclear weapons, with no wars, a world where human beings aren't considered illegal, where peace is more patriotic that war, where all of us are pledging allegiance to the golden rule. I close with the words of musician Michael Franti: You can bomb the world to pieces, but you can't bomb it into peace.
Todd M. Jolley
Worland
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
To which I responded
A fellow from Worland responded to Bryan and Ryan's letter, supporting Jim Davis. I responded with the following.
What Brings Shame upon Wyoming?
To the Editor:
In response to the response to the response to the Davis column:
We hear talk of Wyoming’s conservative attitude, yet since 1975 Democrats have held governorship for all but 8 years. Governor Freudenthal has one of the highest approval ratings in the United States, and the Democratic challenger to our house seat lost by only 1200 votes. This is probably due to the fact the Wyoming’s only voice in the House of Representatives missed more than half of her votes in 2007, missing 20% overall since 1997. Washakie County is being represented in the state house by a Democrat. I think our states attitude is best described as Republican with an understanding of the necessity of change.
Though the United States spends more on health care than any other industrialized country, we still have 47 million citizens who are uninsured. If we don’t support a form of universal health care now, then when? We are decades too late. Since when has the fortunate taking care of the unfortunate become a bad thing? These programs certainly won’t be funded by the wealthiest Americans, who, thanks to Mr. Bush, pay the least taxes. I admire Hillary Clinton for standing up for the unfortunate, those who seem to be overlooked time and time again. I doubt she could divide this country more than the incumbent President has. The democrats hugely outvoting republicans in recent primaries suggest that America wants change, change that Senator Clinton, who has the most popular votes to date, advocates. I wait with bated breath for the change coming with the election of the next President, whichever African-American or former first lady that may be. How can we consider former President Clinton arrogant when Congresswomen Cubin record touts many atrocious controversies? On April 9, 2003, Cubin said on the House floor, "My sons are 25 and 30. They are blond-haired and blue-eyed. One amendment today said we could not sell guns to anybody under drug treatment. So does that mean if you go into a black community, you cannot sell a gun to any black person, or does that mean because my …" Representative Melvin Watt, (D-N.C.), who is black, interrupted and demanded that Cubin retract the statement. Cubin said that she did not mean to offend her "neighbors" on the Democratic side, and maintained that her comment was within House rules. After a televised debate with Democratic candidate Gary Trauner and Libertarian candidate Thomas Rankin, Cubin approached Rankin, who has multiple sclerosis and is a wheelchair user, and said, "If you weren't sitting in that chair, I'd slap you across the face." Talk about arrogant.
Heath Ledger may have been simply an entertainer, but coverage of his death not only spanned liberal media, but all media, including the Daily News. Famous people’s deaths are often covered more than soldiers’ deaths, perhaps because reporting on them is an ugly reminder of the fiasco in the Middle East. I seriously doubt that “liberal” author Annie Proulx, whose short story was adapted into a film and starred Heath Ledger, was an attempt to bring shame to Wyoming. Rather, it was a courageous try to overshadow the hate crimes against homosexuals that many in our state have committed, comparable to the actions of the KKK. The bigoted opinion against social welfare and homosexuals is the only thing bringing shame upon Wyoming. I have the utmost respect for our men and women overseas doing as they’re commanded. Once again, they are the poor men fighting a rich man’s war.
My contribution on behalf unnecessary casualties: Petty Officer 1st class Luis A. Souffront, 25, of Miami, Fla., died Feb. 7. My colleagues and I are still the only ones providing coverage of the deceased. And yea, we are part of the liberal media.
What Brings Shame upon Wyoming?
To the Editor:
In response to the response to the response to the Davis column:
We hear talk of Wyoming’s conservative attitude, yet since 1975 Democrats have held governorship for all but 8 years. Governor Freudenthal has one of the highest approval ratings in the United States, and the Democratic challenger to our house seat lost by only 1200 votes. This is probably due to the fact the Wyoming’s only voice in the House of Representatives missed more than half of her votes in 2007, missing 20% overall since 1997. Washakie County is being represented in the state house by a Democrat. I think our states attitude is best described as Republican with an understanding of the necessity of change.
Though the United States spends more on health care than any other industrialized country, we still have 47 million citizens who are uninsured. If we don’t support a form of universal health care now, then when? We are decades too late. Since when has the fortunate taking care of the unfortunate become a bad thing? These programs certainly won’t be funded by the wealthiest Americans, who, thanks to Mr. Bush, pay the least taxes. I admire Hillary Clinton for standing up for the unfortunate, those who seem to be overlooked time and time again. I doubt she could divide this country more than the incumbent President has. The democrats hugely outvoting republicans in recent primaries suggest that America wants change, change that Senator Clinton, who has the most popular votes to date, advocates. I wait with bated breath for the change coming with the election of the next President, whichever African-American or former first lady that may be. How can we consider former President Clinton arrogant when Congresswomen Cubin record touts many atrocious controversies? On April 9, 2003, Cubin said on the House floor, "My sons are 25 and 30. They are blond-haired and blue-eyed. One amendment today said we could not sell guns to anybody under drug treatment. So does that mean if you go into a black community, you cannot sell a gun to any black person, or does that mean because my …" Representative Melvin Watt, (D-N.C.), who is black, interrupted and demanded that Cubin retract the statement. Cubin said that she did not mean to offend her "neighbors" on the Democratic side, and maintained that her comment was within House rules. After a televised debate with Democratic candidate Gary Trauner and Libertarian candidate Thomas Rankin, Cubin approached Rankin, who has multiple sclerosis and is a wheelchair user, and said, "If you weren't sitting in that chair, I'd slap you across the face." Talk about arrogant.
Heath Ledger may have been simply an entertainer, but coverage of his death not only spanned liberal media, but all media, including the Daily News. Famous people’s deaths are often covered more than soldiers’ deaths, perhaps because reporting on them is an ugly reminder of the fiasco in the Middle East. I seriously doubt that “liberal” author Annie Proulx, whose short story was adapted into a film and starred Heath Ledger, was an attempt to bring shame to Wyoming. Rather, it was a courageous try to overshadow the hate crimes against homosexuals that many in our state have committed, comparable to the actions of the KKK. The bigoted opinion against social welfare and homosexuals is the only thing bringing shame upon Wyoming. I have the utmost respect for our men and women overseas doing as they’re commanded. Once again, they are the poor men fighting a rich man’s war.
My contribution on behalf unnecessary casualties: Petty Officer 1st class Luis A. Souffront, 25, of Miami, Fla., died Feb. 7. My colleagues and I are still the only ones providing coverage of the deceased. And yea, we are part of the liberal media.
To which my colleagues responded...
Mr. Bryngleson and Mr. Waterworth wrote the next day after Jim Davis wrote in his column "The Sage up 15 mile. In Perspective." quite thought provoking things.
A Noble Suggestion for the Davis Column
To the Editor:
In Response to the Davis Column:
It is shocking to see such an unwarranted backlash against Senator Clinton's plan for Universal health care. If allowing all Americans access to health care is socialist then sign me up. Does that make denying over forty million Americans basic health care patriotic?
A quick not, I assume you meant after "a defeat in Iowa" because Hillary won the New Hampshire Primary. The must have been overlooked by your fact checker. Mr. Davis' claims agaisnt universal health care are unfounded. A report by the Common Wealth Fund states "Among the five countries, the U.K. health care system appears to provide the most equitable access." So can we really say that the UK's health care system is "unworkable?"
When we think about dictators, who immediatly comes to mind? How many of you thought of people like Adolf Hitler, Mussolini and Omar Al Bashir; but Mike Bloomberg? Bloomberg has fought for equal rights for New York, and yes, that does include gay rights. Mr. Davis makes this comparison because of his stance against smoking and trans-fats, but does this really make him a dictator? Are we comparing this man to the likes of Hussein and Bashir, the dictator in Sudan who allows his own citizens to be sold into slavery?
After calling the mayor of New York a dictator, Mr. Davis reminds us that had our mothers had abortions that none of us would have hte ability to read his column, this message seemingly turns into a sales pitch for his paintings. It also brings into question just how many right wing ideals he can fit into one opinion column.
To end his column, Mr. Davis states how utterly disgusted he is about the media coverage of Heath Ledger's death adn taht the media doesn't give enough coverage to the soldiers who have died in Iraq. Well, Mr. Davis, there is something that you can do; you can turn your opinion column into something noble. You can honor the life of one soldier a week instead of printing your opinions about abortion and universal health care. Here is our contribution: Spc. Christopher J. West of Arlington, Texas died Feb. 4 in Balad, Iraq. You can go to http://www.defenselink.mil/ to see an updated list of all the unecessary lives lost in Iraq. I'm sure the public would much prefer this.
A Noble Suggestion for the Davis Column
To the Editor:
In Response to the Davis Column:
It is shocking to see such an unwarranted backlash against Senator Clinton's plan for Universal health care. If allowing all Americans access to health care is socialist then sign me up. Does that make denying over forty million Americans basic health care patriotic?
A quick not, I assume you meant after "a defeat in Iowa" because Hillary won the New Hampshire Primary. The must have been overlooked by your fact checker. Mr. Davis' claims agaisnt universal health care are unfounded. A report by the Common Wealth Fund states "Among the five countries, the U.K. health care system appears to provide the most equitable access." So can we really say that the UK's health care system is "unworkable?"
When we think about dictators, who immediatly comes to mind? How many of you thought of people like Adolf Hitler, Mussolini and Omar Al Bashir; but Mike Bloomberg? Bloomberg has fought for equal rights for New York, and yes, that does include gay rights. Mr. Davis makes this comparison because of his stance against smoking and trans-fats, but does this really make him a dictator? Are we comparing this man to the likes of Hussein and Bashir, the dictator in Sudan who allows his own citizens to be sold into slavery?
After calling the mayor of New York a dictator, Mr. Davis reminds us that had our mothers had abortions that none of us would have hte ability to read his column, this message seemingly turns into a sales pitch for his paintings. It also brings into question just how many right wing ideals he can fit into one opinion column.
To end his column, Mr. Davis states how utterly disgusted he is about the media coverage of Heath Ledger's death adn taht the media doesn't give enough coverage to the soldiers who have died in Iraq. Well, Mr. Davis, there is something that you can do; you can turn your opinion column into something noble. You can honor the life of one soldier a week instead of printing your opinions about abortion and universal health care. Here is our contribution: Spc. Christopher J. West of Arlington, Texas died Feb. 4 in Balad, Iraq. You can go to http://www.defenselink.mil/ to see an updated list of all the unecessary lives lost in Iraq. I'm sure the public would much prefer this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)