Setting record straight
Re Phyllis Farish's letter:
- The words "In God We Trust" were not added until the War Between the States, obviously to show the Union as having God on their side. It was not officially mandated by Congress until 1908.
2 and 6. In God We Trust (motto) and "under God" (pledge) were not added officially until 1954 (pledge) and 1956 (motto), this time to show how godly we were compared to communist Russia. In God We Trust was an unofficial motto. The Congress in 1782 adopted E. Pluribus Unum as our motto.
The months of the Gregorian calendar are exclusively based on Roman mythology or Roman counting. The days of the week are named after the sun, moon, Norse mythology, or a Roman god (Saturn).
Christmas wasn't a national holiday until 1870. In fact, at one time England and the colonies forbade the observance altogether.
Easter is not a national holiday.
Number 7 is not debatable since it is an opinion.
This is not an argument about the merits of Christianity, but rather about setting the record straight, historically.
JOHN McLAREN
Crossett
Should open his mind
Referencing James Webb's letter to the editor, I would like for him to know that we have been praying for the president, our country, and our military for a good six years.
What Mr. Webb is suggesting is all well and good. It has always been that we have solved our national problems by political leaders of both parties working together along with the president--Reagan-O'Neill, Clinton-Gingrich--to reach a consensus on the best path to follow.
We agree with Mr. Webb's statement that our president is a flawed human being, and that even Pat Robertson has admitted the same about himself; unfortunately, President Barack Obama apparently does not think he is flawed at all. It is obvious that he views himself as omniscient and sees his way as the only way, evidenced by his refusal to consider anything proposed by the middle of the road or conservative leaders.
Many Americans, including us, have prayed for the president to open his mind to good ideas from both sides and to find sensible means of achieving success in reaching agreed-upon goals in a manner equitable for all Americans.
We believe that the president is not interested in the thoughts and desires of others. He does appear to be interested in promoting higher taxes, bigger government, suppression of personal freedom, political correctness, etc.
We see the current president as working to create a watered-down America, ready to be handed over to whoever wants to take it. Perhaps our prayers should focus on America surviving long enough to effect a positive change in leadership!
CHARLIE and
SANDY WILLIAMS
Hot Springs Village
Outstanding letters
I wanted to thank you for printing such outstanding letters as the one from Bo Renner, "How to fix America," and Kathy Windle's "Don't overlook skills." I really enjoyed reading both of these letters and I appreciate the thought these writers took to initiate and share.
These are common-sense ideas that make sense to me. It is a shame that our leaders are not listening, reading, cooperating and creating the right opportunities and environments.
Thank you again to both of these contributors and your editors.
SHARON ROBERTS
North Little Rock
Dedicated to helping
In recent months there have been many TV, radio and newspaper stories regarding the sad state of the Veterans Administration that primarily discuss mistreatment of veterans who apply for medical help.
I am a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, and had no contact with the VA for many, many years. Neither I nor any of my relatives are employed by the VA.
Recently, though, I have had extensive contact with the Arkansas VA relating to a service-connected disability that involved being seen by, and working with, numerous doctors, nurses, office workers and other disciplines of the Arkansas VA. I would like to tell everyone who reads this newspaper that, without exception, I received excellent treatment by every one of the dozens of people who were not only professionally dedicated to solving my problem, but did it in a very compassionate, patient and friendly manner.
I have never seen such a large organization so totally dedicated to helping and making old, tired, worn-out war veterans comfortable.
To the top management who put those excellent teams together, I say congratulations. To those on the firing lines who made it work, I say thank you and may God bless you!
ARTHUR O. MILLER
Little Rock
A sad state of affairs
World War II was probably the greatest time in history this country will ever see. We basically fought two wars at the same time and had great leaders--government and military, and two great presidents.
The military and everyone back home pulled together for one cause, to win, and there was a lot of prayer. Our military leaders prayed before they went into battle; I have read the prayers of many of these leaders and presidents before a battle or a major decision was made, and in the end the victories were ours, I believe because God had his hand over this great country.
Now I look around at all of the sin in America, and it seems every time you turn around someone and/or group is wanting to remove God from something. I tell you what: You believe what you want; we can blame all the problems in this country on many things.
I personally believe God has taken his mighty hand off this country. As my late mother used to say, we are in a sad state of affairs, and the worst part--your vote used to mean something. Now does it really? God help us.
JEFFRY S. HOUCK
Benton
Editorial on 06/25/2014