Keeping the republic
On Dec. 7, 1941 the Japanese Empire attacked Pearl Harbor, nearly destroying the American Navy in the Pacific. The next morning President Franklin Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war. Congress approved.
Facing an enemy of over 6,000,000 men in arms and the most powerful Navy on the Earth, we were in mortal danger, exceeding any terrorist threat today. The executive and legislative branch acted rapidly in perfect unison. They did not allow fear to rule reason. They honored and upheld the U.S. Constitution. Since then, no president and Congress has achieved that perfect unison despite numerous wars and conflicts. Instead, they squabble over who has authority for war. Washington: Please read and heed our Constitution or resign your position.
Many a president and Congress spout that their first obligation is to protect the American people. Their oath of office should remind them that their first obligation is to preserve, protect, and defend our Constitution and, through that series of checks and balances, the American people.
The BDN editorial commemorating Pearl Harbor Day speaks of the folly of warfare but is caught napping itself by concluding America should look outward only. The essence of America is our Constitution. And. the essence of our Constitution is our civil liberties, which are under assault by fear and greed.
Round the clock, too many of our national leaders wave the flag of national security.They collectively reap multiple millions for their campaign coffers while the best of young America come home in coffins.
Yes, let’s remember Pearl Harbor. Yes, let’s honor the leaders of the Greatest Generation who honored our Constitution and saved America. We the people honor them best by heeding Benjamin Franklin, who warned, “You have a Republic if you can keep it.”
Joe Pickering Jr.
Bangor
God is the answer
In response to the Nov. 24 BDN letter, “God is not the answer,” I would like to look at Thomas Paine’s quote that ended in “to do good is my religion.” The word “good” is the very reason that religion and God are so very important in society. Heaven help us if we are going to let society alone decide on what is good.
The reason God gave us the Bible is to tell us what is truly good and also that this good will give us a meaningful life now and, if you are a believer, it has a strong bearing on the life to come.
Quoting the letter further, “what society lacks is not God but true direction.” What direction would that be if we don’t have some guide to show us the right direction for ourselves and society as a whole?
The letter says that in the name of God, blood is still being spilled. No; correctly worded, in the name of God, we are trying to stop the spilling of innocent blood as in abortions and stop the horrific violence that is now taking place when God is thrown out of society and our school systems.
Just to show that Christians are still “free thinkers,” I will end with a quote of my own from Bishop Fulton Sheen that I think sums this up. “Many people believe in the way they live rather than live the way they believe.”
Peter Pinette
Woodland
Park land an amazing gift
I am a small business owner in Aroostook County who supports the idea of a new national park in Northern Maine. As a business owner, I understand the need to seize opportunities for growth and development. Elliotsville Plantation, Inc.’s proposal to donate their land to become a national park and national recreation area is such an opportunity.
Though I haven’t had a pleasure of visiting Elliotsville Plantation, Inc.’s land, my husband, Henry, has fished on the East Branch of the Penobscot for many years. He tells me that Grand Pitch (falls on the northern portion of the river) is beautiful. He was very pleased when EPI bought the land, because they stand to manage the land for all to enjoy. He continued to fish the river after their purchase.
I encourage others to view this proposal as a real opportunity for Maine, as I do. I hope that Maine’s congressional delegation will lead the efforts to accept this amazing gift.
Joyce Transue
Houlton
School bus safety
It’s happened again. On Wednesday, Dec. 3, in Knoxville, Tennessee, another school bus accident that our daily news media informs us is not a too uncommon mishap.
This time, three dead (two children). Such a shame.
When we will learn? School bus drivers must adhere to the laws of their state. Too often we see these drivers exceeding the state speed limit, not stopping for stop signs (cruising through them), and sometimes observing careless and reckless driving.
Their job is the safe delivery of their cargo. It is tantamount. Their thoughts, while driving, should center on this and not their thinking of appointments and dates set for that day.
Why does this happen? I see their mistakes in driving quite often while I am out on the roads. Their concentration and acceptance of the laws must be 100 percent compliance. Nothing else can be accepted.
Ron Ferri
Franklin
Elf innocence
In response to Alex Steed’s Dec. 5 column,”No Elf on the Shelf,” he simply spouted off about something he knows nothing about. Had Steed taken the time to watch the “Elf on the Shelf” movie, he would have a totally different, healthy, non-ranting attitude and understanding of such an innocent Christmas tradition. It is about the magic of Christmas and Christmas spirit, not about “spying” and “threatening.”
Our children have enjoyed the Elf on the Shelf tradition we started in our home for years. Maybe the difference is that we as parents took the time to watch the movie with our children and read the book. Our kids can be seen talking to “Snowflake,” and leaving her notes and pictures to bring back to Santa on her nightly trips back to the North Pole.
Steed is choosing to portray the Elf on the Shelf as a “spy” and “creepy” — even going so far as to bring up wikileaks and Edward Snowden in his column. Seriously?
Steed sounds like a paranoid, misinformed man with a computer.
Tina Rice
Bangor