Letters
Letters to the editor, Jan. 12
TBO.com
Published: January 12, 2012
Religion and public officePublished: January 12, 2012
In his opinion piece in Sunday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Baylor University president and former special prosecutor Ken Starr asked whether he could vote for a Mormon. He pointed out that our Constitution, the oldest democratic constitution now in effect, specifically prohibited religion as a test for holding public office.
"In fashioning this remarkably enduring document, the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia made it absolutely clear that no religious test should ever be imposed to hold office. The Founders also made clear that religious dissenters (such as the Quakers) should not be compelled to take an oath if doing so would be a violation of conscience. Building on those twin pillars of tolerance, the Supreme Court at its finest moments has likewise vigorously defended the right of all persons to participate in the democratic process, including holding office, without the burden of religious tests or qualifications."
As far as it goes, this is powerful stuff, but the Constitution only protects the right to seek and hold public office.
That, my friends, is a significant protection, but not the only criteria you and I should use in the coming elections at any level, or any in the future.
While religion may not be used as a test of fitness for seeking office, we surely may use it as a test of our own vote for any candidate. Anyone can run, provided he or she meets the legal requirements, but when we get in that little booth with that paper and special pencil to mark those boxes, it's up to us to decide how the candidate's religious beliefs (or lack of them) might affect his/her actions on our behalf should they win the election.
So you see it's still up to us to inform ourselves, to challenge our beliefs, and most importantly, vote.
See you at the polls!
GB Leatherwood
Spring Hill
The end of golden Americana
I saw that the company that makes Twinkies has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
America has reached its lowest depth and greatest failure if it loses the mainstay of the American diet – the twin golden sponge cakes cream filled snack treat – Twinkies. Twinkies are the only food product that can withstand a nuclear attack and remain as fresh as on the day it was baked and filled. It is an energy packed survival kit necessity.
Where are our patriotic protesters? The tea party folks should wake up and take to the streets to demand the protection of this golden Americana. Here is one product that truly needs a governmental bailout.
How will our glasses of USDA milk feel without its companion pair of Twinkies next to it?
Who do we blame for the loss of the Twinkies? It must be those liberals who got religion and restrained themselves from this eternal food and who gave a black eye to this diet busting snack.
Support Gov. Rick Scott in his campaign to keep Florida children illiterate so that our kids cannot read the ingredients on the Twinkies' package and acquire those liberal ideas.
Do let the liberals take away our freedom to keep America big and beautiful. Save our Twinkies!
Fred Peters
Brooksville
National division
American brothers and sisters, the political climate in this country is tearing it apart.
I honestly believe that both Republicans and Democrats are great Americans, and are great for voicing their opinions. As a veteran it makes me feel good to see Americans using the writes that were given to them by the Constitution.
We just need to recognize that just because we disagree with someone politically does not mean the person is a bad person in their real life. I have been reading letters to the editor for some time now, and I see a lot of tearing each other down.
This is not the American way. Citizens please come together, countries like China want us to divide, so they can conquer us. God Bless you all, and god bless the United States of America.
Cecil. Davis
Brooksville