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Show Page A9 tTfre imrg-3nhgpmf- Thanks to Maggie Letters to the Editor Do unto others,.. Dear Sam, I agree with Rocky Borresoa that the 9lh Circuits decision finding the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional is stupid. I predict the decision will be quickly reversed, probably by the same court. The god referred to therein is it could be anyone, (i e., one nation under Dick Cheney, Julia Roberts, Tiger Woods or god, whoever she may bel I think the main point of the Pledge is that we vow our allegiance to a unified nation, and so be it. Those discomforted by the Pledge need to either deal with it, or fake it. When the atmosphere is a bit too charged w ith Christian fervor, I just say - one nation under sod - which is more literally correct anyway. I diverge with Rocky on the implication that our society, much less our government or schools, needs to have a religious footing to be good. True religion is and must be personal. If people want to get together in a church or a hogan, or around a fife pit to magnify the strength of their belief, fine. But the slope thereafter becomes steep and slick very quickly, until you get to the point of modern day organized religion," comprised of equal parts connon-specifi- c, formity and coercion. More to the point, I would challenge anyone to name any force of our own making (the invention of an animal who knows hes going to die), that has been more deadly or destructive in human history than organized religion. The carnage continues today in Northern Ireetc. ad land, the Middle East, utwords You can bet that the last nauseam.) God is were suicide tered by the pilots on 911 in is same Great! Query whether that the god w hom w e supposedly trust. Such a state of affairs extant worldwide, every day is simply irreconcilable with the dogma of any organized religion. This is not to discount the amazing good me that people do in the name of religion. such the conduct simply represents though, innate compassion in the heart of every human, that which has yet to be poisoned by an unyielding belief in something unknowable. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. That wasnt on Moses top ten list or Joe Smiths golden plates. But hey, when you get right down to a code of conduct, to something worth believing in, what else do you need? Steve Russell Moab I, 20021. So often reporters lack the technical language to adequately present aviation information, however this article certainly avoids that potential problem. One item I might not have been clear on was aircraft specifications. While I believe the aircraft to be as comfortable as the current Beech 1900, the slower Caravan will increase flight time 10 minutes between Moab and Salt Lake City. Im sure the problem was in my explanation. We at Salmon Air appreciate the style and tone of your articles and your newspaper. Certainly worthy of being award winning". Stan DeLong Salmon Air In whomever we trust i 4 :$ It does not 6eem to have the poignancy or importance as In God We Trust. We can water down, or even whitewash our U.S. history; however, we should not ignore what our founding fathers had in mind. True historians know the history of God being mentioned in the Declaration of Independence, on our currency; as well as the addition of under God into the Pledge of Allegiance during the 1950s. Despite what most people think, there is no mention of separation of church and state in the Constitution. Instead, the first amendment specifically states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Anyone who has read the Federalist Papers knows that Jefferson and his contemporaries were not talking about a Godless society; instead, they were concerned that the United States not become under the rule of one religion, such as the Church of England. They were also concerned about the fact that each of the colonies had become separate religious entities. They envisioned a government where each and every person could live wherever they wanted, without reprisal for their religious differences. In the late 1600s through 1730, the Colonies had become 13 separate religious communities. They became unified when King George threatened their ability to worship, and taxation became an issue. The term Separation of Church and State came from Jeffersons Federalist Papers; not from the Constitution. Specifically, he stated that the Constitutions First Amendment had placed a line between states and churches. It did not imply a lack of belief in a deity, or a higher force; instead, the point was to prevent states from prescribing a certain religion, or a nationally prescribed religion. The Pledge of Allegiance has a rich history dating back to 1892. It has had revisions over the years, with the most recent being the introduction of under God in 1954. Its origin dates back to the quadricentennial celebration of Columbus Day in 1892, where the committee of state superintendents of education structured a nationwide public school program around a flag raising ceremony and a public flag 6alute: the Pledge of Allegiance. The pledge became an oath that unified the country during times of triumph, as well as despair. The addition of under God was added during the cold war, to distinguish the United States from other societies that did not recognize a higher power. The use of the term God simply states recognition of a higher power. It is not a secular description of who that being is. God is just a term that most reasonable people understand. The magnificence of the First Amendment is that when the Pledge is recited, or when a prayer is spoken, we have the choice of saying under God or Amen. Maybe our melting pot has emerged to the point where God is no longer relevant. We have people that do not believe in the Christian God; however, most believe in a higher power. Those that want to make this a mountain out of a molehill forget the most important part of the pledge; the part that comes after under God: ...indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all." As a believer in a higher being, I like the term: In God we trust. It has power, and a certain level of implied respect. We can always try being politically correct by stating In Whomever We Trust. It just doesnt sound the same, does it? Dave Condie Moab COPY made by Marjorie Wagner and Patrick Rippey, owners of the nursery located next to the future Willows site, who have petitioned against the project due to the criminal" neighbors who shortly will be taking up abode, as well as rap- ing and robbing anyone nearby. To accuse someone who is mentally challenged of being a criminal is akin to assuming that garbage collectors eat Cheerios for breakfast. According to Websters New Collegiate Dictionary, the first definition of crime is: an act or the commission of an act that is forbidden or the omission of a fyty that is commanded by public law and that makes the offender liable to punishment by that law. As far as I know, nobody is arrested or goes to jail for being mentally challenged. Websters Dictionary, definition number four of crime is: something reprehensible, foolish, or disgraceful. Examples: It is a crime to thir.k that everyone whose intellectual capacity is less than average will rape or rob me. It is a crime to pass judgment on and make accusations toward something I have not researched very well. It is criminal to be so intolerant of those different from me, especially when living in a small community, for it does nothing for me I at decrease my respectability. Sincerely, Michelle Wiley Moab Inn lubhy to cool off. Noticing my condition, she left her job to drive me to the mechanic. It is greatly appreciated and saved my day. Maggie, you are a good person w ho enriches the world! Thanks again. -- Jane Hill Moab Castle Valley Co.uments by Ron Drake A large number of people showed up at the LDS Church for the first of two informative meetings that are being conducted by the Castle Valley Fire Department. The meetings are intended to make residents more aware of the extreme fire danger that exists this year and what they can do to make their property safer in this high hazard fire environment in which we live. Fire Chief Floyd Stoughton covered topics such as the fire environment, examples of local fire behavior and creating an effective defensible space around your house. He also mentioned that how a house is designed, where it is built, materials used in its construction and landscape and access to the home all influence survivability during wildfire. Other topics, including how residents can help the fire department during a fire were addressed and the chief answered a lot of questions from the public that covered a wide variety of subjects. During the same time, the town council held an emergency In support of Willows project Dear Editor, I am writing in support of the city planning commission and board of adjustments approval of the Willows Project, a supported living center sponsored by the Interact Club that will house eight mentally challenged adults. Residents living in the facility will be afforded low cost housing that they may otherwise not qualify for and will be provided with professional staff to assist them in their living skills between half to full time, depending on funding available through grants. No resident of the Willows Project may have a history of violence (this includes rape). I am appreciative of the work that Interact has invested in the project and feel confident that it will provide those eligible with a rewarding living experience they may not receive otherwise. In the last year I have been present at two different meetings where a spokesperson from Interact made a presentation on what the Willows Project would entail. Neither presentation led me to believe that it would be a homeless shelter. All of the information I have related about the project here is sourced from those two meetings and a phone call I made to Interact after reading the June 26 article. I am quite disappointed by the headline that the article received, referring to the Willows Project as a homeless shelter, which it clearly is not. Secondly, I am addressing the statements Dear Editor, I want to express my special thanks to Maggie, behind the front desk of the Ramada Inn. This afternoon, she took time on her own initiative to drive me to Arches Repair Center where I was walking many blocks to pick up my car. Overheated, 1 stopped in the Ramada India-Pakista- Complimenting the coverage Editor, I would like to compliment Lisa Church for the accuracy of her article Idaho airline courts Grand County for Salt Lake route, T-- July 4, July 11, 2002 tit council meeting in which they voted in favor of a Stage 1 fire restriction order in Castle Valley. The order is the same as currently enforced by the State of Utah. It allows no open fires, no trash burning, no fireworks including sparklers, no smoking outside of home or vehicle except on a area cleared to mineral soil. The next and final meeting will be held this Saturday, July 1 3 at the LDS Church beginning at 9 a m. Even though 35 people attended the last session, there are many more in the valley that could use the valuable information that will be discussed this Saturday. three-foot-diamet- Fire Chief Floyd Stoughton (left) and fire district board member Doug Caylor is shown conducting a meeting on fire awareness at the LDS Church last week. Another meeting is planned for this Saturday, July 13 at 9 a.m. Tom Henry injured his back last week while doing some shoveling around his place and after a couple of days of bed rest his situation worsened After two days of intense pain with no signs of getting better, his wife Carolyn finally called for an ambulance Sunday afternoon about 3 p.m. The Castle Valley First Responders were on hand to help move him from his home to the ambulance where he was transported to Allen Memorial Hospital. He was diagnosed with having a damaged disc in his back, treated with painkillers and released later in the evening feeling a little better. He said he has had a history of back problems for the last 25 years but nothing this bad The Castle Valley Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-DaSaints would like to sponsor a community picnic on Saturday, July 20 in the hopefully cool La Sal Mountains. They would like to gather about 4 p.m. for games, conversation y or relaxation and begin eating at about 6 pm. The picnic will be at the Mason Springs Picnic Area. Take the Loop Road approximately two miles past turnoff Miner's then turn left to the picnic area The next monthly meeting of the Castle Valley Town Council will be Wednesday, July 17 beginning at 6.30 p m. at the LDS Church. They should have news on the results of the PCIFB grantloan that the town is requesting to build a community center. Mayor Bruce Keeler is attending the meeting in Richfield on Tuesday, July 16 Also attending the meeting is Fire Chief Floyd Stoughton and fire district board members Jim Smouse and Doug Caylor. They are there to represent the fire district in their request for a grant to build a fire substation on the community lot. They also have a grant request to another source to purchase a pumper truck that will be parked in the new firehouse. The results of that won't be known until later in the year Basm-Pinhoo- k Letters to the editor policy The does not necessarily endorse the opinions published in letters to the editor and guest editorials. The I welcomes opinions from its readers concerning any subject pertinent to Southeastern Utah. Letters should be to the point and must include the writer's name, address and telephone number. Letters may not be used to replace advertisements, or to list and thank sponsors or participants to a particular event. Letters to the editor will be not be accepted from any candidate who has filed for political office or from anyone writing in support of a filed candidate. Anything unsigned, of a libelous nature, or containing defamatory statements will not be considered for publication. Ail letters must be typed or legibly written, and be 400 words or less. Letters are subject to editing Mail to Letter to the Editor," P.O. Box 129, Moab, Utah, to edrtorOmoabbmes.com. The 84532. Deadline is Monday, 5 p.m. Letters may also be sent via may not accept letters from persons who write more frequently than once every kxjr weeks. Times-lndepende- nt T-- |