Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2009

Letters 7/15

Case for Sotomayor

I am a non-traditional female student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale while managing my home and performing other duties, so I can admire and relate to this judge who rose up and took life by the horns to reach her current earned status. She is to be admired and honored by her peers and the people of America by confirming her as our new Supreme Court justice.

Not only will she bring her hard work ethic and keen mind to the position, but we will be showing the world that women and other cultures can bring valuable resources to the people of America and our judicial system.

If confirmed, Justice Sonia Sotomayor would bring more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice in 100 years, and more overall judicial experience than anyone confirmed for the court in the past 70 years. She has worked at almost every level of our judicial system as a prosecutor, litigator, trial court judge and appellate judge, yielding a depth of experience and a breadth of perspectives that will be invaluable, and is not currently represented, on our highest court.

Rebekah Hillerman

Chester

Man and wife only

To be gay or not to be gay is not the question. The question is whether, we, as a generation, are willing to pass this legacy of same-sex marriage down to our grandchildren and great grandchildren. I think not.

For mankind to move forward in some kind of same manner there are certain rules that must be followed. Way too much energy has been given to this issue.

If a person happens to be gay for whatever reason, I wish him or her a blessed life. The can commingle with their lovers just as we heterosexuals do. They can manufacture whatever rules they want in their sick world, but in the eyes of God, man, or any other deity, they should not be given the title of husband and husband, or, wife and wife. It is that simple.

My children have already been infected by their lifestyles and I'll be damned if my grandchildren will be subjected to the same.

Lou R. Davidson

Belleville

A bill to hate

Seems like our traitorous Sen. Dick Durbin has recently sponsored hate crime legislation. If this legislation goes through, it will allow the federal government to charge a person with a hate crime for any altercation with a minority, or a gay person, even if the person did not cause the altercation. This bill also names pedophiles as a "protected class."

This bill would make every disagreement, no matter how small, a federal hate crime. It would also apply to verbal confrontations. No more freedom of speech.

This is extremely dangerous legislation. This law deliberately excludes whites as a protected class of citizen, and is designed for the purpose of punishing whites for any defense against, or criticism of, any of the protected classes.

Durbin has consistently welcomed immigration from Third World countries, causing a burden to taxpayers. He also supports runaway illegal immigration. Now he sponsors hate crime legislation. Isn't it time we got rid of these worn out, tyrannical liberal Democrats who are destroying America?

Daniel Wayne

Columbia

Shop like a diva

I want to thank Main Street and Angela Massey for another great Diva Night. I have lived in Belleville much of my life but never visited many of the stores and restaurants I visited on Diva Night. It was a great chance to visit businesses that are closed during the time I am able to shop. I also had a wonderful dinner downtown.

Many of the businesses had fun, unique items I would never find at a mall.

Angela Massey is the star of downtown Belleville, keep it up. Thank you to the businesses that stayed open for our shopping pleasure.

Brenda McGarvey

Belleville

Not in public interest

In response to a report in the News-Democrat: Why is HUD giving more money to Madison County to use for public housing projects? The majority of those inhabiting public housing projects are unmarried women having illegitimate babies. What is the good reason for rewarding unmarried women for having illegitimate babies by providing them with subsidized public housing?

The babies are used to hustle welfare benefits and child support. Gang violence, drugs and serious crime are epidemic in communities where there are public housing projects.

Because of the cannibalistic-like violence in cities with public housing projects, it is not in the interest of society to finance them. The destructive effects of public housing projects are readily apparent in Alton, East St. Louis, Brooklyn, Madison, Venice and Granite City.

William R. Lambert

Edwardsville

Only God knows

Recently I read a letter from Charles Dragovich. I am again incredulous that some people are so delusional they think they can tell me what God is thinking and what mood he is in.

Another letter the same day quotes the catechism as saying the church is "the pillar and bulwark of the truth." To me it is what the church wants people to believe.

The same church that hides and shelters pedophiles is not who I want to tell me what the truth is or is not. I do just fine talking to my higher power without somebody with their hand out telling me what God really means.

We can all believe what we want without telling others what to believe. I believe I am done, for now.

Henry J. Himstedt Jr.

Belleville

Holiday finest

In these troubled times, patriotism is closer to more hearts than ever.

How proud I felt at the patriotic dressing of our city over our Independence Day weekend.

My thanks to Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors and their many agents for the energy, time and expense they extended in lining city streets with countless American flags. Truly a beautiful sight.

Bonny Litteken

Highland

A drive to buy American

I see on TV every day that America's car makers are losing their jobs. Then, I see our car makers and all the executives riding around in Toyotas, Nissans and BMWs.

If people are really sincere about helping our car industry survive, why can't Americans buy American cars?

Americans need to set the example and not be stupid. Since when have the Japanese done something for the good old USA? The largest portion of the Japanese carmakers' revenue goes back to Tokyo, Japan. Don't be fooled for a minute.

We are always talking about helping others. Well, charity starts at home -- by that I mean the USA. Take care of home first. If China won't stop North Korea, then we stop buying Chinese products.

Robert Kirkland Jr.

O'Fallon