Just wondering

Dear Editor,

My name is Jan Whitener and I have an account at the Benton bank and I would like to know if Jimmy Goddard is going to walk away scott free or is he going to be arrested?

Jan Whitener

More reaction to Hood

Mayor Hood,

News arrived yesterday of your prophetic statement on the authenticity of Senator Barack Obama's status as a Christian: You reportedly said "...I don't feel that he's a Christian, per se..." 

In that one statement, now reverberating around the nation, Mayor Hood, you've brought distinction to Copperhill, Tennessee as a place where a politician occupying it's highest position of trust and responsibility has altered a bedrock concept of Christian faith from a belief in 'things not seen' to a belief in 'things not felt.'  The general acceptance of Christian principles are intellectually and spiritually based on belief in that original bedrock concept.

Mayor Hood, if your doubt about Senator Obama's authenticity as a Christian has credence, then Christians would have to abandon their belief in that original bedrock concept and follow your guidance. In brief, your new standard of a belief in 'things not felt' is based on an empirical concept--feelings, experience--which is antithetical to a belief in 'things not seen' which is based on the notion of faith. Your statement was actually a grave insult to religious dogma and obviously--I assume--an unintended consequence of an imprecise, thoughtless statement. If you intended your statement to find favor in secular circles, then you were probably right on target--congratulation. Contrarily however in religious communities, your comments were probably deemed incredible, uninspired, ungodly and incorrect--congratulations again.  Even someone like myself, without portfolio per se in the religious community, could discern an assault upon an important religious concept.

Mayor Hood, if your doubt about Senator Obama's authenticity as a Christian has credence, then in general, thinking people would have to assume that you possess some intuitive or papal skills at divining who is or is not a Christian. Is this a pre-requisite of your high office as Mayor?  Are the people of Copperhill comfortable with your role in making pronouncements about anyone's authenticity as a Christian?

Mayor Hood, the world knows how you feel about Senator Obama's Christianity. Tell us please, what are we to feel about your authenticity as a Christian?

Mike Whack
Charleston, SC 

Support appreciated

Dear Editor,

I would like to thank my supporters, friends, and family for their encouragement and diligence throughout this year’s election. Many people went out of their way to vote, despite high gas prices and a slowing economy. I want to say thank you to those people because their support is greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed being in the community and talking to people about their perception of Polk County’s education system and how we can work together to make improvements. I am very excited to have the opportunity to help implement some changes and improve an already excellent school system.

Your support is greatly appreciated,
Russ Swafford

Please reconsider

Dear Editor:

Over the last few years there have been a number of reports in the Polk County News about the progress of the Three Star program for this county.  We recently had the opportunity to review the Three Star plan and reports from the committees involved and were impressed with the scope of the plan and its implications for the future of Polk County.  So it was with dismay and surprise that the county commission recently voted to reject participation in the Three Star program.  It appears that there is a reluctance to change from the status quo.  Change is coming to Polk County.  In fact, many changes have already occurred in terms of development and the influx of new residents.   The question for this county remains, not WILL change occur, but HOW we choose to bring it about in an orderly and responsible manner.  We strongly urge the county commission to reconsider their position and embrace full participation in the Three Star program.

Concerned citizens,
Marie and Frank Haas
Ocoee

You made me sad

Dear Mayor Hood,

I saw what you said about Senator Obama's faith on CNN.  I quote, "This is just speaking for myself. And I'm not speaking for the city of Copperhill. I mean, my personal opinion is, I don't feel that he's a Christian, per se."  I appreciate that you did not want your comments to be construed as an official statement of your town's position on this issue.  However, as mayor of Copperhill, TN, when you go on national television and question the faith of a Senator and candidate for President of the United States, the nature of your position as an elected official undoubtedly influences the perceptions of your constituents and - no matter how inadvertently - impugns the integrity of the Senator.  This was most obvious when Copperhill residents were told that Senator Obama was a Christian and they would not believe it (one even made the ridiculous statement that "Barack Hussein Obama just doesn't sound an Anglo-Saxon name to me.")  As mayor, you are in a unique position to lead your constituents in the effort to judge candidates based on the issues and to not participate in character assassination.  As an elected official, I would assume that you would appreciate having this same courtesy extended to yourself (how do I know you are really a Christian?)  You, however, chose to embrace the false, encourage the ignorant, and promote the scurrilous. 

I grew up in Appalachia and have lived in the South my entire life.  I have to say that your words and the words of your constituents made me sad.  It made me realize that our nation's most noble ideals of freedom from religious persecution and the equality of man are far from being realized.   I hope that one day you and your town will be able to respect and honor a person's professed religious faith - instead of being naive enough to allow anonymous email accusations to influence your politics.

Sincerely,

Adam Foster
Charleston, SC