From December 13, 1989. – JDW
Something’s been bothering me. If it’s “The Private Pain of Kitty Dukakis,” what was her anguish doing on the front cover of People magazine?
Something else. I actually read – several times – the complete text of President Bush’s Thanksgiving Day proclamation. I know, I know, that was a few weeks ago, but it was such a strange document. I can’t put it out of my mind.
More than twenty (20) percent of American children live below the poverty line, and George is asking us to give thanks for “the prosperity with which we have been blessed.” Tell that to the babies going hungry. Three million of our citizens are sleeping in subways and parks and abandoned cars, and Poppy is calling upon us to “gather together in our homes… to affirm the many blessings God has bestowed upon us.”
And speaking of our Creator, Mr. Bush invokes the Almighty’s name thirty-six (36) times, despite our Constitutional protection separating state and church. Talk about taking the Lord’s name in vain. Talk, as George should know, is cheap. Read my lips. Solutions come a little dearer.
Beware of a Defense Secretary bearing gifts. There is no truth to the rumor that, due to the end of the Cold War, the Pentagon is being reduced to a triangle. Dick Cheney, in a patently pre-preemptive move, has suggested cuts in the military budget that amount to maybe, tops, five percent (5%) per year over the next three years.
Be still my little peace-dividend pickin’ heart.
While we may praise the Almighty for being Number One – with a bullet – in defense expenditures. America ranks sixteenth in infant mortality. 16th!
While no one spends more on nuclear reactors and military bases, twenty (20) million adults in this country are illiterate, and thirty-seven (37) million without health insurance.
37,000,000 and growing.
I have faith we can.
I pray to God we can do better.
The next week.
A Letter to the Editor.
“SLAP IN THE FACE FOR WELCH”
Jack, you make me sick. What is wrong with giving thanks for what we have? If you don’t like President Bush invoking his free speech by saying our ‘Almighty’s’ name 36 times in his Thanksgiving speech, then move to East Berlin, Hungary, Romania or Russia. Why do you only get free speech?
I see you did great in history. The separation of church and state at the beginning our country was so that the King, his appointee or any of our politicians would never get the government involved in religion but it is obvious by our constitution that God was always supposed to be involved in our government.
You slight President Bush for using the Lord’s name in vain. Welch, you have done the ‘Almighty’ the ultimate slap in the face.
As far as the 20 million illiterate adults: blame that on the National Education Association (NEA) and the liberal school boards that put more emphasis on the New Age beliefs rather than teaching Reading.
Jack, you only want to express your free speech by criticizing. Where are your solutions?
Barbara C. Walbridge
