I also wanted to thank him for allowing previously benign or disinterested people, who simply want to live their lives in freedom, to see what fanaticism aspires to.
I have very bad news for Husseini: Freedom, of everything from religion to association to speech, will not allow itself to be defeated by fanaticism. We are a remarkably diverse people. We have completely different views on religion, politics, culture, etc. However, the one unifying characteristic of America's citizens is the jealous guarding of our freedoms.
Are there aspects of our government and culture I disagree with? Without a doubt. I am an absolutist on what I consider truth, and it's based entirely upon biblical precepts and my faith in Christ.
Having said that, I consider believers of all faiths or no faith my allies if they are also guardians of freedom. We may be on different teams in terms of beliefs, and I may try to win you over to "my side" or vice versa, but like siblings who fight each other incessantly, we will band together against a common danger. And those who would impose a theocracy, however farfetched it may seem, are indeed a danger to free people everywhere.
I'd like to end with another note of thanks, this one to S.V. Yumlu. Mr. Yumlu, I'm certain you've gathered by now that we will probably never agree on matters religious. However, by your repudiation of Husseini's comments, it's apparent you understand just how wonderful it is to live free.
Doug Walker
Hagerstown
Seasons are a comfort
To the editor:
Here I am again, sitting under the trees I love. Such glorious weather, sun bright and warm. Birds chirping their thanks. Fall is about two-thirds gone and looking over the shoulder of winter. Brr.
Even so, the seasons are a blessing with their personal touches of beauty and tasks that benefit us. In my later years I can see how the seasons relate to our lives. Spring time is birth. Fed, nourished, cared for by mother. Learning to walk, talk, think, question, laugh and cry as the growing pains sit in.
Witnessing the beautiful and the not so beautiful. Hearing the sounds of mother and Mother Nature. Sometimes music to our ears, sometimes a little off key. We are off to a good start and before you know it spring kisses us good-bye as she opens the door to summer. Ah, summer, when important choices, decisions and commitments are made in lifestyles, spouses, work fields, religion, education, relationships and kinds of entertainment.
In our failures and successes we find our places in the pattern of life. Time marches on. Fall comes in to contribute too and further our maturity as we enjoy the fruits of our labor, giving, loving, services, our good choices. So quickly we find ourselves at a little slower pace, but we keep on working, doing what is necessary. We have lived, loved and learned.
One day we find ourselves being escorted to our most comfortable recliner by Mr. Winter himself. Here we rest and doze and have dreams of the events that brought tears and laughter, pain and pleasure all to our advantage. We can be proud of accomplishments resulting from weathered storms as we inherit peace of mind. All this calls for a great big "Thank You," to my God who gave me life and has guided me through it.
Frances Moats
Hagerstown
Dogs weren't a problem
To the editor:
Once more I feel obligated to put my two cents' worth in about Tim Rowland's column, which happens to be my favorite. I am writing about the Oct. 2 column in which the issue of the two dogs at Bester School is addressed by Rowland.
Yep, I have a dog. I also have five cats, and I'm much more a cat person than a dog person. That's not the issue, though. This whole problem of the two dogs, Bonnie and Clyde, reminds me of other situations where someone has made some gripe about a piece of literature and faster than you can say "To Kill a Mockingbird," that book is gone from shelves or worse yet, might never be put on the shelves of schools at all.
