March 29, 2024

Letters 06-24-2013

June 23, 2013

Email your letter to: info@northernexpress.com

Please keep your letter under 300 words (one page).

Only one letter per reader in a two month period will be accepted. may be edited for length or to correct factual errors. Letters must be signed to be considered for print and a phone number is required for verification.

Garage sale ripoffs

It is early in the garage sale season and we have already been at three sales where things have been stolen in the Torch Lake area.

A friend also said that someone pilfered all of his wife’s costume jewelry from their sale. It is pathetic. In one situation an elderly couple put a bunch of low-priced items on top of a bunch of antique fishing lures in a box and walked out with them right under the owner’s nose. Very brazen. Another guy said that he would have preferred giving his possessions away rather than getting ripped off.

Both of these gentlemen were sick at heart because they were victimized by thieves. That said, I just want to inform the local citizens who are planning to have a sale to be vigilant. I suggest keeping jewelry by the pay station and not let people put things in boxes. Also, check the pockets of clothing and purses, etc., where smaller items can be stashed.

Enlist friends and family to keep an eye on customers. Don’t be distracted by one person while their partner in crime robs you blind.

I am disheartened that I even am writing this letter, but that is the sorry state of our country. People are desperate but that does not give them the right to take something that doesn’t belong to them. Stealing is wrong and I hope that those people who are responsible see this and feel guilty.

Wendy Beal - Central Lake

Yahweh’s views on gays

This letter is in regards to Stephen Tuttle’s recent article on the Boy Scouts of America’s new pro-gay policy. I’m not here to attack Mr. Tuttle’s position, nor am I here to defend mine. I am however here to relay Yahweh God’s position from His Holy Word.

It does not matter that all of the other denominations have compromised their beliefs. Even if the lone Baptists compromised their position, it still would not change God’s position. (Hebrews 13:8).

If Tuttle has a problem with what the Bible clearly says about being gay, then he should take it up with God the author, not with the Boy Scouts, Baptists, or anyone else who does not agree with him. (Leviticus 18:22, 29, Deuteronomy 23:17, I Kings 14:24, 15:12, 22:46, II Kings 23:7, Romans 1:26, 27, 32, I Corinthians 5:11-13, 6:9, 10, I Timothy 1:10, Jude 7).

Tuttle wrote that some Christians have chosen a path of exclusion and intolerance. In reality, the so-called Christians that accept inclusion and tolerance of anyone are the real hypocrites. (Jeremiah 51:45, II Corinthians 6:17, Revelation 18:4) Hypocrites just like the leadership of the Boy Scouts of America.

The main reason that most Christian parents enrolled their children in the Boy Scouts is because they had Christian morals. The same can be said about the Christian churches that sponsored Scout troops. What’s truly ironic is trying to convince anyone with Biblical morals that a scout can be morally straight and gay at the same time. (Isaiah 55:8, 9). What would Jesus say or do about this new pro-gay policy? "Jesus wept." (John 11:35).

Gordon Lee Dean, Troop 10 Benzonia

The "˜ethereal axman’

On a mid 19th century morning in Northern Michigan. A band of brothers opened their thickly calloused hands to clasp the sweat and blood stained hickey handles of their doublebit axes-swung them to their shoulders and marched into Michigan’s mist shrouded forest.

One hundred and sixty years later riding on the Northern Express. A different kind of axman has come to destroy the north. Unlike the double-bit ax wielding iron men of yesteryear this ethereal axman with exquisite precision wields the septic metaphysics of homosexualism by poising his soft hands above a keyboard and commanding his zealous fingers to strike blow after blow to the base of one of the great spiritual truths that sustains an integral part of the innermost being of a Christian boy.

Replete in the axman’s apologia is the systematic subversion of the textual meanings of (the Bible).

Furthermore, as the axman finessed the now all too familiar talking points of the homosexual lobby, he concomitantly affixes the Scarlet letter B (bigot) or I (Intolerant) to any person or organization that dares to contradict the dogma of the homosexual community.

Axman: I await your defense of a "JUST" society’s right to abnegate a Christian parent’s First Amendment Rights.

Steve Redder - Petoskey

Step in right direction

As an avid reader, I always seek out Stephen Tuttle’s weekly commentary. His column re: gays in the Boy Scouts of America (June 10 issue) was an interesting read.

I was raised in a family involved in both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for decades, with my parents being troop leaders.

Due to our Scouting involvement, we travelled the country, visiting historic sites and meeting a wide variety of people. I am proud to be involved in Girl Scouts for over four decades, serving our Scouting council in multiple capacities, including president.

We are appalled the Boy Scouts feel obligated to discriminate against gay individuals, excluding openly gay adult leaders. Gay leaders have been involved since the organization’s inception.

To acknowledge and accept gay Scouts is a step in the right direction. To discriminate against these volunteer leaders is a step backwards.

With this prevalent negative environment regarding gays in leadership position, one questions the impact on these Scouts, and their evolving world view of tolerance, inclusivity and respect. Boy Scouts of America, you are so wrong and narrow minded on this issue. Time to embrace the 21st century!

Carol Tompkins-Parker - via email

GOP junk mail

One of my least favorite activities is to truck down to the bottom of our hill and sort through the junk mail. This time it was different. I received an official Republican Party document, registered in my name with a bar coded number, and instructions "do not destroy" in large, bold, red printing.

I had been selected to represent area voters by participating in the official Republican Party Platform Survey. My first inclination was to dispose of it, but my curiosity got the best of me and I opened it. I wondered why it was mailed to me, as I am not a party member. I decided to be cooperative and complete the survey with a sincere, truthful response.

Some of the comments in the enclosed letter from Reince Priebus set the tone of the platform questionnaire. "... Democrats callous disregard for the interests of American people," "...implement radical left wing policies," "... dependence on imported fuels," "...increased spending and tax hikes," yada, yada & yada .

On to the survey of loaded questions with a few examples following: "...Obama won by attacking Republicans and lying," "... tax policies pushed by Obama," "...decrease military spending," "Obama ignores federal law," etc, etc, & etc. One question asks "Do you believe our party makes an effort to address issues of concern to women?" I had to answer "no" to that one.

In the comment section I wrote "Republicans represent, in my opinion, the party of No, a party that is hijacked by the Tea Party, that is looking for scandals and not governing, that determines women’s issues by old white men and clerics, that believes in fundamentalism without reason, and embraces ignorance of science." I was happy to participate in this survey.

W.D. Bushey - Elmwood Township

Corrections --

Last week’s article about home brewing incorrectly stated that there was nowhere to purchase beer-making supplies in the area until recently. Actually, Diversions in downtown TC has been offering beer and wine-making supplies for many years and has a large selection for making vintages, ales and beers.

-- DJ Sean Finster Finnegan of The BOB FM interviewed students from TC High School’s Black & Gold newspaper about a recent controversy and deserves credit for covering their concerns.

-- We screwed up and got Sixto Rodriguez’s name wrong. There’s no "˜q’ in Rodriguez.

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