March 28, 2024

Letters 01-18-2016

Jan. 15, 2016

Last Word on Muslims

This is the last response I’ll write on Islam in America, as I feel the subject has become repetitive at this point.

I’ve been to Dearborn and I have a few close friends there. It’s a lovely place, not the theocratic hellhole that many are trying to smear it as.

But putting personal experience aside, the fact that Muslim immigrants assimilate more easily in the United States than in Europe because of our melting-pot culture is borne out by the data – like it or not. I know it can be appealing to have a boogeyman and a scapegoat – I understand that urge – but it doesn’t change reality and it isn’t a very reasonable or compassionate way to view things.

Footnote: Implying that people with an ideology known for its anti-intellectualism have a monopoly on stupidity may not be conducive to rational discourse, but neither is implying that people with a religion known for its extremist elements have a monopoly on terrorism (especially when they demonstrably don’t). To disapprove of the former while approving of the latter is hypocritical and inconsistent.

J.L. Emerson, Petoskey

Please Explain, Rep. Inman

Will Rogers once said, "I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts."

Well, the facts coming out of Lansing in the closing minutes of last year’s legislative session would have given him plenty of material. Perhaps our local politician, Rep. Inman, could enlighten his constituents on his support for SB 571. This bill, the last passed for the year, essentially allows Political Action Committee to double their contributions while banning schools, libraries and other groups from commenting on local referendums 60 days prior to the election. And they say money doesn’t buy influence.

Did Rep. Inman fail to read the bill prior to voting "aye," as many of its supporters claim – after all it was late at night -- or does he support limiting the public’s right to be informed on local issues? Either way, all of his constituents, not just his supporters, have a right to know. Otherwise, as Mr. Rogers also stated, "When ignorance gets started, it knows no bounds."

Craig Rosenberg, Traverse City

Snow Thanks

Very impressed, TC. After mucho snow Saturday night, my family and I enjoyed a lovely early Sunday morning walk downtown on already cleared sidewalks. We also saw many neighbors and business owners getting it done with their shovels. It takes a village. Thanks, Traverse City.

Ty Schmidt, Traverse City

Sympathies

We are heading into the eighth year of Barak Obama’s presidency. Nothing surprises me any longer about conservative Republicans’ inability to deal with facts. You have my sympathies, Mr. Tuttle. Their clown show would be entertaining were it not that they are putting our country so at risk.

John M. Gerty, Jr., Williamsburg

Useless Words

So, ah, it seems that some words have been suggested to not be essential to the English language. Well, I mean, can’t a person, like, you know, use those unessential words if they so desire? The simple fact is, I’m thinking, it should be fine to use these words. The honest truth is that most everyone does it at least some of the time. You know, ah, we all add stuff for emphasis when we talk or write, more often when we talk. Okay so, basically, if the meaning comes through, let people continue to embellish their speech or writing, yes?

Roy Tassava, Indian River

Trending

Mysterious Michigan Reads

We can’t think of a better way to spend spring break than with a great book. Northern Express asked local bookseller... Read More >>

Heirloom Recipes With Heritage, History, and Nostalgia

Before we begin to stash our coats and put winter behind us, let us remember what years past have taught us…fake sp... Read More >>

A Floral Family Affair

In the quaint downtown of Elk Rapids sits Golden Hill Farms, a shop where the artistry of floristry meets the rustic charm... Read More >>

A Look at Originalism

O Tempora O Mores! Oh the times, oh the culture. This Latin phrase relates to both the 18th century and our current times.... Read More >>