Letters to the editor:
letters@metropulse.com

Correction
As some alert readers noted, WNOX radio studios in the latter 1950s, when the late singer/songwriter Don Gibson was a regular there, were located at Whittle Springs, which is a road and former resort near Fountain City, not Walker Springs, which is a road in West Knoxville. We knew that, too. Just wanted to see if you were paying attention.
Ahem —The Editors.

U.S. Constitution is Godless

In your editorial comment from the Nov. 13 issue, you state, "The whereases of the resolution, that He is mentioned in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and on U.S. currency are all true," is false. It is a lie repeated until believed true.

"He" only appears on U.S. currency, as the phrase, "In God We Trust," is indeed currently printed on U.S. paper money and stamped on coinage. "He" is not once mentioned in the United States Constitution, not once, not anywhere. Read it. Don't take my word for it.

Regarding the Declaration of Independence, it does contain these words, quoted directly (and not rearranged to suit my argument), "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. —That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,..."

In this context, "Creator," embraces and includes any and all gods, divine or otherwise As Christians specifically label their creator god, "God," any reading of the above must find against their claim to sole proprietorship of this nation. Plus, it explicitly states that government derives its power from the people, not a god.

"In God We Trust" was absent from paper money currency before 1956. That is 180 years of U.S. history that the phrase did not appear, all of our first 180 years—damn good evidence against what was alleged in the "God" resolution. The phrase did appear on some coins earlier, as did other sundry phrases, such as "Mind Your Business." This last is very appropriate today.

Chuck Janack
Knoxville

Put Up, or Shut Up!

Your [Nov. 13 Commentary] article reflected my sentiments as a real-lifer on the issue of abortion. Most anti-abortionists (let's just call it what it is) are hypocritical when it comes to the issue of women deciding their future.

They want to simplify the issue, yet do nothing to curb the root causes or assist women after they've made the decision to have children. Many protest abortion and also protest social programs that offer assistance to families in need. They don't want to invest time, money or compassion for others.

I found myself contemplating this very decision in college. I am a single parent with a 12-year-old, and I love him dearly. And I made the choice to have him. But it was my decision. I had the opportunity to decide would I have an abortion or would I take on the responsibilities, difficulties and joys of being a parent. It was my choice. And there were many lean and troubling times in the years to come and the support, for the most part, wasn't there.

Childcare, housing, food, work all became a pivotal struggle for me every day. I counted pennies to put gas in the car, I put up with unfair treatment at menial jobs because my managers knew I was a single parent and need the work "she'll deal with whatever we dish out." I bargained. I hustled.

Not once did any of the protestors and nay-sayers offer to pay a utility bill or buy clothes or medicine. Since it is such a great decision to "chose life", what do those people do in "their lives" to help women like me? Nothing.

It's not fair for anyone to impose their beliefs on anyone when it comes to not only giving birth but raising a child in the right way. If you aren't going to be there to personally support that child and that mother for the rest of your life, shut up!

Tiffany Huff
Knoxville

Commentary Confusing

Does Metro Pulse have an editorial position about the war in Iraq? You have been very quiet about it. And you would have done better to keep quiet than to publish the column by Glenn Reynolds on Nov. 6.

Denouncing us peace demonstrators as worse than gay bashers isn't much of a contribution to the debate. And it's weird that the column also tries to smear us as Communist dupes. Which are we, right wing nuts or pinkos?

I stopped marching for peace after the invasion, for three reasons. First, not to offend the GI's and their families. Second, there is nothing to march for. Bush broke the peace when he invaded, and until he is gone nothing can fix it. Third, this irrational column is only a first sign of the coming fury of recrimination in America.

We don't want to get between the mob and their proper quarry.

Joe Finucane
Knoxville