Volstead Lounge
Don't Take Offense at the Goings-On of Others
RECEIVED Tue., Dec. 27, 2005
Dear Editor,
It is increasingly clear that "behavior" legislation in this country has leaned dramatically toward accommodating the "needs of the few," essentially to promote "political correctness." This is disastrous policy. Is this what freedom is supposed to be about? What happened to basic courtesy and tolerance for others?
Responding to Russell Kirkman's letter (“Postmarks,” Dec. 23), I would submit that fault can be found everywhere a few people take offense to the goings-on of others that don't conform to their own "perfect world" expectations. Better watch out, because legislation or the ACLU is soon on its way to put a stop to it.
"Holiday Tree"? Give me a break – three out of four Americans are Christian and are following an American tradition. "Intelligent Design"? Did we really need the Supreme Court to rule on the stupidity of that one? Can't print a T-shirt with the outline of a fish on it for your high school class because it's a religious symbol? Come on.
And we'd better not help our fellow man, or share, or tell the truth, or have any thoughts at all about anyone, especially your neighbor! – because those cultural aspects all have a foundation in some religion. We'd also better outlaw the practice of serving fish in virtually every restaurant in America on Fridays and accommodating every other religious/cultural behavior!
If you truly dig down into the origins of virtually any tradition or act or symbolism in America, you'll find a basis for it in one religion or another. So does that mean we need to restrict them all? If so, we'd all better just stand still. Better yet, if you don't like a tradition or cultural practice, go somewhere else.
It is increasingly clear that "behavior" legislation in this country has leaned dramatically toward accommodating the "needs of the few," essentially to promote "political correctness." This is disastrous policy. Is this what freedom is supposed to be about? What happened to basic courtesy and tolerance for others?
Responding to Russell Kirkman's letter (“Postmarks,” Dec. 23), I would submit that fault can be found everywhere a few people take offense to the goings-on of others that don't conform to their own "perfect world" expectations. Better watch out, because legislation or the ACLU is soon on its way to put a stop to it.
"Holiday Tree"? Give me a break – three out of four Americans are Christian and are following an American tradition. "Intelligent Design"? Did we really need the Supreme Court to rule on the stupidity of that one? Can't print a T-shirt with the outline of a fish on it for your high school class because it's a religious symbol? Come on.
And we'd better not help our fellow man, or share, or tell the truth, or have any thoughts at all about anyone, especially your neighbor! – because those cultural aspects all have a foundation in some religion. We'd also better outlaw the practice of serving fish in virtually every restaurant in America on Fridays and accommodating every other religious/cultural behavior!
If you truly dig down into the origins of virtually any tradition or act or symbolism in America, you'll find a basis for it in one religion or another. So does that mean we need to restrict them all? If so, we'd all better just stand still. Better yet, if you don't like a tradition or cultural practice, go somewhere else.
Peter Lunsford
