Letters to the editor

Posted: August 23, 2009 at 5:51 a.m.

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Dissent is not an evil thing

Concerning the Sunday, Aug. 16 article, "Locals lock lips publicly to protest homosexual discrimination," I found the quote of Jonathan Cox to be inconsistent and insincere. He states, "It is important for people to be able to express themselves without fear of judgment. That's why we're here today." In the beginning of the article Dirk Charlson is quoted as making a similar statement, adding that "there aren't many places in this country where two guys can hold hands or give each other a kiss on the cheek without being stared at or made fun of."

Let me first state that I completely agree with Cox and Charlson that people ought to be able to express themselves. Every American citizen should cherish that right. Further, it is inappropriate and unkind for anyone to respond to differences by "making fun" of a person.

However, the objectives and arguments of Cox and Charlson, as well as their movement, are contradictory and self-defeating. If "everyone" should be able to express themselves without fear of judgment, then anyone who disapproves of that expression also has a right to "express" disapproval without fear of judgment. But that is not what Cox and Charlson are advocating. They want to express themselves openly while denying the right of anyone who believes differently from expressing disapproval to their lifestyle.

In a free country, freedom of expression also comes with the right of dissenting views and even condemnation of what is believed to be immoral behavior. Homosexuals already have the right to "express themselves." Having the "kissin" was not what that was about. Instead, as Cox said, what they want is this freedom "without fear of judgment."

Sorry, but freedom of expression alsocomes with the freedom to express dissent to your expression. Homosexuals certainly have no problem with "expressing judgment" against Christians who believe the Bible teaches that their lifestyle is sinful (Leviticus 18:22; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Why do we Christians not have the same right as the homosexual? The present-day homosexual and postmodern movements are trying to create a society in which they can condemn everyone who disagrees with their beliefs and lifestyles while at the same time spout a doctrine of "you are not allowed to judge me or stare at me."

Well, my friend (and I mean that sincerely), I will fight for your right to "express yourself," but to be consistent you must also accept my right to express dissent to your lifestyle, and more importantly, urge you to give up your lifestyle and be obedient to Jesus Christ our Savior.

Berry Kercheville Fayetteville Open season on taxpayers

Well, I see the Fayetteville School Board is pulling out all the stops in their effort to get the 4.9 millage increase passed. First, they announced that they will be "targeting" certain groups, such as us empty nesters and the apathetic youth of our community. Next, they got a couple of well-known heavy hitters, Missy Kincaid and Fred Vorsanger, to convince us that adding additional tax to our real estate for the rest of our lives is a good thing and a great investment opportunity. Last but not least, they have hired a Little Rock firm (with private money) to "advise them" as they promote their campaign.

They boast of developing special strategies to address each of the target groups. Suddenly I feel like a buck deer on theopening day of gun season. The over-65 crowd, who have their taxes frozen, and the college students, who own no property within the school district, should be easy targets, as a "yes" vote costs them nothing. I'm sure many of them will be taken in the first week or two of the season while the rest of the constituency will try to hide out in a thicket until Sept. 15. You can bet your bottom dollar that there will be photos in the paper when they capture a "trophy" voter.

I'm sure the Markham Group is working on a clever new jingle as part of the advertising campaign. I can't wait to hear Fred & Missy singing and dancing to the tune, "Just a spoonful of laxative makes the millage go down." I can't help but wonder where the private money is coming from to pay the Markham Group. Instead of paying a fortune for advice, why don't they just donate the money to the schools?

So far I have not heard many people speaking out against this increase other than myself and Tx Trumbo. One of my teachers in Fayetteville Public Schools was Mrs. Trumbo (his aunt, actually). She encouraged her students to think for themselves and apply common sense and logic when making important decisions. That is wise advice for any occasion, especially this one.

If you own property in the Fayetteville School District, look around you. See what Springdale, Bentonville, and Rogers have all done with lower millage rates. What does that tell you? Are you going to let a committee of slick talkers and their out-of-town advertising team sweep you off your feet and happily gobble down that spoonful of laxative they're trying to feed you?

Think about it. The season is open. They are the hunters. We are the prey.

Russell Gayer Goshen

Opinion, Pages 4 on 08/23/2009

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