Ultimate solution
I was gratified to see the article, “Pope urges soul-searching on abuse,” (BDN, Dec. 21). What went wrong?
As a former Catholic, seminary student of 29 years, and having received the new birth according to Jesus nearly 37 years ago, and having read the books “Betrayal,” “A People Adrift” and “The Gospel According to Rome,” I believe the answer to Pope Benedict XVI’s questions can be found in the constitution of Christianity: the book of Romans, especially chapters 1-12.
A careful reading and reflection can remove the blinders from the “eyes” of the deceived so they can see the truth. If all (eternal life) begins with true repentance (Psalm 51) and new birth (John 3:3-7), then we can do what is found in Romans 12 — live the Christian life.
What we’ve seen here are the works of the enemy of our souls, the devil and the sin nature alive and well. There is unlimited power in God to enable all of us to live the super-abundant life He offers: John 10:10. The call is “whosoever will.”
Elmer Morin
Limestone
···
Grateful to Obama, Collins
President Barack Obama and Sen. Susan Collins deserve a big thank-you for their leadership in the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
DADT has been the only law in the U.S. that required people to be dishonest about their personal lives or face the possibility of being fired.
Since it became law in 1993, more than 14,000 gay and lesbian service members were discharged because of DADT. Nearly 1,000 who were discharged were specialists with vital mission critical skills, such as being Arabic linguists. Thus, DADT hurt military readiness and national security while putting American service members at risk.
Surveys showed that about 70 percent of Americans favored the repeal of DADT. The secretary of defense and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff testified that they supported the president’s decision to repeal DADT. A Pentagon survey showed that 70 percent of active duty troops believe a repeal of DADT will have either a positive effect or no effect on their ability to complete missions.
When President Truman integrated the armed forces, there were many whites who said that racial integration would hurt unit cohesion and military readiness. They were wrong. It is time to put prejudice behind us.
President Obama and Sen. Collins showed real courage as leaders on this important issue. Sen. Olympia Snowe, and Reps. Chellie Pingree and Mike Michaud also did the right thing with their votes to repeal DADT.
The Rev. Mark Worth
Penobscot
···
Justice for Greenie
I’m concerned that the death of Ralph Greenwald will not be dealt with in a fair and justified manner. Quite frankly, up to now, the way the whole matter has been handled stinks.
To say that ”Greenie” was responsible for his own death because he failed to put his hands out to protect himself is like saying, “When a loaded firearm is pointed at me and I fail to dodge the bullet I am responsible for my own death.”
The fact is a person pushed Greenie and he died as a result. The coroner ruled it a homicide. Did the coroner change his mind or is it still a homicide? If so, someone is responsible and should stand trial for the crime.
Guilt would be determined through a trial, not by a misled Grand Jury. So, there was confusion and conflicting testimony. That’s what a trial is for, to sort out the facts.
This was a good, hardworking man who befriended me and hundreds of others. To know Greenie was to love Greenie. He deserves a fair settlement in court. We who loved him deserve closure.
I’m not asking for revenge. I just want justice done and everyone’s respect for a good man.
James A. Leach
Bangor
···
Former soldier on DADT
Sharon Rideout’s recent letter to the editor shaming Maine’s senators for their support of repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” followed by her revelation of their method of getting elected by the rich seems contradictory. Everyone knows the top persons of wealth control politicians, especially Republican tax haters. For once, a couple of them said yes to a bill that was too long overdue. I’ve decided Ms. Rideout’s stance in opposing the repeal is driven by bigotry.
Most Americans are not opposed to this bill, including upper echelon military and members of the Armed Forces who polled at 70 percent in favor, contrary to Ms. Rideout’s statement to the contrary.
As a former soldier, I must remind Ms. Rideout that while slinking into a hole in the ground as thousands of enemy soldiers tried to kill us, I didn’t care if the guy beside me was gay or not. In fact, I served with a number of gay people, officers included. I bet Ms. Rideout didn’t.
Her insulting references to others, many of whom died in combat, as “WIMPS” living in a pigsty leads me to create a new title for puritans who live in the long ago: pimps. But for whom? The bill passed in spite of the “nay” party.
As a Korean War veteran, I don’t need to have values preached to me.
George McCann
Kenduskeag