Season’s greetings
Tis the season for peace on Earth, good will toward men. Yet I see so many rude comments from people everywhere claiming it’s “my holiday,” so here’s a brief history lesson. According to scholars who have studied the Bible, Jesus most likely was born in September, if you take into account the position of the stars and the weather.
The Jews light the Menorah and have the Festival of Lights to remember the miracle from God of oil for their lamps lasting eight days. God said, “Honor thy mother and thy father,” and Jesus did; his parents were Jewish. The first Christmas trees were Pagan symbols to their God “Mother Earth” to celebrate the winter solstice.
So Christians in celebrating their own miracle of Jesus’ birth, borrowed the lighting of the Advent candles from the Jews and the Christmas tree from the Pagans and incorporated these things into their celebration. Therefore we are all a part of this wonderful season.
Kate Stein
Bangor
Duped by the Democrats
After this past election and considering the rhetoric of the Democratic Party concerning the “fiscal cliff,” it is evident that besides a driver’s license, voters should have to pass a competency test on economics and math in order to vote.
The Democrats passed an irresponsible spending plan that put the country some $5 billion in debt. If you tax the rich, a stupid mantra born of stupidity — the amount of dollars is far less than the $5 billion. Put another way, we have a 55-gallon drum of debt. The taxing the rich scheme may contribute a quart.
But here is the truth. That quart has a tremendous amount of economic value. If you are a 501(c)3 nonprofit, you depend on the quart for survival. If you are selling products, you depend on that quart. If you take that quart away, you have seriously damaged our economy causing more debt to accrue and further exacerbating the problem.
If we are to have a new tax rate, perhaps registered Democrats should be surcharged an additional 10 percent. If you are a liberal Democrat, then the tax surcharge should be 20 percent. If you are a socialist Democrat (unions), then a 30-percent surcharge. We do not need the bloated government levels we have. The rich pay too much for too little.
Robert Holland
Rockland
Solution: Close loopholes
Now that the elections are over, members of Congress must work together to address the looming “fiscal cliff.” If Congress can’t agree on how to balance the budget, this series of tax increases and funding cuts could cripple our economy.
One practical solution to this problem that both parties can agree on is to close corporate tax loopholes. Every year countless numbers of corporations manage to hide their profits in tax havens, paying only a fraction of their taxes, while the national debt rises. In fact, the amount of revenue lost each year to these loopholes is estimated at $150 billion — money that could be spent on infrastructure, education or reducing the national debt.
Every business, from large multinational giants to ordinary Main Street small businesses, benefits from our roads, education system and security. Yet large corporations are able to use loopholes in the tax code to skip out on paying for the American infrastructure that helps them do business, while responsible small businesses and ordinary taxpayers are left to pony up the difference.
Members of both parties need to come together to close these loopholes, ensuring that large corporations join citizens and small businesses in contributing to the structures that help them do business. Congress can no longer afford partisan gridlock as the deadline for the “fiscal cliff” approaches.
Nicole Karatzas
Portland
Marriage and Christians
Contrary to what has been widely reported, the people of Maine did not approve same-sex marriage.
The 53 percent of the people who voted in Maine approved same-sex marriage. Big difference. Regardless of the outcome, same-sex marriage is still wrong.
God’s laws trump man’s laws. We are not haters. We are Christians.
A recent letter to the BDN by Joe Haroutunian can be summed up in one word: hogwash. In another recent letter by James B. Wagner, he bemoans the fact that an earlier OpEd in the BDN by Debra Wagner opposing same-sex marriage was given “editorial prominence.”
I say,”it’s about time!” She was speaking as a Christian.
John Henderson
Bridgewater
Constitution and conspiracy
The first job of any conspiracy is to deny there is any conspiracy and if “outed” to create many false conspiracy theories to distract people from the real one. Maybe this is why it is increasingly popular to trash conspiracy theories while watching the U.S. Constitution get trampled by Congress and by the Federal Reserve’s bailouts.
Chairman Ben Bernanke admitted three years ago that “the Federal Reserve is not part of the U.S. government.” As the world increasingly loses godly government and embraces satanic principles, these global bankers drift us closer to a tyrannical one-world government.
This quote from global banker David Rockefeller’s book Memoirs (p. 405) says it all: “Some even believe we are part of a secret cabal working against the best interests of the U. S., characterizing my family and me as ‘internationalists’ and of conspiring with others around the world to build a more integrated global political and economic structure — one world, if you will. If that’s the charge, I stand guilty, and am proud of it.” Why is this man not jailed for treason?
I fear that in the propaganda/gag-order known as “political correctness,” we are like the mouse being swallowed by the snake, who interprets the mouse’s struggles as “hate speech,” and we as the mouse are beginning to see it all from the snake’s point of view.
Let’s fight for our Constitution or lose it forever.
Robert Bruce Acheson
Dixfield
Taxes and hot potatoes
In response to the article about Five Guys restaurant using Idaho potatoes instead of Maine potatoes: Someone seriously thinks that potatoes are so important that we need to bother our senators and representatives because they aren’t using Maine potatoes?
Don’t they think there are other things to worry about, such as the economy or the fact that most people’s taxes are going to go up at the beginning of the year? People wonder why businesses don’t want to come to Maine; maybe this is one reason. Is this why there is no longer Red Lobster restaurants in Maine, because they weren’t using Maine lobster?
Jeff Hoxie
Holden
Robert Holland:
Obama won and Democrats took back the State House – get over it.
Tax the rich – at the rates under Clinton (when the economy boomed) and tax capital gains as income.
Lift the income cap on Social Security payroll taxes and raise Medicare taxes for top wage earners to 3%.
And perhaps we should tax republicans who supported the Bush Billionaire Tax Cuts and the Bush War of Lies in Iraq – that took us from budget surpluses to massive GOP deficits.
The Fiscal Cliff was created by Tea Party republicans that threatened to throw the nation back into recession by defaulting on our debt.
These terrorists are again holding the nation’s economy hostage to protect their millionaire/billionaire puppet masters.
Never ever vote republican.
Yessah
I’m always amazed at Republicans like Holland announcing their superior intellect and then demonstrating how unglued from factual reality they are. He won’t even acknowledge that the Clinton tax rates produced an annual budget surplus and compares accumulated debt with the annual revenues generated by tax increases, a completely inappropriate metric.
John Henderson, I’m getting ♥ civil marriage ♥ for X-Mas, what is Santa bringing you? More sour grapes?
You should ask Santa for some books on critical thinking skills, so you can make some sort of sense in your rhetoric.
When you say “the people of Maine did not approve same-sex marriage” and then immediately afterward say “53 percent of the people who voted in Maine approved same-sex marriage”, it’s clear you suffer from severe cognitive dissonance.
Or maybe you just need to learn better math? Because 53% is a clear majority, which means the people of Maine did indeed approve of same-sex marriage.
I hope you have a beautiful wedding and marriage.
Celebrate, knowing that Mainers are happy for you. Ignore the old grumps.
Yes, they did, and isnt it grand!!
Fellow posters. The vote is over. We no longer have to feed the sicl twisted angry minds of John Henderson and those who think like him. The people of Maine of spoken and God has spoken in favor of love. There is nothing more to say. Let’s keep with the tone of our campaign and stay posiive. God Bless you Mr Henderson. I prayed for you today.
D. Holland. In other words only certain people should be allowed to vote based on ……????
I think you have it backwards the rich pay too little for oodles in return.
“We are not haters. We are Christians.”
From what I’ve seen, your type of ‘christianity’ is synonymous with hating. I can’t remember a single comment or post or political action from right wing religious conservatives that would indicate loving kindness, optimism, joy or happiness about much of anything in this world.
However, I have seen a lot of protesting of religious “rights”, sanctimonious preventing of services, name calling, especially of those least able to defend themselves, cutting of aid, in-your-face religiosity, screeching over holiday decorations, aggressive patriotism, and denying the humanity of others.
Tell us, when is it that you are “Christian”?
People like him do Christianity a disservice. What a small little world he inhabits. He can have it.
You and Sally seem to be of the same opinion. I don’t understand however your comment on how “people like him do Christianity a disservice”. By “him” I presume you are referring to the letter writer John Henderson.
It doesn’t sound like you’ve been reading my posts lately. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time taking abuse from posters, no doubt filled with hate on account of my views on gay marriage. I made the choice, with very few exceptions, either to not respond to the most absurd remarks and to answer truthfully and kindly otherwise.
Let me remind you, kindness, optimism, joy or happiness, etc. is a two way street. By this I don’t mean anybody ought to be gloating or vindictive (I’m seeing a lot of that going on these past few days especially). I simply mean they should not expect to be treated well after being abusive. Far too many of the remarks from posters are downright personal, intended to shut out opposing views.
The level of intolerance from a group of people demanding tolerance for their views is incredible. I won’t go into a long winded diatribe denouncing same sex couples. It’s their life to live as they choose. It is my belief that they can have equal rights with heterosexual couples without redefining “marriage”. Yes, here in Maine they have won that battle and we’ll redefine the word here, but guess what, they didn’t gain equal rights. It’s not my place to judge their lifestyle and I do not do so. It is my right to state my opinion and I do do so. Funny thing is, I’ll get blasted by them because my opinion doesn’t agree with theirs.
Having an opinion is one thing- attempting to prevent and/or justify fellow Americans from being treated equally under the laws- simply because of who they love is another. Your rights end where someone else’s rights begin.
How has your marriage been redefined? It hasn’t and won’t. How has your life or anyone else’s life been impacted by same sex marriage? It hasn’t and won’t. Who’s business is it if anyone decides they want to get married same sex or not ? No one’s- other than the people getting married. Did anyone get to vote on your marriage or subsequent divorce ? If there is anything ‘redefining traditional marriage’ it’s traditional divorce…at a whopping 50% fail rate. THAT is what has made ‘traditional marriage’ rather laughable. ‘One man and one woman’ says the guy who’s been married 3 times to 3 different women….maybe he should add ‘at at time’ to that tired old mantra.
Look either we are ALL AMERICANS or we’re not- and if same sex couples aren’t as American as any other American..how is it they still have to pay taxes and follow all the other laws that everyone else has to follow ? I suppose same sex couples should be ‘grateful’ they are ‘allowed’ to drive or vote or to own a house or serve and die in our military……gee they’re good enough for all that other stuff…just not quite American enough to get married is that it? Time to get pulled kicking and screaming into the 21st century. OY.
The prior poster obviously has different views than you do on homosexuality. I feel like he does: it’s not a moral right. Homosexual orientation and behavior is not genetic in origin, at least no more than alcoholism. It is a learned response and a chosen behavior. All attempts in the past decades to show otherwise have proven futile. Yet, with this in mind, those who engage in homosexual behavior are left alone by most of us only because we believe it’s their own personal decision to make. Civil marriage however in not a moral right. It’s a state endorsement of certain relationships to ensure as much as possible within reason that children are not separated from their own mom and dad. We feel extending that endorsement to homosexual relationships can only encourage and promote homosexuality and further deny children of a mom and a dad.
When did you choose to be straight ? And does that mean you could choose to be gay ? And who in their right mind chooses to be an alcoholic ? Back up your statement with FACTS and cite your references ….except you can’t because there are no scientific empirically based studies that support your claim. You offer nothing more than anecdotal claims which in the SCIENTIFIC world are laughable and useless but in the RELIGIOUS world is ALL they have and use. Look up the work GENETIC PREDISPOSITION and see what it says. You have a different opinion about gay people- good for you that said having an opinion does not in itself make it a FACT let along a SCIENTIFIC FACT or relevant or reality.
Her opinions about gay people are going the way of the dinosaurs…thankfully.
Intentionally or not, I think you are obscuring the issues. Sexual orientation is certainly learned behavior. Notice however I did not say it was chosen. There is a big difference here.
As to scientific empirical evidence, I would suggest you read “MY genes Made Me Do it: Homosexuality and the scientific evidence by Whitehead, Neil & Briar. It is well-researched, and data used therein is totally footnoted. Neil is a research scientist with a Ph.D. in biochemistry. You can purchase a printed copy of the book online: whiteh@paradise.net.nz.
For other pertinent readings see “Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth by Satinover, Jeffrey, M.D. and “What is Marriage?” by Girgis, Sherif, Robert P. George, & Ryan T. Anderson. Supposedly there is another book that recently made its debut (or is about to). It’s titled, “Man and Woman: A Defense.”
I’m well aquainted with Neil Whitehead. He’s is a Christian writer who has spoken at NARTH many times- hardly someone who does impartial and unbiased work and who regularly promotes evidence against biological motivations for transgenderism and homosexuality. He’s a well know ‘junk scientist’ who promotes that homosexuality is a mental illness and moral issue. In short he’s a quack. NARTH is a horrible group who believes in reparative therapy- which neither APA (American Psychiatric or Psychological Associations condone using or recognize as an actual therapy) Next.
Jeffrey Satinover’s book was published in 1996 by the evangelical Christian publisher Baker Books. A quote from Dr. Satinover ‘…homosexual behavior and its implications for public policy can only be decided conclusively on moral grounds, and moral grounds will ultimately mean religious grounds..’ Ummm MORAL grounds? So much for SCIENTIFIC empirically based genetic evidence. Next.
Girgis, Sherif, Robert P. George, & Ryan T. Anderson argue that as a MORAL reality, marriage is the union of a man and a woman who make a permanent and exclusive commitment to each other of the type that is naturally fulfilled by bearing and rearing children together, and renewed by acts that constitute the behavioral part of the process of reproduction. Two of them work in political science departments and the other in a philosophy department- hardly university departments known for scientifically biologically based studies. Next.
So to recap what do all of these books and authors have in common? Hmmmmmmmm let’s see…..what could it be ??
1. All these people begin with a religious base which weighs heavily in all of their conclusions.
2. They all cite Moral issues re: sexual orientation. Moral issues are NOT and never have been SCIENTIFIC.
3. They all are overtly against homosexuality and strangely enough all their research supports their anti same sex orientation views.
He’s the deal. Any REAL scientist poses a question when trying to determine an scientific outcome. It’s called the ‘scientific method’ The scientist posing the question (hypothesis) should not have a pre-existing bias with regard to what they may WANT the outcome to their question to be- as that bias may influence said outcome of scientific process. The scientist is to be OBJECTIVE and has to have their outcomes reviewed by peers and replicated by others in order to be considered valid.
Again offering an opinion on some thing is one thing attempting to shlep it off as FACT is something else entirely. There are just as many unbiased scientists who have completed research that support sexual orientation being predetermined, static and genetic. Research from reputable secular universities who have no agenda re: religion or morals as neither have anything to do with the scientific method and derived outcomes.
Have you yourself read the references? Or are you merely repeating what others have said? It sounds to me like you have not read them and are repeating.
Let me refer to a study mentioned in the first citation dealing with a very large group of identical twins, the largest of its kind. It was found that when one of a pair of identical twins is gay the other is more often than not straight. In fact in only one case out of nine was the other twin gay. As one who has taken a course in statistical analysis, I understand fully what this means: Since identical twins share the same genes, it’s impossible to make a case that somehow genes determine or influence homosexual orientation. So the only thing that is left for those who don’t like these results is for them to conduct similar studies or attack the character of the researchers themselves. So far those results have stood the test. I doubt they will ever be debunked in spite of repeated efforts. The chances of that happening are no greater than the chances of reviving a pharaoh who has been dead over three thousand years.
The homosexual people I know are head and shoulders above some who post here (from the sounds of them and their excluding and intolerant views.) I would prefer the company of the gay people I know anytime. Intelligent, creative, generous and very decent people. They absolutely are entitled (yes, entitled and deserving) of any benefits and protections other couples enjoy (and who have not had to fight for them.)
I’m not shutting out any opposing views. I asked Mr. Henderson a question and invited him to a discussion. He said he was a “Christian”. I wanted to know what behavior he considers ‘Christian” .
I know . It was very plain. Well, at least for open minded people!
You stated – correct me if I am wrong – that Mr. Henderson’s type of Christianity is synonymous to hatred. I don’t know for certain what his type of Christianity is, so I can’t really judge if his brand of religious practice is indeed synonymous to hatred. You can’t ignore the fact however most serious Christians condemn homosexuality while recognizing the prohibition against condemning people themselves. They don’t feel compelled to condemned or even dislike anyone simply on account of their behaviors. For that reason that type of Christian practice is not motivated by hatred of others.
“…most serious Christians condemn homosexuality….”
Nope, the serious Christians I know do not condemn homosexuality and they voted for SSM.
You don’t come across as “kindly” as you seem to think. You are good at putting little digs in ….oh, but couching them in a “kindly” manner. You seem to think you are a lot nicer than many others find you.
Yes, sallyjones and some of us referred to Mr Henderson’s letter. And no, contrary to your rigid views…..many people are not at all offended by the Christmas tree or holiday tree. They just are not fixated on one faith. They want to include all people of faith and others, and make them feel it is their tree as well. It is not hard to grasp at all. No one is “offended” as you like to think. Oh, that’s right….maybe you. You should not project. People think differently.
Christmas and the Christmas Tree is inclusive. No one is being put down by these, and everyone is invited to celebrate as they see fit. You must keep in mind however they are of religious significance to most people. But some people like Governor Chafee of Rhode Island want to make them secular in the name of tolerance. Every year secularists throughout the country attempt to prevent nativity scenes from being erected in public, claiming they are offensive. The fact of the matter is is that they are not in themselves offensive. They feel offended because they choose to be offended. Kowtowing to them for that reason not right. The public is everyone’s domain. Most Jews who celebrate Christmas do so in their own way. Many of them in the spirit of generosity are gracious enough to greet others with “Merry Christmas” as they don’t have a problem with Christmas being a religious day of observation. Besides, they have their own traditions and symbols to celebrate with.
As to the “little digs”, please tell me what those are. I’ll say one thing in my defense: many posters have a habit of attributing statements to me that aren’t even mine, or quote me out of context. It’s very frustrating and disingenuous of them.
it’s been said before but bears repeating: being christian and being christ-like are all too often very different things.
John Henderson–yet another example of holier than thou Christians who have never come to terms with the nation’s separation of church/synagogue/mosque,etc. and state. As I’ve advised others with similar appalling ignorance of American history and the actual values of the Founding Fathers–and Mothers–take your faith to lands where the Taliban, for example, reigns and come to appreciate, if you ever could, what religious freedom is supposed to mean in the USA. Just recently NPR had a story about George Washington’s famous letter to the pioneering synagogue of Newport, RI, supporting their right to worship as American Jews. But then Washington hardly ranks in importance with your heroes, I suspect. Yet who gives you and yours the right to impose your ideological views on the rest of us? Did God give you a special dispensation to do so? “Show me the money,” my friend. Or else read a book like “American History for Dummies.”
K. Stein, N. Karatzas; good letters. J. Hoxie: no Red Lobster restaurants in ME because there’s too much local competition–coals to New Castle. The rest of the letter writers: way off base.
Then you follow those laws above civil law, John.
We’ll all come up with the bail money.
Time to stop sucking on sour grapes my friend… there’s much sweeter things to do in life.
I’m not bailing John out. He can sit and wait for god to raise his bail and spring him….so John will be indisposed and waiting for quite awhile I suspect.
Nicole: Closing “loopholes” does nothing to the taxes of those who specialize in avoiding taxes and have the pull and gall to do so. The only way, is the rate way, and it is the right way. Robert: Mathematics is fact based and the mathematics speak against your tired rhetoric.
Happy Hanukkah !
Robert Holland- The top 2% have seen their wealth explode by 300% in the last 20 years while the other 98% have seen their paychecks shrink. Your taxation plan fails the reality test. Private union membership is down to 7% in America. At the rate we are going, unions will be extinct in another ten years. You are going to need a new scape goat pretty soon. Perhaps you could start beating the drum for higher taxes on all the people who work for minimum wage. They are eating us up in food stamps, heat assistance, and “free” health care down at the emergency room.
Robert Holland . . ha . .you seem to have conveniently not mentioned the HORRIBLE damage done to our economy by “Dubbya”! Started two wars and put them on the U.S. credit card . . a prescription drug plan that was also put on the credit card.
Spending must be slowed . .no doubt . . and new sources of revenue must be on the table . . increased taxes for the very wealthy will be a reality.
Now . .turn off Fix News and go get some fresh air.
Mr. Henderson: “…same-sex marriage is still wrong.” Yes, sir, it is…to you, and a minority of voters.
Goodness Mr Hoxie…don’t you see that the Maine economy is exactly what your representatives are vying for here? While they often aren’t doing what they are supposed to do – representing their constituents – in this case, they are. 100%.
Mr. Holland – You lost. Get over it. That’s what you told Democrats two years ago.