Santa Claus wars
Not affiliated with any particular religion and embracing all the good things of all religions, cultures and customs (we made latkes for Hanukkah and researched why the food is representative of the holiday), I must note that the practice of bringing in a tree or other evergreenery dates back to pagan times. The tree in the house was to remind us that springtime would come again.
May I remind you that the lights and festivities at this time of year also date back to the pagan practices of old? And maybe we should just celebrate everything without getting our panties in a bunch? I’ll bet there have been no wars fought over the belief in Santa Claus!
Kate Tuck
Bangor
Wrong to back down
I was applauding Bangor High School for standing by its policy of making all students and staff feel welcome by limiting the display of one holiday (Christmas) over others. I was disheartened when they backed down under public pressure.
As I recall from the original Bangor Daily News article, the teacher mentioned that the students seemed to enjoy the “Hello Kitty” tree and no one complained. While I’m sure many students did enjoy the tree, I doubt that any students who did not enjoy the tree would complain. Who wants to ruin everybody’s fun?
Recently I was talking to some young people about their holiday traditions. One person (who happened to be Hindu) said that they felt absolutely overwhelmed and confused by Christmas. All of the celebrating and merriment left them feeling different and alone.
I am aware the Bangor High School has a Civil Rights Team. Perhaps this is an issue they could address in their school.
Carol Rosinski
Ellsworth
Words to live by
We have some people who think the greatest threat to children’s welfare is living in poverty, but I disagree. I was born in 1935 when America was in the middle of the Great Depression. Jobs were very hard to find, and there were many families living poverty, way more than today.
Parents would deprive themselves for the welfare of their children. Parents weren’t overprotective, and they didn’t need money to give their children love and affection, teach them personal responsibility and to teach the golden rule.
So people should understand it’s not a lack of money that’s a threat to children’s welfare, but the breakup of the family. Children growing up in a one-parent home face many problems, including hate, anger, drugs and violence. Some end up with mental health problems, and some will say life in not worth living and commit suicide.
We have too many men and women who think that life is all about themselves. To be a better husband and father or better wife and mother, pay close attention to these words. These words will make a marriage stronger and the children will benefit. Also, couples should keep away in-laws who meddle in their marriages.
Woman came out of a man’s rib, not his feet to be walked on nor from his head to be superior, but from the side to be equal, under the arm to be protected and next to the heart to be loved. Think about these words and try very hard to live by them.
Joseph Riitano Sr.
Sangerville
Speaking for the voiceless
Mature, old-growth forests and clean, undisturbed rivers and wetlands are the balm, the golden ticket to survival for much of Maine’s diverse wildlife! Hesitations and stipulations hindering a national monument designation for a wonderfully rich and precious parcel in the heart of the Maine woods dishonors Maine, its residents and its wildlife.
I speak for those who cannot always be heard — the salmon, the black bear, the leopard frog. I speak for lichen on a 200-year-old tree. For Canada lynx, fishers, brook trout. For rare Maine plants, common cattails, red-winged blackbirds, warblers and eagles. For woodpeckers and hummingbirds, beaver, muskrats, chipmunks, salamanders, snapping turtles, and many more. I speak for the silver maple trees, the basswoods, the spruce, the white pine.
Listen! My friends need honoring. They need room to grow strong, bear young, grow old, and die naturally.
Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and Rep.Bruce Poliquin should not hinder but enable the provision of this land. We and our children — and their children — can come and visit Maine’s wilderness here, forever. People from other lands, who have lost their way, can see the majesty of Katahdin from this place, and they can find peace.
Mature, old-growth forests and clean, undisturbed rivers and wetlands are the balm, the golden ticket to survival for man! That is the truth.
Sally C. Jones
Bangor