Editor, Times-Union: The ICLU and ACLU may succeed in changing the Constitution, calendar and clock. They may stop store clerks from wishing customers a Merry Christmas and stop the state legislature from praying to Jesus Christ, but they cannot change the fact that Christ was born. It was an event that changed world history. It was an event that began the measure of time (BC [Before Christ]; AD, Anno Domini [the year of our Lord]).
Are these people ignorant of the fact that before the birth of Christ there was no Christmas? Or that before His resurrection from the dead, 33 years later, there had been no Easter?
If the misguided ICLU and ACLU set about to destroy all references to Christmas they have their work cut out for them in the Christmas literature and music.
Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," in addition to the title, contains the word "Christmas" 30 times. Somehow, Scrooge being visited by the Ghost of Holiday Past doesn't do it for me. What will they do with "Twelve Days of Christmas"? "The Littlest Angel", a favorite of kids, only uses the C word three times but it tells the whole nativity story. Then there's "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" to be reckoned with, and "The Nutcracker" which starts out "It was Christmas Eve ..." But we are safe with "Little Drummer Boy" - no use of the C word here. Just the complete telling of the story of Christ's birth from the announcement by Gabriel to Mary, to angels, starry host, shepherds, wise men, star, manger, Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. Children who read the communist-sanitized version won't see the dastardly word "Christmas," but they'll get the whole story of Christ's birth and the reason for Christmas. Or maybe not.
I suppose in their evil effort to do away with Christianity entirely, the folks in pursuit of our civil "liberties" will get rid of Baby Jesus and the Man on the cross who died to forgive sin. (Yes, even the sin of treason against the Christ who brought Christmas into existence.) But listen, you "civil liberties" people - there's a catch. You cannot change the fact that Christ was born or that He was born to die for the sins of the whole world (yours included). I know you think I'm wrong and you are right, but just suppose that I am right and you are wrong. Hell isn't a "liberty" I'm willing to take a chance on. So Merry Christmas (and happy Easter). He is alive and He is in charge of the universe even if you don't believe it. Some day you'll see.
I have been waiting on pins and needles for the article which ran front page in the Times-Union on Wednesday about "Rocky" William Goshert announcing his candidacy to be our next sheriff. I, like many others in town, knew well over a year ago that William "Rocky" Goshert was to be put in the sheriff's seat until Aaron Rovenstine can legally resume office again in 4 years. This time around should be very interesting to watch with both William and Sam running on the GOP ticket.
Hmm, let's see who gets the job, a qualified Sam or an unqualified William. I'm not saying that William is an unqualified cop, we all know that he is a qualified cop. I am just once again saying that without any doubt, the most qualified candidate for the office is Sam. I hope the voters vote for the most qualified this time around instead of continuing the cycle of putting a GOP/Rovenstine pick in the sheriff's seat to keep it warm until Aaron can resume the office.
I really do hope that Sam is our next sheriff and that he will even run again in four years and defeat Aaron. It would be very nice to have him stay on as a qualified second-term sheriff. I know that my bubble of hope will be broken by our local GOP, but it sure is nice to dream of an honest and proper election of the most qualified candidate.
I do need to say that officer Goshert stating that he is no politician is just one more reason that proves he is not a qualified candidate. In our county, the sheriff must be very political. I say these things because as it is said, the truth shall set you free.
