May 05, 2008 04:00 am
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&letterheadReunion scheduled
TO THE EDITOR: This letter is to serve as an invitation to the Altona Central Alumni and Friends Annual Class Reunion to be held July 19 at the Rainbow Wedding and Banquet Hall in Altona.
If you would like a registration form sent to you please call me at 236-7289 and I will get one out to you.
Marie Boulrice
President
&letterheadVandals recognized
TO THE EDITOR: Congratulations on the brilliant move to recognize a graffiti artist with a color photo on page A3 of yesterday's paper, under the heading of illegal art, no less.
This is sure to discourage others looking for attention as vandals.
Mason Duprey
Plattsburgh
&letterheadDispute continues
TO THE EDITOR: In response to Brian Curry's letter:
How many people, Brian, do you think knew Jefferson attended church services at the seat of federal government only two days after writing "a wall of separation of church and state?" Yet, you try and discredit this fact by one person's characterization of the church. Did you read the other first-hand accounts, Brian?
You insist "separation" is the Framers intent. Have you ever read the debates by the framers regarding the First Amendment? "Separation" is never mentioned. However, Madison does define the "establishment of religion" and I quote "He (Madison) believed that the people feared one sect (i.e., denomination) might obtain a pre-eminence or two combine together and "establish a religion" to which they would compel others to conform." (This is at http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage on page 757-759.) This is the very clause in the First Amendment where legislative judges in 1947 placed "separation."
Does Madison's definition remotely resemble today's definition? No. Yet you insist "separation" is the framers intent. Are you kidding me, Brian?
You could never construe Madison's definition as "You can't pray in public. It's unconstitutional," but this is exactly how the left uses "separation" and calls it the intent of the founders. And you consider the religious ignorant? Try looking in the mirror.
Please explain, Brian, why Congress would request George Washington to proclaim a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving the very day they finished the First Amendment, if "separation" was implicit in that amendment.
And what did the proclamation state, "It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits and humbly to implore his protection and favor?" Does that just scream "separation of church and state," Brian? This is at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/z?c110:H.RES.888
Jason Ellis
Champlain
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