Freedom of religion
extends to all faiths
It’s almost difficult to know how to respond to the ignorance and religious bigotry on display in some recent anti-Muslim letters to the editor of this newspaper. But I will try.
There are millions — yes, millions — of Muslims in this country who are patriotic American citizens, and also many Muslims right here in Morgantown. Muslims are our neighbors, teachers, restaurant and other business owners, nurses, physicians, soccer coaches, you name it. It makes me sad to see them so insulted by ignorant, untrue statements about their religion, which preaches peace and tolerance.
Do we hate all Christians because of the few extremists who call themselves Christian but preach hatred against Jews or other minorities, or engage in acts of violent extremism? We do not.
It is likewise wrong to hate all Muslims, the vast majority of whom are peace-loving people just like the rest of us, just trying to live their lives, care for their children, and serve their communities, including Morgantown.
Our ancestors came here seeking freedom from religious tyranny and enshrined freedom of religion in our Constitution. But freedom of religion doesn’t mean what some letter writers seem to think. Freedom of religion applies equally to all religions, including Islam.
It fails me to see how extending these freedoms to all Americans — whether Christian, Jew, Muslim or any other faith — poses any kind of threat to our country. On the contrary, I believe our diversity and our embrace of religious and cultural differences are what have made us great.
Finally, to point out an inaccuracy in a recent letter, U.S. presidents must be born in the U.S., but that rule does not apply to members of Congress. Some letter writers are the ones who need to educate themselves, I am afraid.
Susan Case
Morgantown
We deserve more from
Congress than inquiries
Our country is at a deadlock due to the feuds between the speaker of the House and the president. Every day there seems to be a threat of impeachment or words from the speaker to put the leader of the free world in jail.
There seems to be a constant power struggle between the legislative and executive branches of government that will continue until after the 2020 election.
This separation, instead of equal power, will affect the American people well into the year 2021 regardless of who is elected. Decisions made in Congress on keeping our country solvent in 2019 and 2020 could very well affect the life and death of many people. There is no doubt that a Congress controlled by the Democrats will continue to hinder the president for the rest of his term.
The American people are watching members of Congress for obstructing the passage of bills and laws that affect the lives of the very constituents they swore to protect. If the House speaker is so intent on passing only laws that she likes, why doesn’t she throw her hat into the ring and run for president alongside many of her colleagues?
America and the people deserve more from our Congress than another 19 months of investigations and personal attacks.
William R. Woodall
Waldorf, Md.
Leadership is more than
an email or a phone call
The workplace for many is “place-less” these days. The best illustration may be help desk folks. When you call them, you have no clue where they are though their accents offer a clue. “Hello, my name is Madhavaditya, but you can call me Bob.”
Salespeople often do business solely via phone or computer. In some instances, our medical conditions can be checked from wherever we are.
Why would our governor be any different? Mainly because for one thing, technology doesn’t fit all. So far, electronics cannot accurately transmit the nuances of just plain being in another’s presence in real time. Which means more to you — talking to a friend face-to-face, a social media posting or a phone call?
Leadership is more than an email, conference call or video appearance. Citizens want to rest assured the head person is actually leading. So far, to much of West Virginia, that means being in Charleston, going to work daily the same way many of us do. Paying attention to the job we were hired to do and focusing on those we serve.
Lew McDaniel
Morgantown
