Uses intimidation

By: Letters To the editor | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: May 19, 2009

The lawsuit between the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State may be resolved soon ("Last filings in prayer suit expected Monday," May 5). Although the ACLU claims that sectarian prayer at legislative meetings violates the Constitution, the Supreme Court did not rule that sectarian references were illegal. The court did say that such prayers must not be exploited to advance or disparage a particular faith.

What the ACLU and Americans United lack in sound legal arguments, they make up for with intimidation. In a letter to the commissioners, Americans United said that the board's prayer policy was unconstitutional. It warned that failure to comply with the organization's demands "could result in costly litigation over a divisive issue, when the Board cannot hope to succeed in light of Wynne."

It's not surprising therefore that many cash-strapped communities concede to such demands. A Midway Town Council member told the Winston-Salem Journal that she wanted to avoid a lawsuit over their prayer policy because it would bankrupt the small town.

In an Americans United lawsuit against Valley Forge Christian College in Pennsylvania, the Supreme Court dismissed the case for lack of standing. The court then reminded Americans United that "Their claim that the government has violated the Establishment Clause does not provide a special license to roam the country in search of governmental wrongdoing and to reveal their discoveries in federal court."

Apparently, Americans United and the ACLU need to be reminded again.

BRUCE BEDINGER

Winston-Salem

Exemplary service

I am writing this letter in support of Rep. Virginia Foxx, but here is the kicker: I am a "blue dog" Democrat who often disagrees with the congresswoman on many social issues. That being said, she and her staff have always taken the time to respond to my e-mails, phone calls and occasional requests for personal meetings.

Earlier this month I was in our nation's capital for a pharmacy government affairs meeting. While I met with the staff people of a number of members of Congress, Virginia Foxx and her legislative assistant, Erica Shrader, took the time to hear my concerns in person. In fact, they honored an additional request to move our scheduled meeting up a couple of hours so I could squeeze in an additional congressional visit.

When it comes to responding to constituent needs and concerns, my experience with Foxx and her staff has been exemplary. My relationship initially developed with her office when the Republicans were the majority party, and I could have easily been dismissed as being "on the other team." Instead, she has always looked beyond my party affiliation to do what was best for my pharmacy and my patients when possible. Further, my visit to the Capitol has given me a greater appreciation of the hard work that most members of Congress do.

Whether our representatives are Republican or Democrat, they deserve a certain amount of respect for the work they do on our behalf.

DAVE MARLEY

CEO/PRESIDENT, MARLEY DRUG, INC.

Winston-Salem

Do without

I have been reading the Journal, which I enjoy very much, for more than 60 years. I think that we could do without cartoons such as the one that appeared in the May 8 edition by David Fitzsimmons with the heading, Female Supreme Court nominees acceptable to the right. It certainly is not funny and verges on the vulgar.

EVERETTE H. MAYES

Wilkesboro

Lower the price

If the UNC School of the Arts is not using a professional orchestra for this year's production of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Ballet ("UNCSA students will staff ‘Nutcracker' orchestra," May 8), ticket prices should be reduced to acknowledge a total student production. These prices should be similar to other all-student productions.

GEORGIA M. WALLACE

Winston-Salem