Not all comments are destructive
To the Editor:
I would like to take issue with the ministers' letter last week condemning the Your Turn column.
Not all of the comments have been destructive and hurtful and in fact, a few have offered insightful opinions. The column has provided a place for those who would never make a comment for fear of retaliation by an employer or are too timid to come forth with an opinion.
In an ideal community, every person would feel free to express themselves openly and have no repercussions based on their comments.
Some years back I wrote a letter suggesting that parents should be notified by the high school before their children were tested and recruited by the military at Marion High School. The idea was to allow parents to have some input with the student in regard to the decision of military service.
In the weeks after the publication of my letter I was the subject of several letters that questioned my patriotism and even suggested I leave the country.
Most people would not care to be subjected to the "kill the messenger" reaction that expression of an unpopular or controversial opinion can often engender, in my case I have confidence in my convictions and a very thick skin.
An anonymous comment will never carry the same weight as a signed one but let's not totally eliminate this avenue of expression but consider it for what it is.
The ministers' commentary on a community issue in the newspaper is a welcome thing and I would like to see more of it.
For example, it might be valuable to know what the group thinks about the problems associated with water quality at Marion Reservoir, the primary source of drinking water in Marion County.
Is there a moral obligation to do everything possible to stop the pollution and insure clean water for future generations?
Another issue deserving attention would be the proposed jail for Marion County, with 48 or 72 beds, there is a potential for deriving profit for the housing of out-of-county prisoners. Is it a good thing for a community to plan for the profit on the misfortune of others, and actually be in a position to benefit from increase in crime and incarceration rates in other communities?
A community meeting where a panel of ministers would discuss the concept of "just" war, a belief shared with Islam, would be a valuable and timely topic in light of the current situation in the Middle East.
I will end this with one last observation, while it may be a sign of trust and safety to leave your car running while inside a business it is better to turn off the engine to save fuel and decrease the amount of emissions.
Harry E. Bennett
Marion
