Letter to the Editor Editor,
I’m afraid “Craven’s World,” a.k.a. “CW” needs some educating. Far be it for me to refuse. In CW’s Thursday, Dec. 20 cartoon, a gift-wrapped package was pictured with the lady saying “It’s from Huckabee…” and the man says “I’ll bet it’s more religious pandering. Or maybe fruitcakes.”
It is a reference to former Arkansas Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee’s ad where he wished everyone a Merry Christmas. He has been open about his faith and I, for one, was quite pleased that he would extend a Merry Christmas wish.
What’s wrong with that? Is that “religious pandering?” The term “pander” means “to indulge somebody’s weaknesses or questionable wishes and tastes.”
Why is Gov. Huckabee making a Christmas wish religious pandering? I’m sure CW will not work on Dec. 25 because it is Christmas Day…not “holiday day,” but Christmas Day. CW will celebrate Christmas. I’ll call the Press office on Christmas Day just to see if CW spends an 8-hour day there. After all we don’t want CW accused of religious pandering do we?
I would dare to say that CW will give family and friends Christmas gifts, and forbid the thought, wish others a “Merry Christmas.”
A greater concern is the fact that CW’s right to place a cartoon such as this in a newspaper is a right for which CW criticizes Gov. Huckabee’s wishing the public a Merry Christmas.
The second section of the first Article of the Bill of Rights gives the people of the United States freedom of speech. CW can accuse Gov. Huckabee of religious pandering, which is a misnomer (continuing CW’s education, a “misnomer” is a wrong or unsuitable name or term for something or somebody), exercising her first amendment rights, yet criticize Governor Huckabee for exercising his.
But an even greater concern is CW’s denial of Governor Huckabee’s right of religious freedom. The FIRST section of the FIRST article of the Bill of Rights states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Notice that the writers of the Constitution emphasized the importance of religious freedom by placing it FIRST in the Bill of Rights.
CW’s accusation of “religious pandering” impinges on Gov. Huckabee’s right to religious freedom. I have a right to express my faith wherever and whenever I wish. That right is inherent in the Bill of Rights, and Congress, nor any other government entity, can deny me that right.
That also applies to Gov. Huckabee and his expression of his faith. Any other interpretation of the above quote from the Bill of Rights is dead wrong and goes against the intent of the writers of the Constitution of the United States of America.
It’s a shame that CW would make fun of someone’s expression of his or her faith, a right granted to all by the Bill of Rights.
There is much more education that CW needs on this issue!
Joy!
Rev. Elwood Doss, Jr.
Martin
WCP 12.27.07 , , | 
