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NOT A JOKE . . . Dear Bob, In light of the many perversions and jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her, "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding the attacks on Sept. 11). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And, being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorist attacks, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school ... the Bible says thou shalt not kill [murder, actually], thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. Then someone said teachers and principals better not discipline our children when they misbehave. The school administrators said no faculty member in this school better touch a student when they misbehave because we don't want any bad publicity, and we surely don't want to be sued (there's a big difference between disciplining, touching, beating, smacking, humiliating, kicking, etc.). And we said OK. Then someone said, let's let our daughters have abortions if they want, and they won't even have to tell their parents. And we said OK. Then some wise school board member said, since boys will be boys and they're going to do it anyway, let's give our sons all the condoms they want so they can have all the fun they desire, and we won't have to tell their parents they got them at school. And we said OK. Then someone said let's print magazines with pictures of nude women and call it wholesome, down-to-earth appreciation for the beauty of the female body. And we said OK. And then someone else took that appreciation a step further and published pictures of nude children and then further again by making them available on the Internet. And we said OK, They're entitled to free speech. Then the entertainment industry said, let's make TV shows and movies that promotes profanity, violence, and illicit sex. Let's record music that encourages rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes. And we said its just entertainment, it has no adverse effect, nobody takes it seriously anyway, so go right ahead. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW." Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Are you laughing? Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. Jim Irwin NEW ENERGY BILL THREATENS CONSUMERS AND AMERICA'S FUTURE Dear Editor, When considering the issue of our nation's energy policy, it is important to take into account not only our nation's energy needs, but also the environment, national security and our economy. We live in a world driven by energy. Our economy depends upon it; we rely on it in our daily lives; and in some cases, energy literally saves our lives. However, these benefits are not without environmental costs associated with energy production. Thus, when considering a long-term, comprehensive energy policy, it is critical to balance the demands for affordable and reliable energy with protection of the environment. During the last Congress, the Senate passed an Energy Bill (S.517) that, while not perfect, would have moved our nation toward accomplishing both of these goals. However, the differences between this bill and the House passed bill (H.R.4) were not resolved in the Conference Committee, and a final bill was never passed by Congress. Earlier this year, Senate Energy Committee Chairman Senator Dominici (R-NM) introduced a new Energy Bill (S.14). Similar to other recent proposals put forth by the Majority, S.14 would do little to ensure America's energy independence and would pose significant threats to our environment. Contrary to the Bush Administration's approach, I believe Congress should work to pass a long term, comprehensive energy bill that includes measures to increase efficiency and domestic energy production using alternative technologies. In the last decade, the global production of energy from wind power has increased ten-fold, and the energy derived from solar generation has increased seven-fold. While the United States initially led the world in the development of these technologies, this advantage has eroded in recent years. Since the market for these technologies is expected to surpass $100 billion early in the next decade, it is essential that we regain this lead. I am also concerned that provisions in this bill would roll back existing consumer protections, including the Public Utility Holding Act (PUCHA). Established in 1935, PUCHA regulates holding companies that have subsidiaries that are either electric utilities or are engaged in retail natural gas distribution. As the collapse of Enron made clear, these companies still need to be regulated to ensure that consumers and stockowners are protected. Without new safeguards, I believe it is a mistake to repeal this important law. I recently signed a letter to Senator Dominici explaining my concerns regarding this issue. The debate concerning S.14 is expected to last into the summer. I encourage your readers to make their voices heard as this issue continues to be considered by the Congress. Sincerely, Carl Levin U.S. Senator The Review welcomes your letters and comments. Please send all correspondence to: Letters to the Editor, Review Magazine, 318 S. Hamilton St., Saginaw, MI 48602. Or you can e-mail us online at acidpen@cris.com
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