Selective tolerance
Liberals squealing for religious freedom, in context of the NYC Islamic center, is farce-a-licious, the hypocrisy unending. In all the commentary, I haven’t seen one opinion declaring the center unconstitutional, merely that it is in raunchy taste for a religion that claims to want mended fences. But let a teacher say, “God bless you” when a student sneezes and the ACLU vulture, at behest of a complaining parent, swoops down with a lawsuit against the school district faster than you can say “nonestablishment clause.”
Now we have an imam in Springdale, Wash., (Letters, Aug. 27) waving the Constitution, protesting national hysteria (guffaw), and demanding religious liberty. Geez.
OK, Imam Iman, I insist you march down to the nearest ACLU, pound your fist on the countertop, and demand an end to illegal harassment towards, and unwarranted litigation against, God-and-Bible-mentioning teachers, community nativity scenes, prayer at public ceremonies and highway and desert cross memorials. Don’t forget – “free exercise thereof.”
Hurry up, imam, we’re waiting.
Rod Foss
Spokane
In September 2009 when we received our license tab notice, the state had put a $20 plate renewal charge on it. This charge is every fifth year.
Our car is a 2002 model with 48,000 miles and stays in our garage 12 months a year. Our old plates were like new. In May 2010 our 1977 pickup with 54,000 was targeted for the $20 new plate charge. We have had the truck five years and have put less than 4,000 miles on it. It also stays in our garage 12 months a year. No wear on them at all.
My son and I recently purchased a ’58 model four-wheel-drive pickup in very bad condition. We hoped to get it running and repair the bed, which was gone, so we could use it for hunting. When I transferred the title I was asked the model and I would have to pay the value out of a restorable book, and that could be as high as $15,000 no matter what I had paid for the truck. These fees are just a total rip-off by the state.
Ticket the people with bad plates, and stop trying to find ways to add fees on top of fees.
Glen T. Mowbray
Spokane