Keep church and state separate
Putting "In God We Trust," on license plates is but another not-so-thinly veiled attempt to encroach church into state. For Rep. Bill Sanderson to justify his proposal with the statement that our country was founded under religious principles is simply incorrect. Our country was founded under the principle of religious freedom which is exactly the opposite.
This phrase first appeared in the last stanza of the Star Spangled Banner, published in 1814. Fifty years later it was embossed on the two-cent coin following the Civil War in 1864, so that's its history.
The omission of any reference to God in the U.S. Constitution was not out of forgetfulness by our Founding Fathers but of purposeful intention to keep government separate from religion. Thomas Jefferson was adamant that we erect a "wall" between church and state to further differentiate ourselves from England.
I might suggest Rep. Sanderson do a little homework and take a few notes before assuming to lecture us as to how this country was founded. And while he's at it, kindly keep his spiritual zealotry to himself... just as our founders intended.
Denny Pistoll, Rising Fawn, Ga.
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Sessions a poor choice for U.S. AG post
It is with a great sense of personal pride that I have the opportunity to congratulate and support Sens. Corey Booker, John Lewis, and Sherrod Brown for their courage in standing up for truths which they not only support but which they have endorsed and defended throughout the course of their lives.
I expressed in writing my reservations about the suitability of U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions as U.S. attorney general given his public record of opposition to most, if not all, bills/motions guaranteeing equal rights for all. Would that there would be more Bookers, Lewis', and Browns in the United States, including the Senate.
It is with great loathing that I reject the venomous hatred of prejudice, bigotry and intolerance that now has the support of an authority figure elected by a minority to slither out of the dark hole of ignorance ready to strike at the exposed heel of the United States because of some illusory allegiance to tradition or the spineless commitment to "get over it and move on."
Dennis Westmeier, Red Bank
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Trump fails to see who 'establishment' is
In his inaugural address, Donald Trump attacked the "establishment." It appears in his mind that the "establishment" is the federal government.
Let's see, the federal government is composed of the executive, the legislative and the judicial branches.
The executive is headed by the president, indirectly elected by the people, cabinet officers and other heads of agencies appointed by the president, confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The legislative branch is composed of the House of Representatives, elected by the people; the U.S. Senate, elected by the people.
Alas, by deductive reasoning, the evidence points to the fact that the establishment is the people.
Archie Thurman