A Time For Personal Reflection

TO THE EDITORS:

I am certain the following will upset a lot of people and, if soit will have accomplished its purpose.

It is time to tone down the political rhetoric and encouragementof acts of violence that are so prevalent from some of ourpoliticians and radio and news media personalities and yes, evenourselves.

I think it would be very easy to assess our current media climateby some of these individuals that espouse their own brand of venommixed with hate and half truths as close to terrorism in itself.

Encouragement of "acts of violence" does not belong in politicaldebate in our country. It does not belong in any form in ourcountry. It also does not belong in e-mail or other Internet poststhat are so prevalent. Those who write this drivel or forward theseposts to others are just as much to blame as the violent attackersthemselves.

These people are spreading "terrorism" and are part of theproblem and not the solution. And don't hide behind your right of"freedom of speech." This right does not include threats againstother people or even hints of threats that may encourage others todo bodily harm to someone.

And don't hide behind your religious beliefs. If you professbelief in Jesus, but don't live your lives according to his wordsand example, you are not living a Christian life.

I think it is time for personal reflection, by a lot of people,of what you really stand for and what you really want this countryto be like in the future.

Wayne Lawrence Jr.

Manheim Township