Nobody is forced to buy the stamp

After reading former Councilwoman Heather Somers’ letter in Readers

Respond (“Stamp not very appropriate during times like these,” on

Nov. 12) in response to Lolita Harper’s column, it is interesting how

one can become so incensed when someone questions his or her motives.

Obviously, it is every American’s right to decline from buying

stamps celebrating any religious holiday, including Ramadan, Hanukkah

and Christmas.

Incidentally, there are quite a few of the stamps, secular and

religious alike, issued by the U.S. Postal Service that I don’t

particularly like. Nevertheless, someone likes them or they wouldn’t

be issued. I thought freedom of choice was part of our heritage.

As for a “venomous attack” on former Councilwoman Somers, I reread

the original column and I couldn’t find it. What I found was a report

on Harper’s conversations with Somers and Russ Niewarowski.

Somers’ letter nowhere states that Harper misquoted her or

enlarged on her statements. Apparently, it was Harper’s usual

accurate reporting.

We have heard a lot about terrorists and our need to invade and

occupy Iraq that we have subsequently found to be untrue.

Saddam Hussein was an easy target. By all accounts, he is an

egomaniacal sadist and a scourge of his own people. However, he did

not attack the U. S. and he did not destroy the Twin Towers on Sept.

11, 2001.

I fail to see the connection to our own citizens who worship

Allah. Frankly, that contradicts everything I have ever read about

Jesus and about the origins of the Constitution of the United States.

The arrogance and irrationality of religious fanatics, Christian

and otherwise, never ceases to amaze me. Exactly how small is your

God?

A God who does not embrace all philosophies and beliefs that teach

tolerance, prosperity, kindness, thanksgiving and joy does not

interest me in the least.

Moreover, any government that cannot embrace them, including

“atheists and liberals,” doesn’t deserve our allegiance.

So try to love your neighbor and buy U.S. flag stamps. Those seem

to fit almost any occasion.

SAMUEL HORTON

Costa Mesa