SOUNDING OFF:

9)

Apparently certain council members forgot they were elected to serve the common good and general welfare of all “Surf City” citizens, not act as the catalyst for animosity. Specifically, I refer to the recent rancor created over the obviously controversial motto, “In God We Trust.”

For many years, the council chamber has served its purpose without signs invoking any religious connotations. Every citizen of this city has the inalienable right to enter the chamber without any feeling of discrimination or religious favoritism. Several concerned citizens voiced their objections to this motto because of its categorical assumption, with a religious bent, to which not everyone subscribes. Many more would have protested, but are either allergic to public speaking or were unaware that this issue was to be discussed.

In light of this unnecessary controversy, the council could have chosen the path of peacemakers by either leaving the walls unadorned or selecting a universally inspiring patriotic phrase that bears no religious innuendo. The resulting acrimony rests squarely on the shoulders of council members Joe Carchio, Cathy Green, Don Hansen and Gil Coerper who chose discord when conciliation was attainable and overt partisanship in matters of a religious or spiritual nature that many citizens deem inappropriate at City Hall.

People, such as Carchio, who claim the motto is more about patriotism than religion, either haven’t taken the time to study the historical facts, easily found online, or are pawns of a distorted truth. The origins of the motto are indeed religious, the first known written appeal initiated by a minister during the American Civil War in a letter to then-Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase. The final motto was the collaborative effort of Chase and the director of the Mint at that time, James Pollock. Consider the source. These words did not flow from the quills of Jefferson, Washington, Madison or any other giants of American patriotism.

Patriotism has absolutely nothing to do with whether one accepts or denies a belief or “trust” in an Almighty. “Patriotism,” as defined by Webster’s, is “love and loyal or zealous support of one’s own country.” The definition is devoid of any religious reference and rightly so. Who among us has the audacity to doubt the patriotism of agnostics, atheists or those who “decline to state” and serve the nation today or made the ultimate sacrifice in its defense?

The council was not under a mandate to post any other motto on the walls of the chamber. If this council believes a motto is absolutely necessary then choose one that truly evokes patriotism, without a scintilla of religious overtone, and is accepted by all American citizens as part of our heritage, such as:

?“We the people . . .” The first three inspiring words of the Preamble to the Constitution, a document that has defined us as a nation for more than 200 years.

?E PLURIBUS UNUM (Out of many, one) reflects the unifying strength of our diversity and was the de facto motto of the nation for more than 170 years.

?Certainly the writings by Thomas Jefferson merit consideration:

“We are a people capable of self-government, and worthy of it.”

“A government of reason is better than one of force.”

Considering the availability of such inspiring patriotic phrases, and the fact that the council is meant to serve all citizens, is it too much to ask our elected peacemakers ... er, council, to select one that, by its nature, does not elicit controversy? If so, just paint the walls a nice beige and leave it at that.

STEVE OLIM is a Huntington Beach resident.