To the Editor:

It is not often religious fundamentalists surprise me.

As they are quick to condemn what they do not like or understand, their diatribes usually do not merit a response from me. It is my philosophy each person is entitled to publicly air their beliefs and opinions, regardless of how intelligent or inane. Such are the wonders of the freedom of expression.

However, the attacks on the Harry Potter books have left me shaking my head. Misinformed folks are maligning these delightful tomes. These books should be praised for encouraging further reading and sparking children's imaginations which, contrary to the opinions of some, are wonderful things indeed.

Did the Harrises or Mr. McInvale form their opinions after actually reading these books or are they obtaining their information from some other source? One would guess their insight comes from the Almighty himself given the conviction of their letters.

The Harrises ask, "How about offering God's word to these children whereby the real truth is found to live?" Which part of God's word should we offer to these children? Genesis 6, verses 1 through 4? II Samuel chapter 13? These and other passages are filled with examples of hate, perversion, rape and murder. They must be taken in context to understand the overall message of the Bible, that of salvation.

Good parents are mindful of what their children are hearing and seeing. Parenting is not a job to be taken lightly when the outcome is so important. We strive to raise our children with the help of God to be responsible and moral people. We teach them to discern right from wrong for themselves.

But denouncing a popular children's book as an instrument of old Scratch himself is as absurd as believing Zeus still launches thunderbolts from Mt. Olympus.

Bo Alawine

Ocean Springs

Will Lieberman change his stands?

To the Editor:

Many feel that Sen Joe Lieberman will disavow his conservative bent in

order to become a loyal member of the "LieberAl" team.

Armond "Si" Simmons

Pell City, AL

Seeking information about descendant

To the Editor:

We are searching for information from the descendants of George F. Coleman. My husband purchased a double barreled shotgun with his name inscribed on it. There is no manufacturer's name. It is also inscribed "Meridian Miss."

Hope someone can help.

Thank you.

Donna L. Gibson

ican@neumedia.net

Why the school bond issue failed

To the Editor:

Yes, Mr Hess is a very nice person. However, did the school board as a whole do everything they could to pass the bond issue - I don't think so.

I am a resident of the county and cannot vote, but have campaigned very hard to my friends who can vote to get out and vote.

The reasons that about 70 percent of the citizens of Meridian did not get out and vote are:

1. There were no specific locations named where these new schools were going to be built.

2. There are no tentative plans or blueprints drawn or publicly submitted to say these new buildings are going to accommodate this many students today or in the future as the population grows. Also, how are we going to be able to make additions to these buildings in order to accommodate this many more students in order that we will not be coming back in the next 5 - 6 years to have to build more buildings.

People in Meridian "think," and when they are not given concrete facts as to specific locations, how much each building is going to cost by having tentative plans or blueprints drawn or submitted, they are not going to get out and vote.

Meridian is so blessed with natural resources and is located in a strategic location for growth and development. Leaders need to realize this and if they will make long term concrete plans and present the whole detailed picture to the citizens, we won't have to waste newspaper print listing the 70 percent of the citizens who did not vote.

Anita Yeatman

Meridian

Lieberman walks on left with Gore

To the Editor:

The orgy of adoration the liberal media is having with Joe Lieberman was predictable. I am most respectful of his orthodox Judaism, yet, disturbed by his voting record.

Lieberman is being wrongly marketed as a moderate when he and Al Gore are matching, hard-left, liberal book ends. Both voted to continue the hellish method of killing baby boys and girls during birth called partial-birth abortion.

In his speech on national news, Lieberman prayed: "Dear Lord, Maker of all, thank you for brining me to this extraordinary moment in my life."

Well now, who does Lieberman think is the maker of these innocent children he just legislated to death? Lieberman's brains weren't suctioned out at birth by an abortionist so you would think he'd show the same mercy.

The November elections offer the same opposite and clear-cut choice as the one God gave in Deuteronomy 30:19: "... I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now, choose life, so that you and your children may live... "

Susan Seale

Philadelphia

The Meridian Star welcomes letters from its readers. Letters may be mailed or faxed (485-1275). Letters should be of general local interest and not exceed 300 words. They must bear the writer's name, address and signature, as well as a telephone number where the writer can be reached. All letters are subject to editing. Letters can be emailed to info@meridianstar.com or mail letters to:

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The Meridian Star
P.O. Box 1591
Meridian, MS 39302