A priceless jewel
As a lifelong Baptist, I have always enjoyed sharing the traditions of my Moravian friends during the Christmas season. From the Moravian star and the sugar cake to the Christmas Eve Love Feast, our Christmas holidays have always been richly enhanced by these wonderful traditions.
Our favorite of the activities is our annual trip to the Candle Tea at Old Salem. The singing, the sugar cake, the candle making and the putz have all added to precious holiday memories for our family for 30 years.
We recently took our granddaughter with us for the first time. What a joy to experience the tea with the daughter of my daughter, who is the same age as her mother was the first time she went.
I remember over the years standing in line with so many people as we waited to experience what was for us the advent of the Christmas season.
Imagine my surprise when we were leaving and there was no one in line. I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to experience the priceless jewel in the heart of our city. It's Old Salem's Christmas present to us.
JEANNIE METCALF
Winston-Salem
The final nail
The election is over; the race is won. The dust has settled, the smoke has cleared and the final nail is being driven into the coffin of freedom. The demise of freedom in the greatest nation on earth will live in infamy.
JOHNNIE K. POPE
Winston-Salem
Joyous occurrence
We’ve got Christmas trees in the White House and we had a wonderful Christmas parade in downtown Winston-Salem Saturday. My children’s favorite was Stella the Christmas Poodle. That has given them (and me) some ideas for Christmas Day.
This is a joyous time of year, celebrating a joyous occurrence over 2,000 years ago. I feel sorry for the atheists and other non-believers who can’t appreciate it all.
MARGARET J. HARRIS
Winston-Salem
Learning lessons
A colleague surprised me by saying he would vote for Mitt Romney because a conservative would do more to reduce the debt. I thought my colleague knew better. Soon after, a letter in the Journal cited history clearly suggesting liberals are more effective improving the economy (“Conservatives,” Nov. 2). I considered sending it to him, but didn't. It wouldn't have helped because lowering the debt wasn't his real reason.
Folks who are well-read and bright, like my colleague, know to avoid being up-front about their difficult-to-defend notions. Instead, they give made-up but hopefully more defensible reasons for their voting preferences. But doing that makes them sound ignorant when they aren't.
Republicans lost badly because a few weren't well informed or smart enough to keep to themselves glimpses into their false beliefs. So we heard the foolish, disrespectful comments about the “47 percent” and “legitimate rape.”
The Republican Party leadership has learned a lesson from its losses: be even more deceptive regarding its unpopular policies. The lesson the rest of us must learn is to not take seriously what's said by such conservatives but pay close attention to their actions.
Since the election, Sen. John McCain, an elderly white male, publicly advised Republicans to be more respectful of people who're different. Evidently not taking his own advice, McCain has been treating disrespectfully a young African-American woman (U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice) for a reason that makes little sense, other than as a petty act of revenge.
RICHARD TERRY LOVELACE
Winston-Salem
Helping the poor
When I go into the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, where I have volunteered for 22 years, I see young mothers and small children, handicapped veterans and old people from all walks of life, filling the crowded entrance lobby, and lined up and down a long hall just waiting for a few cans of food; their faces with looks of desperation, which is heartbreaking for those of us who care. For the life of me, I cannot understand how some who are professing to be Christians can resent our government helping these families in need. Most would gladly be working if jobs were available for them. But some are afraid that if they give, they will help someone who doesn't need it.
I have received much criticism for standing up for President Obama and his passion for helping the poor. I would gladly pay more taxes if that is what it takes. We spend billions on two unnecessary wars that kill and maim our young soldiers, but still we are not willing to pay more taxes, even to help the soldiers who have served. It seems the love of money really is the root of all evil.
I will always stand up for peace and diplomacy instead of war. I will never attack anyone for their opinion and pray they will give me the same courtesy.
NAOMI J. DAVIS
Winston-Salem
LTE #2... The Final Nail
ReplyDeleteAccording to a new Public Policy Poll, 25% of GOPers support secession following President Obama’s re-election. Another 19% of self-identified Republicans said they were unsure. From the 1860 Republican Party Platform: THIRD. That to the Union of the states this nation owes its unprecedented increase in population; its surprising development of material resources; its rapid augmentation of wealth; its happiness at home and its honor abroad; and we hold in abhorrence all schemes for disunion, come from whatever source they may;
860 Republican Platform: TWELFTH. That while providing revenue for the support of the general government by duties upon imports, sound policy requires such an adjustment of these imposts as to encourage the development of the industrial interests of the whole country, and we commend that policy of national exchanges which secures to the workingmen liberal wages, to agriculture remunerating prices, to mechanics and manufacturers an adequate reward for their skill, labor and enterprise, and to the nation commercial prosperity and independence.
Deleteraising revenues and liberal wages, ah the good ole days of the Republican Party.
THIRTEENTH. That we protest against any sale or alienation to others of the public lands held by actual settlers, and against any view of the free homestead policy which regards the settlers as paupers or suppliants for public bounty, and we demand the passage by congress of the complete and satisfactory homestead measure which has already passed the house.
DeleteThe Homestead Act of 1863: Free stuff.
FIFTEENTH. That appropriation by congress for river and harbor improvements of a national character, required for the accommodation and security of an existing commerce, are authorized by the constitution and justified by the obligation of government to protect the lives and property of its citizens.
DeleteStimulus
SIXTEENTH. That a railroad to the Pacific ocean is imperatively demanded by the interests of the whole country; that the federal government ought to render immediate and efficient aid in its construction; and that, as preliminary thereto, a daily overland mail should be promptly established.
DeleteMore Stimulus.
One thing's for sure, if Abraham Lincoln were alive today, there is one thing he would not be. A Republican.
DeleteAfter 150 years some things sure do change, and some things don't change much. Maybe just form and structure. Lincoln would wonder what the heck and might be a Libertarian I guess. The Democrat platform(s) of 1860 might very well recognise a lot of similarity with todays Democrat party.
DeleteYes, the Republic Party has changed. It's really sad how the Republic Party has devolved.
DeleteYou completely missed the second point.
DeleteNot at all, but I'm not going to argue with you.
DeleteThe 1860's D's would be having strokes seeing that the D's of today would even give a passing thought to engaging minorities, then die of a heart attack after seeing a black man win the D nomination.
DeleteA priceless jewel. Indeed it is. We grew up Methodists in West End and were always among the Moravians to the point of seamlessness. My Grandparents always had the Moravian Star on the front porch and never took it down. On my parents house ditto. I have a very nice large star in my home to this day. As a school kid, my best memories were the Christmas trips our class would make to the Candle Tea. In those years, Old Salem looked a great deal older. My eldest cousin and her husband lived within that community and we would always visit them as they opened their door to many a touring visitor. My cousin was a musician and her husband was a piano instructor on the Salem campus. He was also a German American arriving in America just before WW2. He always added a great deal of depth to the Moravian tradition. We go occasionally now, it's nice but not quite the same as way back then.
ReplyDeleteThe final nail. No it isn't. Liberty loving Americans are a resilient lot and are smart enough to see that the "final nail" might just be driven into that very thing you think is driving the final nail....and driven by the people you think are "winning". History of western nations is against them and will ultimately be their undoing. It will take years but eventually you can use your hammer best by turning it around and pulling the nails out. Same tool, different uses.
ReplyDeleteJoyous occurence. When we were kids, we would all run downtown early and find a spot on the wall next to the Winston theater. Good spot as the parade was just starting at that point. As for atheists etc, wish them the same as you wish anyone else at Christmas. Can't hurt.
ReplyDeleteLearning lessons. No one learns lessons from these elections. Bits of truth in your first 3 paragraphs but they are best told in front of a mirror. Your 4th paragraph should be spoken in front of an even bigger mirror. In your last paragraph you just fell on your face.
ReplyDeleteHelping the poor. We are all called to do so and most do to one degree or another. I assume you spent my last two checks wisely as well as the ones before. Professing Christians can easily resent government "helping". Government is the problem, the enabler, the maintainer of too much poverty. For decades and by policy it has overwhelmed the charity system which used to be the purview of individuals, churches and civic groups. Give to government in the name of charity is misuse of charity and of government. An organization that takes the "cut" that government takes before "charity" dollars reach the needy would be the subject of an expose in the press. Your passion for your president is misplaced, your acceptance of his spoken passion is misguided and your willingness to give him more is misspent. Give it to those right in front of you. Standing up for peace and diplomacy is a good thing...just put the word "liberty" in front for a change. That might begin to alter the entire dynamic.
ReplyDeleteXmas parade: I remember them with fondness. One year, when I was in junior high, my friends and I watched the parade from atop the Woolworth building, ajacent to the Carolina Hotel, now the Stevens Center. I bounced an apple off a passing high school marching band's bass drum. We descended as police ascended to round up those remaining, thus a double prank on my part. "Twas the season to be jolly.
ReplyDeleteBad Stab, bad bad!
DeleteYeah, but fun, WW, fun fun :D
DeleteVoters were more divided on the question of same-sex marriage, which also had success at the polls on Election Day. According to the poll, voters favor same-sex marriage by just two points -- 48 percent to 46 percent -- which is within the poll's margin of error. But the survey shows evidence of rapid change on how people feel about the issue. In 2008, a Quinnipiac poll showed that men opposed same-sex marriage 61 to 31 percent; currently, they oppose it 50 to 43 percent. Women, who opposed same-sex marriage 51 to 40 percent in 2008, now back same-sex marriage 52 to 42 percent.
ReplyDelete_____________
Once people get more exposed to same sex behaviorial problems, the polls will swing back the other way.
Nothing like a quick trip to the 'Y' to make you wake up to problematic homosexual behavior.
and now the rest of the story:....... Women, who opposed same-sex marriage 51 to 40 percent in 2008, now back same-sex marriage 52 to 42 percent.
Delete"It seems pretty clear that attitudes toward same-sex marriage in American society are changing rapidly. While the country remains split on the issue, supporters have come pretty far in the last four years," said Brown. "Since voters 18 to 29 years old support same-sex marriage 63 - 35 percent, once again we see it's just a matter of time."
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-34222_162-57557257-10391739/voters-support-pot-legalization-split-on-same-sex-marriage/
The group with the most exposure is also the group with the highest support.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteBucky, I disbelieve the bathroom stall report, but I believe I have indicated that domicile and its two athletic occupants are personae non grata. Thus the deletion.
DeleteJust because you disbelieve the event, doesn't mean it didn't happen.
DeletePoor little Buckboy…his entire life is a fantasy…from the Y and the public toilets to his faux chicken sandwiches…his far flung travels, from El Gato Negro in the ABCs to the great Philadelphia restaurants to some shabby plaza in Madrid (who would go to Madrid when Barcelona is just right up the street)…from his sad obsessions with body parts to his insane fantasies about the women of Venezuela (prostitutes are the same the world over, except for the lovely Lolitas of Krakow)…from his pathetic reading and comprehension “skills”, to his ludicrous imaginings of victory in “debate” on this forum, to his foolish sheriff’s website to his river of irrelevant posts about burglaries in Oakland and what some trashy celebrity thinks about anything…all fake, all made up, just like his favorite source of “information”, FoxLies®.
DeleteI was just looking on Google Earth, and I was trying to locate the exact public bathroom in Miami Beach where the gay bucks broke the partition down. It was around 97th and Collins.
DeleteIt was a well known gay internet 'encounter' site at the time. Gay bucks would show up in taxis, on buses, on foot etc. However, it was just happen-stance for me. I just happened to be in the area, and I had to use the bathroom. There were two bucks a bangin in an adjacent stall, and they broke down a partition on me. True story. Believe it or not.
It seems that we always have a problem getting the story straight. In the first telling, it happened in Winston-Salem and he had his 10 year old son (another mythological being?) with him.
DeleteAnd there's a geographical problem with the new story. Collins intersects with 96th Street near that hideous new mall, then continues on north as Collins/Bal Harbour, ranging from 4 to 6 lanes, not exactly a strolling area. And it never intersects with 97th, because 97th isn't there.
97th dead ends on the west side of Indian Creek and does not continue on the east side. Maybe the story should be reset to some place I would never go if you paid me...say, Atlanta or Dallas or Little Rock or Indianapolis.
We already have two great epic myths, the Illiad and the Odyssey...I don't think we need the Buckyad.
Good afternoon folks!
ReplyDeleteLTE 1: Say, an LTE from Metcalf that I can wholeheartedly endorse! There isn't anything like Christmas at Old Salem. The Moravians definitely know how to celebrate Christmas as well as Easter.
LTE 2: "The election is over; the race is won. The dust has settled, the smoke has cleared " and Mr. Pope should have stopped right there because the rest is nothing but Chicken Little BS.
LTE 3: I remember marching in the W-S Christmas parade when I was in HS. One year it was sooo cold, windy and absolutely miserable. At least it was good practice for a few years later when at UNC we marched in the Peach Bowl parade in Atlanta during a record cold snap.
LTE 4: Reagan and GWB pushed the "deficits don't matter" mantra to the limit. The Republicans lost the WH and Senate because they failed to recognize that catering to white male conservatives only no longer generates enough votes to win general elections. Pissing off over half the electorate is a guaranteed losing strategy. I learned long ago not to take anything any politician says regardless of political orientation seriously.
LTE 5: I am amazed at times at some of the anger as well as the bewildering envy I see directed at the poor. There's no doubt that a lot of benefits are being paid to people who are unable to work due to developing "mental disabilities" or having a "bad back" or whatever. I've seen several examples of this on both sides of my family from cousins living off the system who vote R by the way. I have one cousin with an adopted teenage boy who upon turning 18 is getting more in SS benefits than my mom who worked over 25 years. Of course, my cousin is living off mental disability herself after she failed to get physical disabilty for a hip replacement although her husband is employed. I also have an aunt who is getting SS from her ex-husband's estate following his death although they were divorced nearly 30 years ago. Then again, I saw in my Pizza Hut days people working their tails off for minimum wage, but were unable to live on their own without govt assistance because they earned so little. There is fraud and abuse in the system, but there are also people who truly need it.
LTE #1 – Jeannie should share more than the Moravian Christmas traditions…she should also share in their true spirt of Jesus instead of the nastiness that emanates from her backwoods, redneck Baptist church.
ReplyDeleteRecently, the school board adopted System Thinking as part of the curriculum by a 7-2 vote. You can figure out who the two dissenters were. System Thinking has been around for a long time. My undergrad college was one of the first to use it in liberal arts classes, with great success. Many of the best run businesses and many of the best colleges and universities use it.
Metcalf’s take: She objects to the system because it is dangerous for student’s minds, because the director of the program at MIT is a Buddhist and a socialist and tht the system itself instructs students not to think for themselves.
Of course, what she really means is that Systems Thinking does just the opposite, so the students might start questioning the brain washing that goes on at Metcalf’s church.
You’d think that for something called the Board of Education that we would want educated people, wouldn’t you?
LTE #2 – “Henny Penny…Henny Penny!!!”
LTE #3 – This non-believer thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas parade, the best one we’ve had in about 40 years. And this non-believer will be attending a Moravian love feast on Christmas eve as he has done for most of his life.
I feel sorry for fools who make assumptions about other people.
LTE #4 – We are aware that a significant number of white people hate the President because of his skin color. And Mr. Lovelace is right on it…I said to one of my oldest friends “Why don’t you just admit that you’re a racist, then you won’t have to keep repeating all that nonsense that Limbaugh made up which makes you sound like a fool.”
LTE #5 – Most people don’t hate the poor and downtrodden…they’re just greedy and selfish and uncaring tax whiners.
IT might be that the old white guy McCain disagrees with Rice for policy reasons. Although leftward types cannot drop this stereotype, it is possible to disagree with an African-America for reasons other than racial. My disagreements with President Obama's labor policies, for example, have nothing to do with his skin color.
DeleteIf McCain has a policy difference, he has so far failed to mention it.
DeleteHe has become something of a grudge holder, and most likely is trying to pay Rice back for her incisive dismantling of his foreign policy platform in 2008.
The irony is that his attacks are based on what Rice said about Benghazi, which is precisely the same thing that McCain said about Benghazi.
All the stupid Republicans need to shut their mouths and turn on their brains or there may well not be a Republican party by 2016.
No GOP in 2016? How about no America in 2016 if Obama continues on the same path he's been on?
DeleteBut racism still exists on the right...Romney basically got elected president of the old Confederacy. Wes Patterson is no doubt proud of this.
DeleteIf the GOP wants to start digging out of this hole, I humbly suggest that the first step is to admit it has a problem.
And McCain's not a racist, he's just a very bitter man.
Yep...next time they can run a Ricky Perry-Sarah Palin ticket and use "Dixie" as their theme song and borrow the Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina capitol and the christian flag from the King "memorial" and they'll win South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas and Alaska and Hillary will win another "close" one 470-68 and all those states can then secede and no one will miss them even a tiny little bit.
DeleteI predict the old confederacy states will be economically around for a while. I don't think I can say as much for the old rust belt, and the left coast who elected Obama.
DeleteA Detroit city council member is asking President Obama to bail out the financially troubled city in return for residents’ overwhelmingly supporting his successful re-election bid.
Delete“There ought to be a quid pro quo," said Councilwoman JoAnn Watson, according to My Fox Detroit.
Nearly 75 percent of voters in Wayne County, which includes Detroit, voted for Obama on Nov. 6.
“There ought to be a quid pro quo."
- Councilwoman JoAnn Watson
"After the election of Jimmy Carter, the honorable Coleman Alexander Young, he went to Washington, D.C., and came home with some bacon," Watson said. "That's what you do," Watson said.
_______
Don't you just love these Democrats?
We're a bunch of idiots so bail us out {Sic}.
DeleteJust as we have problems when we wander into mythical geography, we also have problems when we wander into unfamiliar areas of the language.
DeleteSic is short for sic erat scriptum which means "thus it had been written". It is used in direct quotes when there is a misspelled word or other error in the original quote to let the reader know that the writer has not changed the error or errors.
Sic is supposed to be set in [ ] brackets, but in this permissive age, can also be set in ( ) brackets. It can never be set in { } brackets. Also, since it is a foreign word, it is always set in italics.
Exemplum: “There ought to be a quid pro quo. [sic]"