By Staff
Celebrate the 4th of July
To the Editor:
In a few days we will celebrate July 4th. To me that document signed on this date in 1776 is the greatest document ever drawn and signed by Americans. In it the signers acknowledged our Creator and stated that among the unalienable rights afforded by him are that of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
This document known as the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson and signed by 56 very brave men. I say brave  they knew full well that if they were captured the penalty would be death. It passed the congress by one vote. Without that vote, we might still be a colony of Great Britain.
The following tells of some of these men and specifically what happened to them:
Carter Braxton, a wealthy planter and trader saw his ships swept away by the British Navy. He sold his home and property to pay his debts and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. Served in Congress without pay. His possessions were taken from him and poverty was his reward.
At the Battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson noted that the British General Cornwallis, had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire, it was done, the home was destroyed and Nelson died bankrupt.
Frances Lewis, had his home and property destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife and she died in a few months.
We need to be more involved, more informed about the affairs of government, generally be more vigilant if we expect to hold on to the liberty afforded us in this great document.
There's a bit of good news however, the Department of Education in Phoenix, Ariz., now have the 4-6 grade students recite the following passage from the Declaration of Independence. It needs thus;
So celebrate the 4th. Tell your children why you do. Fly the U.S. flag proudly and thank God for all the patriotic men and women that have given their lives and or their health serving under this national banner helping to preserve this great nation with more opportunities and freedom yet than any other on earth.
Mildred Smith
Quitman
Planning panel should solve problem
To the Editor:
The Meridian Planning Commission did it again. With the help of Mr. Phillips' opinion, they turned down the only plan on the table that would help with residential growth and new housing starts within the city limits.
Mr. Phillips showed up just to say NO! I understand that Mr. Phillips is not the head of the commission and his appointment on the committee expired in April 2000. The committee is not providing any alternative proposals to remedy the problem, but they sure can talk a good con game.
If you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem. If you want to impress me and the good citizens of Meridian, solve the problem and stop stalling.
Michael Thomas
Meridian
In God We Trust' a plan of action
To the Editor;
There is a move under way to place "IN GOD WE TRUST" plaques in classrooms throughout Mississippi. This is wonderful news! However, being hearers only of those words will avail us nothing until we actually become doers.
All too often, those of us who have been relegated to the "Christian Right" by the Heathen-Left place far more trust in human politicians than we do in God. Remember the big high we experienced when the Republicans took over both houses of Congress? The Kingdom Has Come, we thought. Boy were we deluded.
All went well until Bill Clinton stomped his foot and yelled "Boo." Poor old Newt Gingrich. Between Clinton and the press, he got so scared he quit his job and left town without even collecting his book advance.
Trent Lott didn't quit altogether. He just joined a bipartisan quartet and sang "Elvira" while his party blew back to back presidential and congressional elections.
Since then, he has issued only the most carefully worded, token responses to select issues, always being careful not to rile Ted Kennedy, or other Senate bullies.
The Republican Majority was a big disappointment. They broke their covenant with America. But if we place our trust in God, He will never break His covenant with us. That is an absolute, infallible promise.
Robert Robbins
Stonewall