Editor’s note: After too long an absence, “We Hear You” is back to round up your responses to The Daily Signal’s coverage. Here’s a sampling from the mailbag at letters@dailysignal.com.—Ken McIntyre
Dear Daily Signal: It’s shameful that security guards at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, asked a gentleman to remove his T-shirt with the message “Jesus Saves,” as Tyler O’Neil reported (“The Real Story Behind Mall Security Asking Man to Remove ‘Jesus Saves’ T-Shirt“). The man should’ve called in state or local police, and the news, and said, “I’m not leaving.“
This is a clear violation of freedom of speech as guaranteed in the First Amendment. The guard’s argument could very easily have been, “I don’t like that lady’s pink rainbow hat or that gentleman‘s aqua blue jacket, and I want them removed because I am offended.”
That’s how insidious and ridiculous the argument is from this mall cop.
It doesn’t surprise me that this occurred just outside Minneapolis, a socialist swine, hell city that has lost its way. I believe that mall security’s reaction was largely due to a prior interaction the prior week, when the same man passed out religious leaflets.—Todd Miller, owner/creator, BerZerktoad LLC, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
Dear Daily Signal: Right up front, this is the USA, where freedom of speech is a thing. Freedom of religion is too. The security guards at the Mall of America had no authority to demand the man to remove his T-shirt with the message “Jesus Saves” on it.
Sure, it is private property but it is open to the public, which makes it being private property irrelevant. The person or persons offended by the man’s T-shirt are free to leave, or to stay and not look at it. Their being offended is no more important than the man’s being offended by being asked to remove his T-shirt.
In my opinion, the man in the “Jesus Saves” T-shirt was within his rights and the mall’s security guards were out of order.
Also, why should two people get to get their way and carry the day? They shouldn’t be allowed to throw a tantrum and force their prejudiced views on others.—David G. Tippens
Dear Daily Signal: I’m so tired of all the shirts that say something. Why do people think they should promote an idea or personal sentiment to everyone?
Just put some clothes on and go to the mall, grocery store, or wherever. Don’t make a spectacle of yourself.
And especially your kids. Don’t send them to school as an advertisement for your latest cause. It’s an aspect of civility.—Pamela Digardi, South Carolina
***
Had this man been Muslim and wearing a T-shirt that said “Allah is the only way,” would he have been asked to leave the mall?—Jim Niemeyer, Ocala, Fla.
Teaching Our Children Better
Dear Daily Signal: I agree 100% with everything in Jarrett Stepman’s commentary article, “Why Only 16% of Gen Z Are Proud to Be an American, and What We Should Do About It.” I have always said that since the mid 1960s, the far Left, which now has become communist in it’s ideology in my opinion, took over first the universities to teach and brainwash those students.
Then sometime in the mid-’90s, they started spreading their poison in our high schools and grade schools. The afterburner was kicked in on all of this during the Obama administration with critical race theory, Antifa, transgenderism, LGBQT, and the era of lawlessness.
I also believe that the big enabler of all of our problems is the mainstream media, along with CNN, MSNBC, and National Public Radio. If they would do their jobs as they should—reporting fairly, objectively, and without bias—we would be able to expose the corrupt politicians and organizations that are spreading this anti-Americanism and anti-capitalism and the further brainwashing of everyone who listens to them.
We must hold those news organizations accountable and hammer on them and expose them for what they truly are. Just imagine how much good they could do for the United States if they weren’t a major part of the corruption.—Steve Isaak, Hermann, Mo.
***
Jarrett Stepman’s recent commentary on Generation Z represents my view entirely Definitely a course correction is needed, or else who would fight for this country if the need arises?
Reinstate the draft! Compulsory military service by every able-bodied person from age 18 until 25.
Maybe if some members of Gen Z saw the conditions in the rest of the world (via the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard), they would appreciate the country in which they live and the freedoms it has provided them. And, yes, you may quote me.—Marianne F. Halterman, Broadway, Va.
Prager Commentary Hits Home
Dear Daily Signal: We are writing to thank columnist Dennis Prager for giving voice to our confusion, disappointment, and loss. We are parents of two young adults, a son and a daughter. Suffice it to say, we have been completely rejected by our son for over a year.
In an effort to release the shame associated with becoming parents with an estranged son, we have found a measure of comfort in openly and honestly sharing our story. We were so appreciative of Prager’s recent Daily Signal article, “Why Many Conservatives Won’t Be With Their Children This Christmas,” though we are continually distressed by the increasing number of members in “our club.”
We sent our Christian, conservative son to an Ivy League school and three years later, said school spit out an unrecognizable young man. Our son married a woman from a conservative family and together they reinforced one another’s woke religion, including a move to the Pacific Northwest.
During a visit, a series of conversations initiated by us with, “The way to do life is straightforward and simple, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’” then moving into politics, deteriorated into a meeting of the minds that did not end well.
We were considered “unsafe,” primarily because we voted for Donald Trump.
We have spent the last two years struggling to wrap our heads around the question, “What happened?” We have doubted every decision we have made as parents. We repeatedly ask ourselves, “Have we been living in an alternate reality?” Though we are not perfect parents, we continually remind ourselves of what is good and true about our parenting.
Objective truth does exist … in God’s word. We continue to dive deep and immerse ourselves in his truth to seek understanding. Our most difficult challenge has become our most personally redeeming lesson. For this we are eternally grateful.
Additionally, we are immeasurably grateful for the freedoms that America entrusts us to preserve—a gratitude lost on a significant number of our young adults. Just as the father in the story of the prodigal son, we hold out hope for a future course correction in our family and all families that share in our unfortunate—still living it—experience.—Elise Olson
Scoring With a Stand on LGBT Pride
Dear Daily Signal: I read Tyler O’Neil’s article about Philadelphia Flyers player Ivan Provorov, who refused to participate in the ice hockey team’s gay pride night (“Christian Philadelphia Flyers Player Refuses to Wear LGBT Pride Jersey, Citing His Faith”). Thank God for somebody willing to stand up for truth.
Most of these hockey players would never want their family members to engage in the unnatural, unhealthy, and immoral LGBT lifestyles. Yet most of them (and the rest of us) lack the courage to publicly say what they privately believe.
Ivan Provorov is a brave soul who is willing to speak what most everyone else truly believes. Go, Ivan!—Randy Malcom
***
I salute Mr. Povarov! There was a time when Americans admired those who stand for truth according to God’s Word. I’m one who still does.
If only more of our sports figures had the guts to stand—like real men—for God and his Word.—Chris Hankins
This and That
Dear Daily Signal: Thanks to Diana Furchtgott-Roth for her commentary headlined “Do Chinese Donations Explain Biden’s Energy Policies?“
Finally, someone publicly discusses President Biden’s Sino-biased policies, which are an all-fronts demolition of the U.S. economy, energy production, and international standing.
From the $80 billion-plus worth of weaponry gifted to China’s newest colony, Afghanistan, by America’s inhumane, overnight exit to the U.S.-Russian War in Ukraine that is draining our military even further—and possibly Russia’s—the policies of Biden and his crew continue to benefit China catastrophically.—Susan Finegan, Milford, Ohio
Dear Daily Signal: Take a look at those pictured in Tyler O’Neil’s article who favor life, and notice how many are smiling (“47 of the Best Signs From the First Post-Roe March for Life“).
Look at the pro-abortion protesters and see how angry most of them are. Which do you think is better?
Thankful for my children.—John Wilkerson, Germantown, Md.
The Daily Signal publishes a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Heritage Foundation.
The post We Hear You: Defending a ‘Jesus Saves’ T-Shirt, Reaching Gen Z, and Sitting Out LGBT Pride appeared first on The Daily Signal.
0 Commentaires