Commissioners have a right to offer prayers of their choice
I am offended by the ACLU’s position that prayers are unconstitutional. I do not believe that since colonial times the people of Rowan County have been acting without regard to the U.S. Constitution. Prayers are a right of both commissioners and the people. Elected officials may pray to the God of their choice for his blessings on the life and business of the county. Again, the ACLU has established that they are far outside the American mainstream. Minorities have limits on the right to affect majority actions. I appreciate the mature responses of our commissioners. As Commissioner Coltrain said, “We’re not supposed to be doing it for pomp and circumstance …”
— Mark Beymer
Salisbury
Zealots are at work again
After reading his words in the county commissioner prayer battle, with the ACLU again trying to limit free speech, I conclude that Mr. Raymond Coltrain is by nature a compromiser. Put a little bit of pressure on him, and he’ll fold right up. That is useful information, which I will consider carefully at the next election. I’m from Blackwelder Park Baptist Church; we reserve folding for chairs, handkerchiefs and recipes.
I vigorously disagree with the ACLU, but one has to give this microscopically small minority credit for standing on what they believe. Look at how this determined group of intolerant zealots has circumscribed free speech and turned the First Amendment 180 degrees from the Founders’ intention.
— Stephen A. Owen
Kannapolis
War against Christianity
It is time for Christians to take a strong stand against the likes of the ACLU. They have no authority — neither does the government — to say what should or should not be said in prayer! God’s higher moral law is supreme, and it does not matter even if the law changes, God does not change!
Founding Father George Mason said, “The laws of nature are the laws of God, whose authority can be superseded by no power on Earth. A legislature must not obstruct our obedience to Him, from whose punishment they cannot protect us. All human laws which contradict His laws we are in conscience bound to disobey.”
If anyone dislikes a prayer in Jesus name, he or she can leave until after the prayer, just like I would do if I did not want to hear a prayer in the name of Allah, etc.
There is a war against Christianity in America, and the church had better start standing for Christ at all costs; even if it means going to jail or even being killed for it!
— Gary Frye
Concord

Preserve the Constitution
As a conservative Republican and “ultranationalist and super patriot” as Sanford Silverburg chooses to call me (Feb. 16 letter),  I am very proud of my belief in the U.S. Constitution as it is written. Unlike the “world order, patriotism challenged” liberal Democrats,  I see our Constitution as a set of rules to live by and preserve. It is not the “living document” that the liberals want to make of it. It is not to be changed or reinterpreted for political expediency. In fact it’s primary purpose is to protect us from a government that may want to do that very thing, by enacting laws that circumvent our right as citizens.  
 We do not want a commander in chief who looks for loopholes in our Constitution, cowers and bows to third rate dictators, apologizes for our country on foreign soil, emasculates our military and spends money we do not have on any group that can deliver votes for his regime. Nor do we need Supreme Court justices telling other countries that our Constitution is flawed and should not be used for a model.
 We must be constantly vigilant of our Constitution continuing to mean just what it says, or the narcissistic gnomes of nihilistic knowledge  in the faculty lounges will turn us into another Greece.
 — Joe Roberts
Salisbury
Dr. Joseph H. Roberts is a retired professor, dean and college president.

Some advice for voters
As anyone with access to any form of “news” media is aware, the upcoming elections will be highly charged, politically rancid events.  And then there is the Democratic convention coming to Charlotte, just to “ad nauseam” to the calendar.
Those same media savy types will also be cognizant that our wonderful U.S. Congress currently enjoys a paltry 10 percent approval rating. So much for an honest salary for an honest day’s work. Nine out of 10 members of this governing body (serving at our pleasure for the good of our country) are deemed to lack public approval for their conduct of our business.
So, how do we fix this mess?  Do your homework. As November approaches, make a list of the candidates in your voting jurisdiction who are currently serving (incumbents.) Remember their names when you vote and vote against all of them. Send a clear message that enough was enough long ago, and now we, the people, are going to fix what they would not.
There are 33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats up for election in November. Eliminating 468 incumbents will send the strongest message possible to Washington and anyone there that falls under the legislative banner. Enough is enough!
It does not matter whether Democrats or Republicans are elected; it matters not which party controls the Senate or the House. It does not matter who we elect president.
What matters is the mandate,heard loud and clear, even by those 67 senators not up for re-election: mend your ways, govern for the good of our country’s present and future or you, too, will be gone.
Thus government service in these two chambers will be legislative service, not politics.  And that has to be what our forefathers envisioned in the very beginning.
Think about it folks; make that list and take it to the voting booth in November.
— R.S. Leonard
Spencer