Letters to the Editor: Clothes make the man, woman ... whatever

Clothes make the man, woman ... whatever

Three years ago, I was barely aware of drag queens. I'm sure I had never heard of men dressing up as women in order to read stories to children in public libraries. Now it seems we have some sort of constitutional crisis if they're prohibited from doing so. I just have one question: Why?

A recent piece in The Sentinel pointed out that, for years, women have been dressing as men to perform at Tulip Time. This doesn't seem to bother anyone. I'm surprised that, in this area where the Bible is supposedly so well known, no one has brought up Deuteronomy 22:5: "A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman's garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the LORD your God." Women in slacks? But, wait, men used to wear robes. What pertains to whom?

By the way, before you get the name of Jesus tattooed on your ankle, or any such supposed act of devotion (I know people who've done it), consider Leviticus 19:28: "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD."

One name for taking verses out of context like this is "cherry-picking." You find a verse that supports your point of view on some subject, and it becomes your rallying cry, regardless of what it meant when it was composed all those years ago in a very different society. Several chapters in Leviticus (11, for example) prohibit the eating of shellfish. Maybe I should start a protest outside Red Lobster.

Albert Bell

Holland

A question for Republicans

Recently, all of Michigan's Republican members of Congress have endorsed Donald Trump for president. I would like to ask them and all Republicans, for that matter, to address three issues that rarely get discussed in print or on TV:

1. How can you support a man who, on Jan. 6, sat in his office watching TV and did nothing for 187 minutes? Isn't this treason, or at least dereliction of Trump's duty and oath of office? How can you support a man who betrayed his country?

2. Trump has promised to pardon most of the convicted insurrectionists from Jan. 6. Do you Republicans support this promise, and if so, why? I thought you were the party of law and order!

3. Trump's administration added almost $8 trillion to the national debt. How can Republicans support such deficit spending? Trump will never attempt to balance a budget, so by supporting him you were advocating more national debt.

Henry Idema

Grand Haven

Christ and government

I firmly believe in the separation of church and state. However, since the Ottawa Impact group on the board of commissioners frequently talk about their faith driving their decisions, it’s fair game for the rest of us to discuss faith-impacting decisions.

Christian teachers throughout history have said that being proud is a serious sin. In "Mere Christianity," C.S. Lewis wrote that as long as we are looking down on other people, we cannot possibly be looking up at Christ to ask for his guidance.

Jesus’ entire life on Earth embodied humility. He could have created a new kingdom in Jerusalem to fight against Roman tyranny. Instead, he humbled himself to serve others. He washed the feet of his disciples. He shared meals with the outcast and comforted the downtrodden.

Being a Christian literally means to become like Christ, to emulate his love, his service and his humility. It’s a nearly impossible task, but it’s something all Christians should strive for with his help.

I believe many of the commissioners are trying to do the right thing. But perhaps they should ask themselves that old question: “What would Jesus do?” Would he threaten to withhold funds from programs that would result in hurting the already marginalized? Would he assert his power to push through resolutions that aim to divide people rather than unite them? Would he ignore pleas for support from those who dedicate their lives to helping others? Would he look for “gotcha” words to justify an agenda of exclusion?

I ask our elected officials in Ottawa County to remember the words of Micah 6:8, “What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Marla Walters

Holland Township

An open letter to District 2 County Commissioner Lucy Ebel

As a long-time, tax-paying property owner and specific cause activist in District 2, I am very disappointed by the obvious deteriorating situation I observe in Ottawa County government which, in my view, is being caused by actions of the "OI Caucus" of county commissioners — including you!

The departure of Deputy Administrator Patrick Waterman is yet another blow to competent county government. Administrator John Gibbs’ total lack of experience in local government and his "management style" are obviously having a growing negative impact on Ottawa County operations. I am compelled to indicate my dismay about the future of our once proud, well-run, welcoming county. Historically, Ottawa County HAD been considered one of the best-run counties in Michigan.

Today, our county is becoming the poster child for what can happen when voter apathy/inaction allows a small group of extremists to take over the government. It is truly scary to watch!

Ottawa County, because of actions of commissioners like you, is in a downward spiral and no longer seems to be a well-run, fiscally conservative, customer-friendly place “where we all belong.”

Based on the recall being mounted against you — which I fully support — it is hoped that the "sleeping voter majority" has been awakened! Even if the recall is unsuccessful, due to the onerous constraints that prior politicians have put on recalls, hopefully, it will serve as a wakeup call to voters for 2024.

I should not have to remind you that you were elected to represent ALL of the residents in District 2 — not just the minority who may agree with some narrow points of view being promoted by an extremist ideological group (Ottawa Impact). As my elected representative, I expect you to use common sense, logic and facts — not pre-ordained outcomes dictated by Chair 1 or Chair 2 — to work toward appropriate solutions to real problems within the county, such as mental health needs and low/moderate income housing needs.

I harbor no ill will toward you personally, but the repeated lack of taking counsel from public input prior to the board of commissioners taking actions is not acceptable and a clear sign of a dictatorship, not a democracy "guiding" the board.

Richard Yutendale

Holland

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Letters to the Editor: Clothes make the man, woman ... whatever