Each week I look forward to reading the “Pastor’s
Podium” in the Ellsworth County Independent-
Reporter. I find that no matter who writes the column,
I usually learn something more about Jesus Christ and
am usually inspired to do more seeking. I was disappointed
to read the Sept. 8 column. It was basically an
anti-government screed. We as Americans are free to
express our thoughts on our government, pro or con.
But when that expression contains blatant falsehoods,
it becomes dangerous propaganda. This column had
two outrageous falsehoods.
The first falsehood was the allegation that the
Pledge of Allegiance had been removed from our
schools because of the two words “under God.” I do
not know where he got this allegation but it is a lie. All
three of our schools USD 327 recite the Pledge of
Allegiance daily at about 8 a.m. There is no law or rule
that they violate when they do that.
The second falsehood was the allegation that we
have a government where the President cannot even
use or speak the name of God. Again I wonder where
this allegation comes from. Both former President
Trump and President Biden heavily publicized their
faith during their campaigns for the office and both
did and have emphasized their faith in God during
their terms in office.
It is our right to criticize our government for things
that we think are wrong as the writer of the column
did when he said that a woman had been appointed
“for the office of Supreme Court Justice.” That is a fact.
If he thinks it is wrong that is his right and it is my
right to disagree if I want to. But it is dangerous to
make false allegations and rely on them for your opinion.
When we discuss the pros and cons of what is
going on in our government, we need to be doing so
from the same basic set of facts.
In our present situation in this country, there is an
alternative fake universe that many people are living in
and using that as their basis for attacking the government.
We cannot survive as a constitutional republic if
this continues to grow as it has. I am somewhat
uncomfortable criticizing statements made by a man of
the cloth, but I feel that we have stood by for too long
without calling out statements like these.
Thank you,
Ron Svaty
Ellsworth