Ok, now here is a scary thought...

On Gil's side

As a former Lancastrian, I have been subscribing to the Sunday News for many years. I thoroughly enjoy keeping up with the news and activities in my hometown, and always find the paper to be interesting.

What I find disturbing, however, are the vicious, vitriolic letters sent in by some folks, blasting the words of Gil Smart. In all the years that I've read Mr. Smart's articles, I can honestly say I have never disagreed with him on anything. I find his columns to be truthful and right on the mark.

Oh, just in case you're reading this, Mr. Newhard [Letter to editor, Dec. 16], who is the "other" village idiot you were mentioning?

-Jeanne Muehleisen Klein, Williston Park, N.Y.

Enough is enough
If you [Sunday News columnist Gil Smart] recall in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life," Jimmy Stewart reflects back on his life and questions what, if any, impact he made on the world.

Perhaps, in the same context, you should reflect on Christianity and the Christmas season in the same manner: "What impact does it really have; what is the significance?" Your zeal to see Christianity suppressed during the season ["Hegemony for the holidays," Dec. 2] would be analogous to extracting mankind's DNA; we would be reduced to organisms with neither a purpose nor a soul. Considering your weekly diatribes, I wonder if you have not already experienced this.

If you revel in the notion that Christianity's presence during Christmas should be diminished (as you indicate that it deserves), would that also apply to its presence during the entire year? During Katrina storm-relief efforts, Mennonite Relief Committee's exhaustive worldwide aid, food banks, transportation for the elderly, Water Street Rescue Mission and on and on and on. What would you propose as a substitute?

The greatest disservice here is irresponsible journalism, promulgating a twisted theory without a shred of credibility or intellect. Enough is enough; Lancaster doesn't need another village idiot.

-Daniel Newhard, Lititz