Jefferson John Gets His Say

To read the origins of this post

Jefferson John starts here;

What, Olsen's even turning to conservatives to help improve his image in Jefferson?

Olsen, a Democrat who is constantly reminding us locals that "This hand just shook the hand of the Governor" or Herb Kohl or whoever else will let him into their office, doesn't base his opposition to Wal-Mart on a deep affection for Federalism.

As any political operative knows, this can change with the wind (or the voices in his head, or undocumented phone calls, or imaginary surveys) and no one can accuse you of flip-flopping if you're only doing What The People Want. Olsen has a long history of opposing public examination and public influence over the economic development process in Jefferson and Jefferson County. Where's the "local control" and goodness in that? All this is documented on my community web site.

Free Will responds;

Whew, the anger, the vitriol...all this, coming from someone who writes a couple thousand words based on oodles of hours of legal research extolling the dangers of placing a Christian cross in an old folks home.

(Which can be found here)

I've never met Mr. Olsen, and if I left you with the impression I am anti-Wal-Mart, then you were too busy formulating your next rant and not absorbing the words on the paper.

A few of your objections and observations should be applauded, however, your stumbling musings reminds me of the blind squirrel; even he finds a nut every now and then.

Let go of the heated rhetoric and put your mind in a peaceful place. I know an old folks home where they'll let you sit to absorb the grace and comfort of Christ.

If not there, then go to Vinnie's Rock Bottom and tell him I sent you.

Jefferson John can’t let it go;

...My mind's already in a peaceful place, thank you. And thank you for at least reading my web; Xoff didn't seem to.

If you read my Countryside page as closely as you'd like me to read yours, you would see that I opposed the use of public funds for a cross and altar, as well as placing it out in the open on the wall of the multipurpose room.

I think they needed to be a bit more considerate of everyone's right to free expression and religious worship.

The greatest affirmation of my position came from a Countryside resident during the public forum. She asked when they were going to get a Catholic cross... because to her eyes, this one was decidedly too Lutheran and not a Catholic crucifix. Her request was ignored.

OK, Free Will is starting to enjoy this;

No one, anywhere, should have their right to free expression of religious worship limited, including those at Countryside who display a Christian cross.

People like you and Annie Laurie Gaylor who demand keeping all religious symbols in a lock box are soulless snobs.

But, I will defend your right to be soulless snobs.

Public money has always been used to some degree in the ecumenical arena -- from the GI Bill that sent many WWII soldiers to Catholic universities, to job training grants given to the Salvation Army.

It is you and your kind who put-up a stink every Christmas when the local library displays a Manger scene that drives me and my kind insane.

I commend you on your intellectual arguments, however, for me, it is a gut check. Or, more accurately, a heart check.

In your heart, you know fighting over the legal subtleties of religion in public life is not converting anyone; certainly not Congress, who begin every session day with a prayer.

Relax. And if you feel so passionate about this and the Wal-Mart issue, go run for office. Subject yourself to the court of public opinion.

Stay tuned for his rebuttal below. I just hope this guy isn’t an ACLU attorney. I may be defending the Church for months.