Grandpa,
It is me, again, your most hated critic. You got too involved in your answer to the guy whose ex-wife was still using his auto policy, (in the January 11, 2018 issue of The Voice). A simple “Change your insurance carrier” would have been the best answer. Stop getting wordy on answers to the nerdy.
Grandpa says; My grand-daddy taught me that I would never reach perfection if I didn’t heed my critics. You are not hated. You are welcome to point out any error, should I ever happen to make one. Have you ever heard the saying about closing the barn door after the horse is gone? The writer in the January 11 column knows how to close a barn door. He was asking for help finding the horse. A bit of advice for you; The Voice has a poet who contributes regularly. One of the things I like about Richard Williams’ rhyme is that he never verbally bashes my readership, not even you. Ooops! Did I get too wordy, again?
Grandpa;
I am beginning to question your patriotism. Once again you wrote an article about the Koran. You claim to be a Christian American. You have what seems to be a very good knowledge of Middle Eastern religions. Are you a Muslim? If so, why do you and your people come here to America to spread your hate?
Grandpa says; Buddhism teaches us that holding on to hate is like picking up a hot coal to throw it at someone. The hater is the one who gets burned. I am a native born American. I believe in our God, the Creator. I believe he has expressed himself in many various denominations. How can I hate a whole religion that worships the same God I worship? I am familiar with the Holy Bible, both Old and New Testaments, The Quran, and teachings of Buddha.
Buddha teaches there are three kinds of people. One writes on rock, one on the ground, and one on water. The one who writes on rock is always getting angry and his anger lasts long. It cannot be worn off by wind, rain, or time. The one who writes on the ground gets angry, but the anger does not last. His writing is worn by rain, wind, and time. Imagine a certain person who, even though spoken to harshly, put down, and verbally abused, is easily reconciled and becomes agreeable and friendly, just as writing on the water quickly disappears.
I am sad for you, who seem to write your judgements on rock. To be hateful of individuals you have never met robs you of the joys of meeting new persons, developing diverse friendships, and sharing the gift of the true purpose of Christ’s incarnation.
If hatred and prejudice is what it takes to be patriotic, then I will not be a patriot. Most patriotic Americans that I know realize that those of every culture, every color, every faith, have contributed to the positive aspects of the United States of America. If you can’t wrap your mind around that, I pity you, greatly.
Got something stuck in your craw? Ask Grandpa. Address your letters to Ask Grandpa c/o The Voice, 314 N. Lake Street, Suite 2, Aurora, IL 60506 or send an E-mail to askgrandpa@thevoice.us.