Letter: In appreciation of Andy Rooney

Dear Editor:

I don’t often write a letter to the editor, however, I have to write in support of a broadcast by a man who I admire for showing the courage to say what the majority of people are thinking — but are afraid to say for fear of being politically-incorrect.

I enjoy watching 60 Minutes on CBS and one of my favorite segments has become Andy Rooney.

Please share this article with your readers because I know there are others who feel the same way that “Andy” and I do.

William J. (Bill) Lennon Sr.
St. Augustine, FL

William J. (Bill) Lennon Sr. is a Historic City News reader and owner of Bill Lennon’s Home Inspections. He and his wife, Judy, have been married over forty years and live on Anastasia Island. Lennon owned Bill Lennon Suzuki dealership in St. Augustine for many years. Lennon served 10 years as city commissioner, 2 years as President of the Northeast Florida League of Cities, 2 years as chairman of the Planning and Zoning board and 1 year on the code enforcement board.

Andy Rooney says:

I don’t believe in Santa Claus, but I’m not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don’t agree with Darwin, but didn’t go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his Theory of Evolution.

Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what’s the big deal? It’s not like somebody is up there reading the entire Book of Acts.

They’re just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.

But it’s a Christian prayer, some will argue.

Yes, and this is the United States of America and Canada, countries founded on Christian principles.

According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1.

So what would you expect — somebody chanting Hare Krishna?

If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.

If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.

If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.

And I wouldn’t be offended. It wouldn’t bother me one bit.

When in Rome . . .

But “what about the atheists?” is another argument.

What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We’re not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that’s asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!

Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don’t think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world’s foundations.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing — now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.

God, help us.

And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue me.

The silent majority has been silent too long. It’s time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn’t care what they want. It is time that the majority rules!

It’s time we tell them, “You don’t have to pray; you don’t have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don’t have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right; but, by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer