I recently obtained a copy of your recent article "Chief Problem" (issue of Jan. 26-Feb. 1). I have to admit I was very amused by the cartoon drawing.
There are a few things that you need to know, since police officers only deal with the facts and papers such as yours print just about anything. Here are the facts.
1. Cleves Police do not drive tow trucks.
2. I do not wear glasses (as depicted).
3. All of the allegations were false.
4. Cleves is a village not a city.
5. Officers that submitted the petition will not be punished.
6. Officers that violated the order not to speak with the press are being investigated since you so informed us that they spoke with you.
7. Libel can be very costly.
In the future, please try and have all the correct facts before printing any articles on anyone.
Editor's Note: CityBeat contacted Chief Demeropolis by phone and by e-mail three times to request interviews for this story. He declined, saying the mayor of Cleves wouldn't let him comment.
All We Need Is Love
I write in response to your recent cover story, "Meet the Flockers" (issue of Jan. 19-25). I credit Gregory Flannery for writing an all-too-rare commentary of the role of religion and the G-word ... dare I say it, God, in our national political arena. The media's indifference to the subject doesn't change the fact that most everyone in the world is motivated to a great degree by their religious and moral beliefs or conscious disbeliefs.
Let me begin by saying that what lies at the core of the Christian belief is this simple principle: love. Love for all man, not just those who follow one denomination or another. In Christ's own words, "For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son, that none should perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). No legitimate discussion of Christ or his followers, Christ-ians, can begin and end without stating this fact.
Billions all over the globe follow Christ. There is no figure that has so influenced world history or events, period. A true follower of Christ would never rejoice in a homosexual or anyone else "burning in hell," as the trailer to your article seems to suggest on the contents page. It's entirely possible to hate the sin but love the sinner fully. This is the true example of Christ, and one of the most difficult to follow.
The outright dismissal of the much-media-maligned Fundamentalists — simply stated, those who believe the Bible is the fully true and the complete word of God (doesn't sound so menacing when correctly stated, does it?) — because of the ramblings of some misguided people identifying themselves by the moniker but not living true to Christ's teachings is a mistake. What's worse, the Orwellian tone with which the article is presented seems to suggest that there's a hostile takeover planned by people of legitimate faith.
With regards to Flannery's view of the secular nature of our nation's founders, there are serious factual inaccuracies too. True, Jefferson for instance did not believe in establishing a state-sponsored religious denomination, but he was far more interested in protecting the good of organized religion from the tyranny of strong-armed government than in eradicating religion and morality from public life in America. This view was typical of most all of the founders, close in time as they were to those who risked all to escape that tyranny. The founders were very careful to always reference the truth of God's word in their annunciations, to begin all major acts of governing with Christian prayer (a tradition that thankfully still endures) and to permeate the documents upon which our nation is founded with Bible-based values.
Christ offers the world peace, understanding, unconditional love, reliable truth, justice and eternal hope. No government can offer these even a fraction as fully as He can. Please do not allow the many imperfections of his followers to taint the message of hope to a world that desperately needs it.
I hope my remarks carry the spirit of love, not anger with them. God bless you and happy new year.
Correction
The "Swizzle" bar guide in the Feb. 9 edition incorrectly described the Take 5 Bar as a "strip club bar." The text should have said "strip mall bar."
