Sometimes the letters to the editor columns in newspapers tend to give credit to Walter Cronkite's remark that he wasn't sure we were smart enough to choose our leaders. Actually, he said he doubted that we had enough education to elect our leaders. I substituted the word smart because I read the letters to the editor in a number of newspapers.

Letters are a crucial part of newspapers and editors should do their best to make sure the letters they choose to publish cover the whole spectrum in positions and philosophies. Many of those letters do encourage deep thought on important matters, and some provide valuable information. And some are funnier than Lou Costello trying to find out who's on first.

I don't remember what paper it was in, but recently I read one letter concerning the start of the new school year. The writer bemoaned that kids would again be lied to as teachers taught evolution but would not be allowed to teach creation. How life (universe) started is an ongoing debate that gives us a few moments to ignore the present modern day efforts to destroy life.

The debate against the so-called evolutionists and creationists is a favorite subject of writers of letters to the editor. On the other hand it as ridiculous of a debate as is the one on whether the egg or the chicken came first. Methinks some people think that evolution means Darwinism. Darwinism is the theory. But comparing today's football and basketball rosters with those of 50 years ago makes a pretty strong case for some sort of evolving society.

In another letter I read recently, the writer wrote, "This is a Christian Country, not a socialist one."

But I can find a number of passages in the New Testament that are certainly socialistic. Methinks that too often some folks think that socialism and totalitarianism are the same. Socialism is an economic system, not a political one. Public schools, public libraries, public parks, public charities are socialism.

This is not a Christian nation. It is a nation with many people who are Christians, or at least claim to be. While Christian and Christianity are not mentioned in the Constitution our government may have been founded upon Christian ideals despite the fact we are spending a lot of money on killing our enemies instead loving them.

P.S. I can also find passages in that same New Testament in favor of private enterprise.

Then there was the letter that appeared  this past week that I had been expecting ever since President Obama invited a couple of folks to the White House to discuss a conflict over a bottle of beer. The writer was terribly upset to hear that the President allows beer to be kept in the White House, let alone invite some citizens in to enjoy a bottle.

Some folks think that Old Nick is sitting with anyone who is enjoying a cold one, even the guy who just came in from mowing the back yard. Of course, it is sinful to drink too much beer but it is also sinful to eat too much fried chicken. And I see spare tires, some the size for bulldozers, on people who never drank a beer in their lives. I guess some folks think Jesus changed the water into lemonade at that wedding in Cana.

Incidentally, that letter appeared in a paper that once a week on its food page, runs as column on beers.

I really hesitated writing this column for fear it would discourage folks from writing letters the editor. Most such letters are intelligent discussions. In all forms of discussion, written and spoken, even intelligent people occasionally come up with stupid statements and stupid people occasionally come up with intelligent statements.

So, in the words of the guy on radio use to say, keep those cards and letters (to the editor) coming.

Trivia Time

What was Mrs. (First Lady) McKinley's nickname? Answer to last question. The Chinese started to shoot off fireworks to ward off evil demons.

Contact George Frasher at 337-238-3433, or email frasher@cebridge.net.