What you’re saying: Matthew Anscher, Rob Ransome, Ariana Mangum | Raleigh News & Observer

Rooting for Duke

The fact that the state hired such a homophobic, heterosexual supremacist harridan as Margaret Spellings to run UNC in the first place is the best case for taking all education out of the hands of the state, especially higher education.

As a gay man and a survivor of unspeakable physical and emotional abuse as a child at the hand of public school officials in this very town, I will be rooting extra hard for Duke this year and every year until she is fired or UNC’s charter is revoked, whichever comes first.

Not the answer

A recent letter seemed to advocate for stricter gun laws – to feel safer.

Perhaps she would be more secure where the gun laws are very strict – like Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; New York; Chicago; San Francisco or Los Angeles? Maybe even Mexico City?

Why do I keep reading that where gun laws are least restrictive and more people own them, that crime seems to be much lower? Assault guns? Firing fully automatic? Very few of those out there.

What the ‘12’ stands for

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. The carol “The 12 Days of Christmas” was a catechism song for young Catholics.

The song has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality that the children could remember. The repetition helped to memorize the song.

My True Love refers to God, the Partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments.

Three French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues.

Four Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

Five Golden Rings refers to recalled the Torah or Law, the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch”, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.

Six Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation.

Seven Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

Eight Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes.

Nine Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

Ten Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments.

Eleven Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles.

Twelve Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed.

So now you know.

Why kill ‘gators?

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s plan to consider an alligator hunt is an ill-conceived notion all around.

According to news reports, the basis for the commission’s consideration is that when biologists went looking for alligators by taking boats through the swamps in the middle of the night, they saw a few more than expected. So if we see some animals, we must automatically kill them? Alligators are a threatened species in the state. What will killing them accomplish?

Furthermore, the commission wants people to kill the alligators with harpoons, bows and arrows, and wooden clubs. That kind of cruelty harkens back to the ancient Roman Coliseum when men tortured animals to death for public amusement. The proposal is for nothing more than unimpeded cruelty exacted on animals whose only “crime” was being spotted in their natural environment. And let’s not play ignorant of the obvious: Stalking alligators through the swamps and attempting to kill them will undoubtedly result in human injuries, and possibly even casualties.

Alligators seek to avoid contact with humans. But if we go looking for trouble, we shouldn’t be surprised if they give it to us.

The wrong emphasis

This time of year bothers me by its strong emphasis on commercial profit. Christmas is a religious holiday not a shopping spree. It’s a time of reflection and hope that in this terribly upset world with nation fighting nation that there will be peace.

We need peace and hope for a future that will allow people to prosper and to find happiness. We don’t need any more hatred; we have seen enough wickedness and killing.

Its not about getting things and fighting in stores for them. The baby who is born at Christmas was poor. He had no proper bed only a manger and swaddling clothes. Yet he brings peace. Look to his coming as a time of hope and reconciliation.