Mailbag

"Who will vote?"

(April 21) The objections to voter identification laws have always mystified me. I have to show my driver's license to board a plane, put my zip code in the gas pump to use my credit card, and show my passport to enter the country. Voting is more important than any of these activities. This is not a racial or ethnic issue. This is about protecting the integrity of our system and thereby our freedom. Howard Eyrich; Birmingham, Ala.

A significant number of evangelicals may choose to sit out November's presidential election because they don't find Romney conservative enough or an evangelical. They need to realize that a "no" vote is as sure a vote for Obama and his myriad anti-Christian policies as is pulling the lever for him. Stephen W. Leonard; Colorado Springs, Colo.

"Intense isolation"

(April 21) I wiped tears from my face after reading your touching and insightful article on autism spectrum disorder, and how Lisa LeDeaux hopes finally to talk to Marcus in heaven. So many things from your article reminded me of a dear friend with a 6-year-old autistic daughter. I feel better equipped to support and pray for her. Sarah Pitts; Mt. Enterprise, Texas

We have a 7-year-old son on the spectrum. It is exhausting and overwhelming, both a blessing and a curse. He was "developmentally delayed" with a vocabulary of 50 words at age 4, but we found Christian neurodevelopmentalists who have given us and our son hope for his future. He now has great eye contact, can read on grade level, and carry on a reasonable conversation. It is definitely a labor of love. Lisa Neufeld; Anacortes, Wash.

You nailed the experience of parenting these children with this simple word: relentless. Truly God blesses us through our children but the challenges are numerous and the isolation can be great. Shannon Royce; Falls Church, Va.

"Second opinion"

(April 21) Thank you for the interview with Dr. Ben Carson. As a retired general surgeon, I applaud his keen analysis and insight into how to cure our healthcare woes. Jacob W. Scheeres; Venice, Fla.

I read Carson's book, Gifted Hands, and hardly any other story has moved me so much. He is my hero. As a nursing student I have seen firsthand that to be a good doctor one has first to be a good man. He is a good and godly man and we so desperately need more of them to become doctors. Hannah Marie Renner; Eagle River, Alaska

Carson is an admirable man with thoughtful things to say about healthcare, but he gets the role of private insurance exactly wrong. He wants government to be responsible for catastrophic healthcare and private insurance to cover the routine. We don't get car insurance to cover oil changes. Health insurance should cover the catastrophic, while individuals pay for routine things out of tax-advantaged health savings accounts. That's how we'll restore market discipline to healthcare pricing. Kevin J. Kennedy; Eaton Rapids, Mich.

"Desperately seeking Pulitzers"

(April 21) I couldn't agree with you more about bias in the Associated Press. I haven't subscribed to a newspaper for years because the AP stories are just paraphrased DNC press releases. Richard Asper; Marshfield, Wis.

You characterized AP's deputy managing editor as an honorable man. But given his statement that the lack of Christians in the news business is not an issue, I view him as at least disingenuous. Staffing at AP and the media in general are so lopsided against conservatives and Christians that common sense dictates that they should be better represented. Thomas Sandlin; Liberty Hill, Texas

"What an atheist looks like"

(April 21) I found this article insulting to atheists and professed Christians alike. If an atheist went to a rally for Christians and penned an article labeling the attendees as lacking reason or simply "lost," they would be wrong and self-righteous. Timothy B. Robinson; Des Moines, Iowa

The five flags at the atheism rally-equality, charity, compassion, diversity, reason-were the marks of first century churches. No wonder those churches turned the world upside down. If the church in the 21st century wishes to do so again it will put these things into practice. And perhaps convert a few atheists. Roger A. Faber; Westminster, Colo.

"Bedroom politics"

(April 21) When the government begins inventing "rights," it is only a means to control (or tax) the public. Democrats and progressives have interjected themselves into our bedrooms and every other area of our private lives in the name of protecting the "rights" they have created, and to counteract God-given freedom and rights. Gloria Beidler; Sutherlin, Ore.

"The breathless trumpeter"

(April 21) Our proper national role is to protect ourselves and the world against despotism. The people concerned, whether in Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan, must do their own nation-building. We should have been very explicit about offering allies a limited period of security in which to achieve a functioning government, with a planned and certain departure followed by substantial but conditional support. David Hillquist; Arcadia, Mo.

"Wins and losses"

(April 21) The urgent and difficult stories Mindy Belz tells us about Christians under persecution all over the world are one of only a few links we have to these brothers. The reminders bring us to prayer, call us back to our eternal perspective, and force us again to put our trust in a sovereign God. Jennifer Neubert; California, Md.

"Compared to what?"

(April 21) Joel Belz noted that the Senate leadership hasn't passed a budget in three and a half years. He could have added that the president chooses not to enforce laws he doesn't like, such as the Defense of Marriage Act. The common thread? Both ignore their oaths and their responsibilities to uphold the Constitution. Clarence Grafton; Lynch Station, Va.

"Raising up scholars"

(April 21) I greatly enjoyed the article and especially this quote: "Everyone deserves opportunity, no one deserves success." But I noticed that none of the nine children in the photo of students attending this elite private school were boys. As a teacher working in more ethnically diverse schools, I've noticed boys falling by the educational wayside in a system dominated by women and often more geared toward girls. I hope boys get an equal opportunity to excel. Kelly Gerlach; Gakona, Alaska

"Reconciliation"

(April 7) It was good to see a follow-up interview with Laura Hinson, who produced the documentary on Rwanda. Reconciliation takes time but thank God it can happen. Joan Grabill; Xenia, Ohio

"The gardener"

(April 7) Wow. I began reading and felt like I was being swept away by the tide. This is really good stuff. Don Kuhns; Bakersfield, Calif.

"Tax time humor"

(April 7) I so enjoyed the fun Marvin Olasky poked at editors. It's been a really long week during which my computer crashed and I may have lost much information. At any rate, your column lightened my mood. Ann Williams; El Cajon, Calif.

"Animals as idols"

(March 24) I agree that some people wrongly value animals above humans, but some people see pets as completely disposable. I volunteer with an animal rescue group (mostly non-Christians) because that is the passion the Lord has placed on my heart, and I am routinely embarrassed by the poor witness of my Christian friends who surrender their pets for convenience. Betsy Nesbitt; Asheville, N.C.

WORLD around the world

San Lucas Sacatepequez, Guatemala Submitted by Tim & Vivi Oberg

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