In 1960 the National Association of Evangelicals, Church of Christ, and other Protestants started a movement to prevent John F. Kennedy from becoming President. Their concern? The hoary old paranoid drivel that once in office a Catholic President would invite the Pope to come and rule over America. Kennedy allayed the concerns of more reasonable Protestants with a historic speech to the Houston Ministerial Association that endorsed the separation of Church and State, and rejected using political office to enforce Catholic doctrine. It may have won him the election.

Fifty-two years later, American Protestants have finally gotten over this nonsense. But in a way this is a bad thing. Many of them are wholeheartedly supporting uber-Catholic Rick Santorum for President, someone who, unlike Kennedy, fails to acknowledge any government restraint when it comes to religion. And who has a greater loyalty to something other than America.

What they need to know is that there's a very good chance that Santorum is a member of Opus Dei. He spoke at an Opus Dei event in Rome in 2002, in which he denounced Kennedy's landmark speech. Now for those who are not familiar with it, Opus Dei is a secretive cult founded in Spain by a Franco admirer. Their sick penchant for self-torture was dramatized in "The Davinci Code," a film that drew denunciations from an embarrassed Catholic Church. But this fictional film did not point out Opus Dei's political activities. In addition to pushing a reactionary agenda, Opus Dei has been involved in several instances of subversive plots to overthrow governments and install dictatorships. The overthrow of Allende in Chili (1973) with the CIA was their biggest "success." Their most recent failure was an unsuccessful coup attempt against Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. Now you can disapprove of Chavez all you want, but what would have replaced him would not have been a liberal Democracy. A Venezuelan Pinochet would have been more likely.

Note the colossal irony here. Protestants were in a paranoid dither that Kennedy would destroy our freedom and install a Papal dictatorship, when he had absolutely no intention of doing this. But they have no such concern about the sanctimonious Santorum, who is a likely member of an organization that does believe the Vatican should rule over us, and over the whole world. An organization that has a known affinity for Fascism.

A little bit of the old paranoia would be helpful here. But unfortunately, paranoids prefer to obsess about unreal enemies. Like Obama, the "socialist" "Muslim" with the "fake" birth certificate.

Sincerely,

Stephen Van Eck

Rushville, PA

How much longer must we wait until Main Street in Susquehanna is repaired? Must we wait until several emergency vehicles are fatally delayed by one lane of oncoming traffic? Must we wait until the “good side” of the street collapses under the weight of double the traffic it normally handles, including the increased number of gas drilling-related vehicles traveling through town? What are our elected and appointed representatives doing to address this issue? When will this problem, which has become both a threat to our safety as well as a daily inconvenience, finally be resolved?

Sincerely,

Chris M. Chacona

Susquehanna, PA

During a televised debate just before the Florida Republican primary, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was ridiculed. The justification for the ridicule was provided by his advocacy of an American “moon base.” After so many Americans take up residence on that base on the moon, so Newt went on to propose, they may then petition for admission as a state.

Just a few hours after that debate, Newt contracted the “vapors,” requiring revival with smelling salts. He had been informed by the Kenyan version of our National Aeronautical and Space Administration that his proposal was already reality. There had already been, for decades, a base on the moon. What’s more, sometime next year, the inhabitants thereon would be granted the status of citizens of a Kenyan province.

After being sworn to secrecy, Newt was shown President Obama’s true birth certificate. That man was not, as manifested by the Hawaiian birth certificate, a native born American. No!

Instead, President Barack Hussein Obama jr was born in the future Kenyan lunar province. That man is not an earthling. Rather, by being born on the moon, he enjoys the status of “Kenyan lunar alien.”

With some exceptions, Republicans are sensible, and would, out of hand, reject as preposterous the notion that President Barack Hussein Obama junior was born on the moon. For no particular reason, I find myself wondering about the number of those exceptions. Might, say, two million (2,000,000) be a reasonable guess?

Well, for the country’s sake, this is what I’m hoping is true. That just aforementioned guess is likewise preposterous.

Sincerely,

A Alexander Stella

Susquehanna, PA

How in the world can anyone out there really believe that this administration is about anything other than the power and control of every aspect of our lives? The latest headline, of course, is the Obama push to force Catholic institutions to compromise their principles or face serious financial retribution. Now that they have kicked the hornet’s nest, they are proclaiming a “compromise” on the issue. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is no free lunch. Someone is going to pay so you can have “access” to birth control pills. Who are they kidding? Anyone can obtain birth control pills. Federal government not required. It is just another handout, another rope across the chest of Gulliver to make us all dependent. An entitlement to entice you to vote for those who will take from Peter (others) to pay Paul (you). How can we be so incredibly stupid to buy into this, or are you OK with it? Is that what made America great? If he starts off saying “As I said before…,” you know that he’s lying.

This election will determine what sort of country we are going to live in. This administration has already bought at least a third of the electorate. This administration already controls the banking system, the housing market and is consolidating their hold on energy, your health and what your religious convictions may be. This is all fine and dandy if you are happy with some intellectual Progressive bureaucrat running your life. They truly believe that you cannot manage on your own (even though by your efforts, not the governments, we have become the most successful country to ever exist) and only they, residing in the seat of power, can provide for your prosperity and happiness (good luck). They will succeed if you do two things: depend of the media and Jay Carney to determine for you the truth and then believe what you are told. Do you really accept that elevating you to food stamps is an accomplishment? Is that all there is? Eight percent plus unemployment? Thirteen million unemployed? After three years at the helm? At this rate, ten of the thirteen million unemployed will still be unemployed in 2016 and too old to work. Here is something concrete you can do. Since the unemployment figures do not take into account all of you who are no longer trying to find a job, go to the unemployment office and start again. Help to make the unemployment numbers real. It can help. It takes time, commitment and even sacrifice to remain free. Do you have what it takes?

Sincerely,

Joe McCann

Elk Lake, PA

There is a purpose for every season under Heaven. For Heaven’s sake, why is President Obama dictating health and human services mandates that will force health insurance companies to cover contraceptives, sterilization and powerful abortifacient drugs for all policy holders? The overwhelming majority of Americans oppose it, at least at one point or another.

The administration with it’s health czars is proving to be a progressively democratic styled communist dictatorship, violating our Constitution, and enslaving the world with its “abortion on demand” propaganda.

At present, the U.S. heath and human services mandate provides no viable protection of conscience for any health care providers opposed to contraceptives, sterilization and abortifience. Cardinal designate Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said, “in effect, the President is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences.” The Catholic bishops of the United States have called this unrelenting demand of President Obama as, “literally unconscionable. Americans should not be forced to choose between violating their consciences and foregoing their healthcare. The government should not force Americans to act as if pregnancy is a disease, to be prevented at all costs.”

The health care industry, especially Catholic institutions, which provides one fifth of the nation’s needs, is outraged. Franciscan Sister Jane Marie Kleen, chairperson of the board at Franciscan Alliance, Inc., a system of 13 Catholic hospitals, said, “this is nothing less than a direct attack on religion and First Amendment rights. I have hundreds of employees who will be upset and confused by this edict. I cannot understand it at all.”

The main stream media, up until now, has ignored the issue of abortion. We are becoming ignorant, indifferent, tolerant, cold, testy, at times rebellious, and generally disgusted. Meanwhile, the gross inhumanity toward womanhood and unborn children intensifies. This information black-out is so destructive to women’s health that in Penn. the legislature must pass a “Right to Know Act.” It’s only fair that expectant mothers, and of course future fathers, can see their child at least 24 hours before an abortion is scheduled. 90% of women who have had an abortion say they were wrong. If the public only knew what they experienced during, and or after an abortion, we would earnestly seek to end the scourge of abortion that has now claimed 45 million lives, traumatized 45 million women (some have even died directly or indirectly as a result), and the loss of fatherhood to men.

Abortion is destroying our culture and integrity, plus we have a negative population growth. There was never a better time to stop this desolating sacrilege, it’s very simple. Follow the advice of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. Reinstate the 14th Amendment of the Constitution with a congressional “Life at Conception Act.” The would restore in the courts the personhood of every American citizen as created at the moment of conception, with inalienable rights. Let’s get our priorities straight this election, before it’s too late. Life counts, let us return our allegiance to the Creator, our families and neighbors. Let us repent of our evil ways.

Sincerely,

John Mann

Susquehanna, PA

The U.S., Europe, and Israel have declared a de facto state of war on Iran. America will no longer allow domestic businesses to purchase Iran's oil. Europe will sharply decrease importing Iranian oil. And Israel stands ready to provide military assistance and bases of operation. It is a tripartite pact to bring Tehran to its knees.

To understand why the U.S. is ratcheting up the rhetoric on Iran we need to go back to 2007. It was then that Iran announced it would no longer accept dollars as payment for its oil.

This has the potential to do to the U.S. and the dollar what the U.S. seeks to do to Iran and the rial. In effect, both sides are war, a currency war: the dollar vs. the rial.

To understand how serious the currency war is we must understand why having oil sales denominated in dollars is crucially important for the U.S.

The story of the dollar's rise to the world's most valued currency began in 1973. It was then that an agreement between the U.S. and the Saudi royal family was made. The U.S. offered military protection for Arabia's oilfields and the Saudis agreed to conduct oil transactions in dollars. Other nations followed suit.

From that fateful year, virtually all oil transactions were made in dollars. As the world's thirst for oil grew, so did its demand for the Almighty Dollar. Oil importers were forced to find ways to obtain dollars for present and future purchases of oil.

As long as the dollar reigned supreme as the medium necessary to buy oil, the American currency was coveted regardless of the U.S.'s crushing debt, high unemployment, and low GPD growth.

But if another currency could be used to buy oil, then less dollars would be needed. Oil importers would sell dollars to buy the alternative currency. Dollars would flood the currency market and its value would plunge. This would be catastrophic for the U.S.

Interest rates on Treasury notes would soar to attract buyers. Mortgage rates and interest on loans would follow Treasury's lead. Similarly, the price of imported goods - on which this nation is now dependent - could double. The economy would crumble.

This was the prospect that faced U.S. in 2003 when the leader of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, decided to accept euros for oil instead of dollars. Six months later the U.S. invaded Iraq and the dollar quickly replaced the euro.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi made the same mistake. He decided to switch from the dollar to the gold dinar. A Libyan civil war was instigated by the CIA. The U.S. and NATO aided the rebels with seven months of bombing pro-Gaddafi forces. In the end, Gaddafi and the gold dinar earned the same fate as Hussein and the euro.

The latest threat to dollar supremacy is Iran. The Persian state will no longer accept dollars for oil, only Iranian rials, Russian rubles, or dinars a currency used by ten nations. Since Iranian oil sales to Europe, India, Japan, China, South Korea, Turkey, and other nations, amounts to 1.3 trillion barrels of crude a year this represents a considerable threat to the dollar and consequentially to the U.S.

WW III begins. However, this is a war between the dollar and the rial. It is not fought with bombs and bullets but with sanctions and embargoes. Pres. Obama's latest sanctions are severely impacting the Iranian economy. The rial has lost 50 percent of its value against the dollar, unemployment is 12 percent, inflation rages at 20 percent, oil revenues have decreased, and the Saudis seem willing to replace Iranian oil.

On the Iranian side, many nations that rely on Tehran's oil show no sign of cutting back on importing its oil. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner trips to China and Japan to dissuade them from buying Iran's oil were rejected outright.

How this will turn out, which currency will win, the dollar or the rial, remains to be seen. While this drama plays out, the Russian ruble and the Chinese yuan wait in the wings destined to be onstage players in present and future currency wars.

Sincerely,

Bob Scroggins

New Milford, PA