Letter to the editor:

Watching human nature and pondering on it is one of my favorite pastimes. Political figures are the most fascinating and reprehensible at the same time. Senator John Kerry is perhaps the best example of someone who has either no regard for truth or believes as most liberals do that truth, objective truth, does not exist. Much of the country has arrived at this same conclusion. Truth is whatever you want it to be, for you, at the moment. I want you to ponder that for a moment. If there is no objective truth, consider the consequences just in our justice system. If truth is a constantly evolving (how do I feel about something at the moment) commodity, what determines it in the case of a criminal? If he is guilty of something like stealing some will say he had a deprived childhood and therefore it’s not wrong because he’s fulfilling a legitimate need — maybe food or basic needs. Once you start moving in that direction almost any behavior can be rationalized, including rape and murder, slavery and genocide. People who have committed atrocious behavior probably thought there were suitable reasons for doing what they wished. Slave owners, abortionists, Hitler, Stalin, people who are for gay marriage, Mao, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, you name them. What determines truth for the aforementioned? Think carefully. POWER. POWER. POWER. They have all gotten to their present or past condition by accumulating power. Usually by politics, propaganda and manipulation. Do you want to live in a world where truth and right and wrong are determined by a cadre of human beings who “know what’s best for you” and can use the levers of government force to make you fall in line? Wake up folks. Its already happening with anti smoking, hate crime and even seat belt legislation. It evolves primarily, when men (usually liberal) in power know what’s best for all of us. (Witness Al Gore with his obsession with global warming.)

So having outlined the dangers of trusting men with power what is the answer? Where to look for truth? Christ spoke the answer in John 17:17 when talking to God the Father. Was Jesus a liar? Then why would we mistrust what he said? We have this choice before us. Can we look to our political leaders for truth. No. They will tell us that “truth” is what will bring their party to power — theres that word again. The prism to examine what going on around us is the Bible, the Word of God. Not congressmen, judges, senators, the president or the Supreme Court. There is one and only one source of truth in this world of fallible men. Its available to all in this country. Use it — “and the truth shall set you free.” Do you want to be chained by lies either of your own making or that of others? Truth. It’s available to all in the Bible!

Marvin Van Haaften

Oskaloosa