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Quell religious bigotry now

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published November 8, 2006

Re: Muslim bashing sets off furor, Nov. 1

This is about a letter sent to the newspaper from Mary Ann Hogan, the wife of Tom Hogan Sr., a Hernando County commissioner appointed by the governor in August to fill a vacated seat on the  County Commission. Mr. Hogan agrees with his wife’s assessment of Muslims.

I am a registered Republican, and I ask the governor to remove Mr. Hogan from this position posthaste. His assessment of and agreement with his wife’s statements are not the opinions of respected Republicans in our country. This bigotry and religion bashing should be quelled immediately.

Mr. and Mrs. Hogan also should be removed from representing the Republican Party in Hernando County, as they do not speak for or represent the qualities needed to be spokespersons for the GOP.

- E.H. Jordan, Brooksville

Muslims deserve public apology

I am appalled by the offensive comments made by Commissioner Thomas Hogan Sr. and his wife, Mary Ann, in reference to Muslims in our community. Although Mrs. Hogan has the right to voice her opinion, Commissioner Hogan has sworn obligations to represent everyone in our community fairly and without any prejudice.

The Muslins in our community deserve a public apology for these disgraceful comments. If Commissioner Hogan is unwilling to apologize, then an immediate vote of censure is in order by the commissioners to condemn these outrageous, bigoted statements.

- Anna Liisa Covell, Nobleton

Faith is a motive for terrorism

I am saddened, but not surprised, that Mary Ann Hogan’s comments about the Islamic faith have left the Hernando community “aghast” and resulted in calls for the resignation of her husband, Commissioner Tom Hogan Sr. While indeed inflammatory to moderate Muslims and Christians, they have not said anything that is inconsistent with Islam as it is presented in the Koran.

We live in a society that happily picks and chooses our Christian or Muslim values, ignoring or downplaying the hatred, judgment and violence that permeate the holy books of these two religions. Although I depart from Tom Hogan in his statement that “all terrorists are Muslims,” I challenge the offended segment of the Hernando community to find an alternative motive for major terrorist attacks against America. Overwhelmingly, the base motive is religion, and until we as a society recognize this and are willing to criticize the irrationality of faith, we will continue to validate fundamentalism throughout the world.

- William Klinger, Tampa

Mary Ann Hogan is correct

To all the ones who objected to Mr. and Mrs. Hogan to exercising their freedom of speech:

I’m amazed at the lack of knowledge of all concerned. Not one of this group took the time to research the Muslim religion, or they would have had to support Mrs. Hogan. Mrs. Hogan was correct in citing the church and state argument.

I commend both Mr. and Mrs. Hogan. I’m not Republican or Democrat; I belong  to the Veterans Party.

- Alfred T. DeVault, Brooksville

Speak out with common sense

Re: Recent articles about the Muslim community and Mr. and Mrs. Hogan:

It’s time for Americans to speak out with common sense and throw political correctness to the wind. As a 16-year resident of this community, please know that I’m not the least bit taken aback or offended by the Hogans’ honesty. If everyone who has been so horribly traumatized by this blown-out-of-proportion issue would just step back and use their good old common sense, it might very well change your opinion.

I have to agree completely with the Hogans’ remarks because I, like them, have read of not one terrorist incident that wasn’t led or carried out by Muslims. These Muslims that you so adamantly support with your liberal rhetoric, and for whom you would sell out your country, consider you an infidel and the devil, and the radical side of the Muslim religion would kill you and your family in an instant with absolutely no remorse.

I do agree that not all Muslims are radical Muslim terrorists. But I would ask the question of those who aren’t terrorists that if your religion is so loving and wonderful, then why are all terrorists of the Muslim faith? I would venture to say the majority of Americans would like to have an answer to this question.

The right we have to speak our minds is one of our most precious rights, and shame on those politicians, liberals and intellectuals, locally and nationally, who forget this. Also, if our local leaders think for one minute they represent us with their political correctness, shame on them again.

I owe my allegiance to God and country, and not the Muslims or liberals of the world. It doesn’t matter to me what your religion or ethnicity, if your allegiance is not to this country, then please leave.

- Carl Pilcher, Brooksville

It’s time for Tom Hogan to retire

I’ve never felt compelled to write a letter to any newspaper, but I read about the ignorant and appalling letter by Mary Ann Hogan in the Nov. 1 issue of the Times and felt a need to respond.

Mrs. Hogan’s words in this letter, as condoned by her husband, Commissioner Tom Hogan Sr., showed a lack of tolerance and knowledge that no one in public office in this country should have. Seeing that the Hogans, “the leading Republicans in Hernando County,” have been active in politics since the 1960s, what was their stand on the civil rights movement?

The Hogans are stereotyping a whole religion for one small fanatical faction. To say that all Muslim people are killers is to say that all Irish people are drunks. I am an Irish-American and far from a drunk. Let us not forget the Oklahoma City bombings were carried out by Americans.

My brother fought as a Marine in Desert Storm. He saw many friends come home injured or in body bags. Being from New Jersey until recently, I stood on the cliffs of Atlantic Highlands and watched in terror as the Twin Towers fell in New York City. I know many people who lost loved ones in this act of terrorism. To blame a whole group for wanting to “kill all of us as infidels” is just plain ignorant. Do not forget that unless you are an American Indian, someone in your family, at some point, left their country for a better life in America.

As for the county monies spent to drop off four children’s games for a Ramadan party, I wonder how much county time and money are spent on the Christmas Parade in downtown Brooksville each year? Probably more than $200. (Not that I would have it any other way!)

As a taxpayer and voter, I see no reason why a group should be barred from making use of county facilities and benefits, as Dr. Adel Eldin does with his annual health fair and at great expense to himself. As a prominent Muslim, Republican and cardiologist in Hernando County, Dr. Eldin has saved many people of all races, religions and creeds. Mr. and Mrs. Hogan, if you were lying on a hospital bed today, he would do all in his power to help you.

The Hogans are entitled to their opinions, no matter how ignorant and uneducated they are. This is America and because we are a free nation, we can say what we please.

I do think that it is time for Tom Hogan to retire from public life before he causes himself and the Republican party any further embarrassment.

- Christopher J. Casey, Spring Hill

Hogan right to ask questions

I have to agree with the Hogans that the crux of the letter sent to the newspapers that has caused such an uproar questioned the validity of the use of county employees, time and materials for a private religious event. Mr. Hogan, as a county commissioner, had every right to question such use of tax dollars. By Parks and Recreation Director Pat Fagan’s own admission, sending county employees to help with a religious event had not been done in the past, and now he says he’s not going to do it again.

The stifling of free speech is beginning to affect even Hernando County. Non-Muslims are becoming increasingly frightened to say anything critical about Islam. Indeed, at even the mildest criticism comes a frenzy of blind anger and intimidation from even moderate Muslims, who are, however, conveniently quiet when it comes to condemning the radicals who have stolen their religion of peace. Unless we start hearing some denunciations from the quiet moderates regarding the radical insurgents and extremists who are not only killing our troops but are also killing their own, there will always be distrust.The Hogans are right; county personnel or materials should not be used for any religious purposes, no matter the religion, or the promised donation, and I am surprised that county administrator Gary Kuhl saw nothing wrong with this use of county resources.

- A. Goodwin, Spring Hill

Hogans have tainted county

As the director of a nonprofit organization in our community I make it a point to abstain from political and religious affiliations publicly due to my responsibilities to my organization. But I have a personal limit. I am writing this letter as a citizen of the United States and a resident of Hernando County, momentarily divorced from my organization.

While I am appalled and devastated by the actions of terrorists, I cannot sit silent while a county official advocates such a hateful platform. I am ashamed to say I live in a county where Tom Hogan Sr. is allowed to retain his commissioner’s seat after espousing such bigoted and prejudicial remarks. He is entitled to his beliefs, but he has proven he cannot represent all of our residents fairly and is intent on turning us against one another.

People are people; most are good and some are terribly evil. Our jails are filled with Americans of all faiths who have committed horrendously hateful crimes. Yet we don’t condemn all Americans. Hate of any kind is the source of terrorism. Look at Ireland. They are not Muslims and yet terrorism has run rampant. It is hate and intolerance, pure and simple, that cause such tragedies.

I believe Mr. and Mrs. Hogan have tainted our county, our state, our country and the Republican Party with their hate. As a public servant Mr. Hogan certainly does not represent me, as I am sure he does not represent the majority of our residents.

We have many wonderful Muslim residents who have worked hard and contributed much to make Hernando County a great place to live and a community to be proud of. I wish I could say the same for the Hogans.

- Joanne Schoch, Spring Hill

We don’t know opinions of others

The guy at the corner store, how does he view the Iraq War?

What does he think of the Hogan fuss? Does he really plan on killing us?

Is he really part of a ruthless mob? Or, just like us, a working slob?

- John Albert, Spring Hill

[Last modified November 8, 2006, 10:17:25]