Sidewalks needed

To the editor:

Sidewalks are not frivolous in our community. How benevolent it is of people with means and resources who travel in the comfort of their cars and trucks to concede that roads are important enough to fund and maintain but sidewalks are not.

It's my opinion opposition to the sidewalk project is born of selfishness. To disregard the less fortunate people among us, including the handicapped and children who need the safety of the sidewalks to ride a bicycle or operate a motorized wheelchair or just walk from place to place, shows a lack of consideration beyond my imagination.

I ask myself: "What kind of a self-centered, mean-spirited tightwad would dare to even express such a lack of consideration"? I suppose these are the same people who think nothing of blocking the sidewalks in front of their homes with their cars and trucks showing the same lack of consideration for their neighbors.

I commend the city (St. Cloud) for not sharing the narrow-minded sentiments of S.T. Smith by moving forward on completion of the sidewalk system throughout our community. The part I don't understand is why the costs for these sidewalks is not billed as a tax to whomever owns the adjacent property and made due when the property exchanges hands or undergoes improvement in order to differ any immediate burden to present day landowners. The only general taxpayer expense should be for sidewalks adjacent to city-owned property.

The essence of "community" should encompass the good of everyone, even the less fortunate among us. For this reason alone, these tax dollars are well spent. You would think those who disagree would seek a different place to call home with less "community" and more "seclusion."

Jerry Mobley
St. Cloud

Religious freedoms

To the editor:

Sunday, Jan. 16, was National Religious Freedom Day.

Many people throughout the country are taking this opportunity to give thanks to God for bestowing upon us a nation in which our ability to practice our faith is a legal right, as well as an inherent right.  However, those considering the Quran their Bible (Muslims) and practice this faith are a threat to every freedom-loving American (Infidels as we do not practice Muslim faith and Sharia Law) in this city, county, state and America. Any clear-minded individual who reads the Quran will tell you there are no statements of religious freedom or tolerance for any other faith except Islam.

For example: “If they (Muslims) turn back from Islam, (discard their faith) becoming renegades, seize them and kill them wherever you find them.” (Quran 4:90); “Believers, take not Jews and Christians for your friends. They are but friends and protectors to each other.” (Quran 5:51); “The infidels should not think that they can get away from us. Prepare against them whatever arms and weaponry you can muster so that you may terrorize them.” (Quran 8:59); “He has sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with guidance and the Religion of Truth (Islam) to make it superior over all religions, even though the disbelievers detest (it).” (Quran 9:33); “We reject you (infidels). Hostility and hate have come between us forever, unless you believe in Allah only.” (Quran 48:13)

It appears any Muslim stating the Quran does not speak of these and other atrocities is either a liar or extremely naive and has never even read their own Bible. It also appears the president of the United States that has been raised by, schooled in and espouses the “Holy Quran” (in his words), is at least laying the groundwork and/or participating in replacement of the U.S. Constitution with shariah. America is at war on many fronts, needs your prayers and Gods’ blessings.

Karin Murray
St. Cloud