To the Editor:
    In her rebuttal to Democratic columnist Celia Murray’s June 11 words about the terrorism of hate crimes, and more specifically, the murder of a physician who legally supported women’s decisions concerning their own bodies, Brenda Thompson of Rutledge espoused an ideal that Democrats hold so dear – being “thankful for the freedom to express” our views.
    We are all more alike than you think, Brenda.
    Another rebuttal author, Pat Gillespie, might want to actually read Celia Murray’s other columns before she uses such language against her. It is a shame that a visitor from a distant county would listen unquestioningly to her like-minded friends here and then publicly bash a resident of what she calls “beautiful Historic Madison.” Celia Murray recognizes another Democratic principal at play here – the inclusion of varied views, their debate, and the respect of those who differ.
    She has “always advocated a CIVIL dialogue about controversial topics, believing this to be the cornerstone of a democracy.” 
    The Morgan County Democratic Committee could not be more proud of the fine Democratic model that Celia Murray renders in her superbly researched and well-articulated columns. We are all sincerely appreciative of her works and hope that Brenda and Pat will continue to read them. 
Patsy Harris
Chairman,
Morgan County Democratic Committee
Via e-mail 

To the Editor:
    Regarding your article "Taxpayers shocked at re-evals", I read with anticipation, then utter disappontment. 
    Neighbors and friends, like me, had our home values adjusted upwards.  These homes had already been properly valued last year. 
    According to Robert Shiller, of the Case-Shiller index, home values nationwide dropped approximately 30 percent during the Great Depression. 
    The Case-Shiller 20 city index shows that as of June, 2009, home prices have dropped over 30 percent from 2006 levels. 
    The question that your writer did not ask or address-How in the world can Madison home values go up while the national average shows a decline worse than the Great Depression? 
    Maybe your reporter could check home sales in Madison for 2008, and compare with appraisal values? 
    The article did not inform much-please try again.
Carlos Serrate
Madison
Via e-mail

To the Editor:
    The Morgan County Retired Educators Associators would like to give a big and heartfelt thanks to Rena Holt and the merchants of Rutledge and Madison for the items that filled a beautiful basket for our State Conference on May 6 to May 8, 2009.  This basket was used in the auction sponsored by the History Committee.
    Again, thanks and we hope we can count on you all again.
    You just don’t know how much that meant to us.
Clarice Woods
President, Morgan County Retired Educators Association
Via e-mail

To the Editor:
    Regarding the letter from Dave Belton, I would like to illustrate his economy with the truth, replacing principle with political bias.
    Mr. Belton stated, “our President who told adoring masses in the Middle East that whatever we once were, America is no longer a Christian nation.”

To the Editor:

To the Editor: