Poor, pitiful Al Dale. We haven't heard from him in a long time, but I see he's crawled out of the woodwork and still spouting his atheistic philosophy.

It seems he isn't too fond of evangelical Christians nor missionaries. He refers to them as "meddlers who disrupt people's lives and scare their children," when in fact these people take the good news to foreign lands at great personal sacrifice, and in many cases their lives are in danger, but they keep going because they have heard the call of our Savior to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).

It also seems Al hasn't done much research on the beliefs of our founding fathers, because there are numerous quotes of many of them attesting to their faith in God. One that readily comes to mind is a quote by the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Jay, who stated that, "Americans should choose Christians to be their leaders." This is one with which I wholeheartedly agree.

What is so pitiful about Al and all other unbelievers is that, if they wait too long to change their philosophy, it is too late to do anything about it. I have never seen a dedicated Christian who was sorry they became a follower of Christ or did not enjoy the new lifestyle and was unhappy with it. I have, however, talked with backslidden Christians who regretted their backsliding.

If it should turn out that there is no God -- but it won't -- the Christian has lost nothing. We have enjoyed our lives being a believer. But when the atheist finds out too late that there is a God, he has lost everything.

Keep up the good work, Ted Oglesby, and keep Al laughing. The joy he gets on Earth could very well be all he ever gets, and that is so pathetic.

Bethel Midgett
Gainesville

Voters, send a message to Hall County officials
Why didn't the taxpayers hear of Jim Shuler's sweetheart deal? Imagine the Hall County administrator making more money than the vice president of the United States. This happened after Hall County commissioners compounded this outrage by rehiring Jim Shuler with even greater benefits.

Shuler had his chance right out of Georgia Tech. It's time for him to step aside and let other young talent go to work. Let's show them what we think in November!

Nancy Karr
Buford (Hall County)