As most Georgians know, on Nov. 13, Gov. Perdue, along with some high profile Atlanta preachers and a number of duped lay people, assembled on the steps of the Capitol to pray for rain.

Granted, Scripture does indicate that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. However, in my opinion, if all the righteousness possessed by this prayer group was atomic energy, there wouldn't be enough to blow Gov. Perdue's nose. Only a true politician could conceive and have the guts to gather a group of people under the guise of praying for rain at a time when it's smooth cloudy and all prognostication, from the Farmers Almanac to the National Weather Service, is predicting rain.

As I listened to the religious rhetoric and watched the comical gestures of supplication, I was reminded of how ineffective the prophets of Baal were in their vain attempts to bring fire down from heaven to consume their sacrifice. The only thing that seemed to be missing from the governor's attempt to bring rain down from heaven was hysterical shouting and ritual blood-letting.

The governor and other like-minded people seem to believe that what little rain fell in the area was an "affirmation" of their prayer efforts. However, I am a firm believer that science and skills all prevail over superstition and ignorance. Therefore, as The Times reported on page one of the Nov. 16, issue that "Cold front brings rain to Georgia," not prayers for rain.

So in the future, all you Elmer Gantry rainmaker types pray for cold fronts. By doing so you will be killing two birds with one stone. In addition to replenishing North Georgia's water supply to the point where industry and developers can resume the rape and plunder of our communities, you will be doing your part to help solve the "global warming" problem.

William P. Clark
Flowery Branch