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All of our elected officials should strive to represent our citizenry in an even-handed, fair and impartial way. Just do the right thing for the right reasons without favor or affection for any special group. After all, he, the giver of liberty, is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11) He beholds all with an equal eye.
This precept equally applies to Iran as well as America. The eyes of all nations are riveted on the misdeeds taking place in Iran.
Iran's citizenry simply seek liberty. And in the words of George Washington spoken in 1788, "Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."
The seed of liberty has been planted in Iran, watered with blood and cultivated with an even greater desire to govern themselves for the common good, not for the benefit of the elite.
At such a time and as the citizens of Iran flee in terror from tyranny, they look to see if America cares, if America will respond, and not only how, but who will respond.
America, the beacon of hope for the world and now most especially for Iran, is once again poised for greatness. How will we respond? "God grants liberty only to those who love it and are always ready to guard and defend it." Daniel Webster, 1834.
Now is the right time to do the right thing for the right reason.
Our leadership must respond and condemn the tyranny in Iran. The eyes of the entire world have seen and now look to America for leadership. God bless America.
William Sykes
Gainesville
Mayflower Cafe was center of activity in Gainesville
I read Johnny Vardeman's article of the Mayflower Cafe (June 14). I enjoyed it very much because it brought back fond memories for me. This is dedicated in loving memory to Mary and Bass Garrison.
My parents operated the Mayflower for Jimmy Caras from 1956-1959. We had our living quarters in the upstairs of the huge restaurant. I can recall the regular customers, like the Elvis lookalike, Ronnie Stargel, and little Shorty Smith. It was popular with the Gainesville Police Department. I can only remember one name, James Harper, because he would bring by his German shepherd to visit. When Western Auto came out with their new model bikes, they asked my brother, Terry, and I if we would model them for The Times.
I remember the Greyhound buses stopping by and many people getting off to eat. I didn't know until much later when mama told me about the Christmas night that Brenda Lee was a guest at the cafe. She was returning from her first TV appearance on "Stars of Tomorrow," a program much like "American Idol." Other stars they met were Little Jimmy Dickens and Bill Anderson.
There were banquets held there, baby and wedding showers, the place seemed to always be buzzing with excitement. My brother and I would peek through the thick velvet curtains that divided our living space from the restaurant from time to time to see what was going on. Our playground was the Gainesville Square.
Many changes started to take place after it was closed in 1960. I don't recall when they tore it down, but nothing was ever the same down on Main Street.
Sheila G. Oliver
Gainesville
Times should abandon suit
Re: Times/city lawsuit: The letter was given to The Times. The victims' names were blacked out, but the city has offered to give the names to The Times with a request that the names not be printed in the newspaper.
Please take the letter, which completes your request for the Open Records Act. Choose to be a newspaper of quality, not a gossip rag sheet. I have really tried to understand how it would help your story or us as readers, and I cannot come up with anything
Spending money on this court case is such a waste of resources just to victimize these people again in our newspaper.
Claudine Jones
Gainesville