A recent story regarding posters of national and state mottoes being displayed in schools was ended with a quote by Tom Horr, president of the Kiwanis Club of Portsmouth, saying the purpose of the displays was to “promote patriotism in our state and our nation.”

However, our state and national mottoes offer nothing in terms of patriotism. “In God We Trust” and “With God All Things Are Possible” are more of religious assertions than that of a patriotic dictum.

I believe a more fitting phrase would have been “Support Our Troops.” No matter what your religious belief or your opinion about the war may be, nothing is more patriotic than that of the men and women who fight and die for our country.

Shawn Blower

Lucasville

Saving historical Spartan Stadium is of great concern to citizen

I am greatly concerned by Portsmouth City Council's decision to offer to sell Portsmouth Spartan Stadium and Branch Rickey Park to Portsmouth City Schools.

I understand the motivation behind the offer given that the city is having major financial difficulties in providing needed services and maintaining the infrastructure of the city.

However, turning over a historic structure such as Spartan Stadium to the Portsmouth City Schools that recently announced plans to build a new sports complex is ill-advised - given that the Portsmouth City School system has no compulsion not to tear down any structure that is not deemed necessary.

Allowing Portsmouth City Schools control of the fate of Spartan Stadium is paramount to a death system for another link to Portsmouth's great history.

I think that offering to sell the stadium to Shawnee State or some other entity other than one that clearly doesn't have a need for it would be a better alternative.

I hope Portsmouth City Council will reconsider the offer.

Larry Mullins

Portsmouth

Reader says to love our neighbors and have love for one another In this present day conflict in the Far East, we have used super military power through technology - that may win a battle but not necessarily a war.

We have evoked so-called political diplomacy, which has faltered.

Has it ever crossed their minds to use love and compassion? The majority of citizens of this nation truly have compassion for the common citizens of these Far East neighbors. When they suffer, we also suffer with them.

The commandment Jesus left us was to love our neighbors with all the known energies in this universe. There is nothing more powerful than love.

The main source of peace among nations is the love and compassion that we share with each other.

Jesus, the Savior, said, “Follow me, the Prince of Peace” to teach us how to love our neighbors. It doesn't cost a thing to share our heart with another.

I Peter 4:8 says “and above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.

Robert B. Migneroy

West Portsmouth