A Very Busy Week in Milford

This was a week packed with activities and today I would like to express my thanks to all those volunteers who organized the Housatonic River cleanup on the 3Rd. of May. I would also like to mention the Bass fishing contest (also this weekend) that was full of family fun and the great Quality of Life programs I love to hear about, and lastly something I would like to write a little more about the "Respect" program that is expected to "kick off" this month behind the Milford library. This great event has been the topic of many newspaper stories.

These news stories, i.e. the CT Post story, invoked something in me that I would like to share about the authors description of our towns "Respect" program. But before that I would also like to mention that I appreciated my step daughter being enlightened with the motivational speaker who spoke to the student body, she found the experience very positive and uplifting. She liked the fun manner in which issues like "bullying" were addressed. My thanks to all those who made that event possible.

On the other hand, what I was somewhat concerned about, was the article in the CT Post that spoke of this program in the context of division between the ideology of some intolerant Christian Churches, and went so far as to use the word "Homophobes." The article also mentioned a body of growing support for gay teens.

The reason I mention this is because I felt the Post article dicotomized and divided a very honorable event into opposing factions, and then without directly saying so left a "good guy", "bad guy" feeling. To be perfectly clear about why I bring this up, I personally do not "respect" or support divisive school politics nor do I support the social engineering of our children. I believe that kids should be free to decide for themselves about how they wish to think and also they should feel comfortable enough to speak out without fear reprisal. Parents should encourage free thinking, as part of raising their kids.

Personally I do not judge anybody based on their religious views, creed, or personal life preferences, I have my own irrelevant opinion about life and publicly the pursuit of happiness of all individuals, whatever that may be, is what I support. I also support freedom of religion, and the right to express our thoughts as we see fit. So no one gets lost here and to summarize the bottom line I will quote (Matthew 5:43-47 )

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?

FYI I am not very religious, but this is one of my favorite quotes.