[Hac-announce] Gov. Rubio's Speech last night

[Dan Blinn]

I was really bothered by Governor Rubio's introduction of Mitt Romney last
night.  The following is an excerpt from his speech:

But America was founded on the principle that every person has God-given
rights. That power belongs to the people. That government exists to protect
our rights and serve our interests.That we shouldn't be trapped in the
circumstances of our birth. That we should be free to go as far as our
talents and work can take us.  We are special because we've been united not
by a common race or ethnicity. We're bound together by common values. That
family is the most important institution in society. That almighty God is
the source of all we have.  Special, because we've never made the mistake
of believing that we are so smart that we can rely solely on our leaders or
our government. * **Our national motto is "In God we Trust," reminding us
that faith in our Creator is the most important American value of all.*

While I disagree with most of what he says, it is the last sentence that I
find truly offensive, because Governor Rubio says that because I do not
believe in a creator god, I cannot be a good American.  Below is a letter
that I have submitted to the Hartford Courant (in my own name, not in the
name of any organization).   If anyone feels as I do about this, I
encourage you to submit your own letter to your own local paper, and please
let me know if you do.  I'm happy to review drafts and make suggestions to
anyone who needs help. Please do not copy (or borrow too liberally) from my
letter, because it is the Courant's policy to not accept letters that are
submitted to multiple publications, and I do not want to jeopardize  my
ability to be published there in the future.

Text of letter:

*In introducing Republican nominee Mitt Romney, Florida Governor Marco
Rubio said, “faith in our Creator is the most important American value of
all.”  A recent Pew Center poll showed that 19% of Americans have no
religious beliefs. That means that nearly 60 million Americans, in Governor
Rubio’s view, lack the primary American value and, implicitly, cannot be
good Americans.  Yet, many of these millions of nonreligious millions serve
in our military, teach our children, coach youth sports, and volunteer in
our communities.  Governor Rubio’s comment was divisive, hateful, and
contrary to the First Amendment right bestowed upon all Americans to
worship as they please, or not to worship at all.  *


Dan Blinn

860 324-3533
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