This is Viewpoints for Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016

Switzer confused

Were they not so disturbing, I would have to laugh at a reader’s recent comments about Dearborn, Michigan (Gilbert R. Switzer, “New World Order,” 10/26). Switzer describes the city as a “Muslim enclave” where “police, sheriff and other law-enforcement persons are not allowed entry,” the result, he claims, of an invasion of Muslim refugees. He urges the skeptical reader to “get on your PC” to learn more about this Muslim “city-state.”

Because the city Switzer described sounded very little like the one with which I am familiar — I grew up less than 40 miles from Dearborn — I followed his suggestion. I found no credible evidence that the city no longer abides by the state’s laws, administrative codes, or constitution (all of which prohibit the “Muslim enclave” Switzer describes.) Yes, the city has a large Arab American population — nearly 30 percent according to the 2000 census — but a sizeable number are the descendants of Lebanese Christians and Armenians (also Christian) who settled in Dearborn in the early 20th century to work in the automotive industry. I also learned that Dearborn’s residents support important institutions such as the city’s public schools and transit system, and for 91 years have held one of the country’s largest Memorial Day parades to honor military veterans and their sacrifices.

From where, then, does the Dearborn Switzer describes in his letter come? Apparently, it is a hoax created in 2013 by the satirical website National Review, which states clearly that its “news” is fake. Unfortunately, less thoughtful news outlets and political commentators confused fiction with reality and reported on Dearborn’s transition to a “Muslim enclave” as fact. In doing so, they created misinformation that does little to further understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims in this country.

Not going to happen

On Wednesday, Gilbert R. Switzer wrote a letter concerning a Muslim city-state in Dearborn, Michigan — a Muslim enclave where police, sheriff and other law enforcement personal cannot enter, and, by implication, U.S. law has no enforcement. That would be very scary if it were true.

You may remember in January 2015, Steve Emerson reported on Fox News that a similar situation existed in Birmingham, England. The prime minister of Great Britain, David Cameron, was livid. Again, this was just not true, and both Emerson and Fox News had to apologize to both Birmingham and the UK. The Michigan situation is no more true than the story about Birmingham.

Some of us can remember when President Kennedy was elected. There were fears that the pope would be dictating American policy through Kennedy. This did not happen. Kennedy said our government is ours to run, not the pope’s. Our Founding Fathers devised a strong and functional system able to continue without take over by other faiths.

We can have faith that our system is strong enough to continue, if we do not destroy it ourselves. In this time of fear and divisiveness, we need to listen deeply to one another and find common ground.

Bringing history to life

Thank you for the beautiful picture of Latasha Price portraying Eady Beecher on the front page of Thursday’s Telegraph. My brother and I attended the event last Saturday evening and had the opportunity to see Eady Beecher. Price did a remarkable portrayal of this notable person of history. She just put so much emphasis and feeling into her character’s story that we felt like we were truly witnessing Beecher telling her own story. A big thank you to Phil Comer as well for taking the time to research this history. How many other stories have been lost to time that need to be told? Thank you again for this wonderful story and these beautiful pictures.

Halloween costumes

I get it. You were working in your lab late one night and didn’t remind your youngest vampire to watch his cape near open flames. Accidents happen. That’s why it’s so essential to choose costumes labeled “flame resistant.”

Costumes can ignite in as little as three seconds. Yet flame retardants receive relentless criticism from internet activists, with some actively campaigning against the safety feature in Halloween costumes. Deliberately avoiding flame retardants when children are guaranteed to run around dozens of open flames while clad in dinosaur tails and oversized capes is utterly irresponsible.

“Flame retardant” refers to the ability to inhibit fire from spreading. Numerous substances can achieve this effect by disrupting combustion, creating a physical barrier, or releasing water or flame-choking gas.

Manufacturers don’t introduce chemicals haphazardly. Compounds like flame retardants were carefully developed and tested because society professed a need for them. And with the recent passage of the Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act, the Environmental Protection Agency has greater power to regulate chemicals that scientists prove to actually introduce an unreasonable risk to society.

Instead of fearing chemistry this Halloween, embrace the mad scientist in you and appreciate the advancements science has afforded to contemporary life.

Do our part?

Just some thoughts on “draining the swamp” and term limits. Donald Trump is vowing to drain the swamp in Washington if elected, including those of his own party. Trump also is pushing the idea of term limits. It seems that Sen. Johnny Isakson supports Trump’s agenda. Wouldn’t it make sense for us to do our part and not send Sen. Isakson back for a third term?

There are even a couple more reasons we might not want to send the senator back. One has to do with the definition of insanity — doing the same thing and expecting different results. The second has to do with the claim Sen. Isakson makes about voting against the Affordable Care Act more than 60 times. Maybe, 59 of those times could have been used more constructively fixing what needs fixing instead of just saying no without an alternative recommendation.

This story was originally published October 29, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016."