To the Editor:

In regard to the Capitol invasion that took place [January 6]: Please include me in this public rebuke of anyone who has (in spirit or deed) torn down anything constructive that was created for good purpose by another person including reputation, organizations, physical institutions, and relationships. This we have done mostly by the power of the tongue and some cases (after the tongue) by the malignant power of physical violence.

Proverbs 18:21 puts it this way: “The tongue has the power of life and death...” Yes, it all begins with the tongue, by speech or the written word, expressing love or hate.

The injuries we inflict on others (either knowingly or unknowingly) take on many forms: lies by commission or lies by omission; exaggerations; minimizing and marginalizing; expressed caricatures of physical and personality attributes; over generalizations; bearing false witness; incendiary language from the Bully Pulpits of politics, media, religion, education, big business, and entertainment; unauthorized destruction of public and private property; physical intimidation; you name the rest…

Yes, it starts with me, with the power of my tongue to either build another up in love and respect or tear another down by hatred and disrespect… the power of the tongue!

May God bless our nation as we now move on to another chapter in the story of our Republic.

Donald H. Ramsey

3 Prospect Drive, Newtown January 15, 2021