Is “Book of Daniel” a realistic portrayal?
NBC’s “Book of Daniel” is a general put-down of religion and doesn’t begin to portray a sincere Christian life. A strong Christian exhibits deeds of kindness and compassion, will help the poor, build houses or feed the homeless. A Christian reaches for a higher standard rather than focusing on the lowest common denominator.
While it is true that there can be some dysfunction within the church, the purpose of a Christian life is to weed out our weaknesses and ask for spiritual strength to overcome any abuses such as anger, selfishness or addictions.
But NBC portrays each character in “Book of Daniel” with a flaw: a pill-popping Anglican priest, a marijuana addiction for his daughter, alcoholism for the wife, a gay lifestyle for the son, a manipulative and authoritative father to the priest who is a bishop and a female bishop who may have adulterous designs on the bishop. How more dysfunctional could you possibly portray these characters?
Let’s hope the public rejects this TV series on the grounds that it is degrading and a mockery of Christian values.
Bonnie Scheid, Littleton
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I approached this new program with a great deal of skepticism. After watching both initiatory episodes, I found absolutely nothing disrespectful about its contents. The story line is well written and the characterizations are well acted, even though Jesus seems just a bit “light in the sandals,” if you know what I mean. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
I hope this series continues successfully, even though it needs some honing of over-the-top characters. The adopted Asian son is a loose cannon who needs his wings clipped. He is far too arrogant, immoral and insensitive, and hopefully he will be taken down a peg or two.
As to the knee-jerk objections to its being aired, there will always be a few squawking, Bible-waving religious fascists who want to control what the rest of us see, read and practice. Enough with the “family values” hypocrites and their honking, braying herds.
Joseph F. Pennock, Victor
Barriers for medical malpractice claims
Regarding medical malpractice claims, Gov. Bill Owens proposed in his State of the State speech, “Let’s make the system work better for all parties and pass a law this year requiring an expert in the field to sign off on a case before it can move forward.” Where did he get this sinister idea?
How is it better for anyone but the defendant to have a plaintiff’s case prejudged and possibly dismissed by an unelected “expert” who’s not a member of the judiciary? Would it be better for all parties if patients were screened by nurse practitioners before they were allowed to see a doctor?
What’s needed is review of insurers’ rate increases, not patients’ legal claims. It is high time we stopped giving insurers an unbridled license to pillage the medical community.
David Hakala, Denver
Home insurance rates
Re: “Federal backup sought to pay claims; Insurance pool pushed against,” Jan. 8 business news story.
This article only begins to address the real issue. In the three years since the Hayman and other forest fires of 2002, my homeowners insurance premiums skyrocketed more than 50 percent. In the previous four years, my premiums increased less than 20 percent. This is not a result of my home’s risk increasing, nor any change in coverage or underwriter, and despite the fact that I have filed zero claims since purchasing the house. It’s a direct result of those fire losses. There is zero forest-fire risk in my area, yet I pay for homeowners who choose to reside in areas that represent high fire risks. Why should city/suburban homeowners subsidize people who elect to take on those risks?
The discussion should not be whether government subsidizes those who choose to reside in high-risk areas, such as flood plains, forested areas, and those at great risk for hurricanes. I’d enthusiastically vote “no” on that. Rather, let them pay the true costs of home-ownership.
Vakil Cary J. Polevoy, Centennial
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