Recent rainstorms must have unearthed a lack of sanity and clarity with the writings of some contributors to this column on Aug. 20.

To Mr. Sledz I offer a course in logic, as his description of innocent people perishing at ground zero omits the fact that Muslims and nationals from more than 70 countries were casualties, and they too were innocent. Also, the financial support for the mosque is still unclear and not in the hands of taxpayers.

To Mr. Snead I offer a question as to what freedoms Muslim supporters and others favoring the mosque are abusing? Is bias seeping through the rhetoric?

To Mr. MacDonald I offer an opportunity to visit Pinecrest High School and become informed of the ­curriculum instead of taking cheap shots toward the school without knowledge of the situation.

I had hoped that some of the thoughts spewed by the minions of the Republican tea party of obstruction would be revelatory. The cabal of writers indicates a trance-like inability to ­function. Perhaps a return to Canopus would refresh them. The atelier where they seem to construct the prejudice, bias, and outright nonsense is in need of removal.

I would suggest that all of the writers mentioned, plus anyone else who has vexatious viewpoints, contact Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota as to his outlook on life. You may gain a great bit of acumen when you learn that he is the only Muslim elected to our Congress; egad, what do we do now? They could always visit Joe Wilson, of the 2nd District of South Carolina, the “you lie” contributor and embarrassment to all.

The beat goes on, and to think that we semi-liberals agonized through eight years of heartache before we could seek relief.

Ron VanHoover

Pinehurst