bransonglobe.com OPINON • LETTERS Continued from page 4 I would also like to throw my support to the Ole Seagull’s letter to the editor regarding the wearing of facemasks. We have also visited a number of restaurants in Branson where employees are not wearing masks and we have told a number of them that we would not be back until they are. Without exception they have ignored the advice as if they do not care about their customers health and welfare. This will be the case until the Branson does something officially. I have exchanged a number of emails with the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen stressing this very point and received nothing but excuses and reasons why this couldn’t be done. This MUST BE DONE and should be MANDATORY in every business open to the public in Branson, Hollister and all of Taney County. Richard H Carlile Hollister Flag Staff Stand Gazing through the window… flag staff is loose; it’s leaning, not standing. Such troublesome news. Lately she’s folded, my flag has been bound. She’s flying no longer but held to the ground. With all of her honor and highest of bars. No stripes will be showing just the blue and the stars. The stand has been damaged; staff torn from her base. The pole has been dipping it dips in disgrace. “Dipping “Old Glory” would bring her dishonor. The flag- staffstand- is dipping, so I detached her with honors”. I stare out my window “oh” gazing so long, complaining and whining; who did this wrong? The pole is still there. It’s straight and still strong. But loosed from her base, how long? “Oh”, how long? Who broke the two loose, the base from the pole? Who pulled her down from her honorable role? Pointing my finger at a dastardly few, pointing my finger at whoever and who, what seemingly matters, what’s seemingly true, I looked in the mirror and find it is you. Was I standing up strong? Did I hold to her grace? Or... Was I sitting while holes were dug at her base? So many lives were given at “rockets’ red glare”. We’d all understand, if we all had been there. Needing concrete, rock, and some sand. Needing Americans to help my flag stand. God is her refuge! God is her base! God is the Father who restores her to grace. She’ll fly with the Eagle, she’ll fly once again. If we stand for honor she’ll stand once again. So, who stands for honor? Whoever and who? You there! In the mirror, is that American you? Lindel Ray Gore, Sr. Hollister Editor, If you feel you need to wear a mask… wear one. your mask, and your It’s your face, choice. That’s fine with me. If you own a business and feel you should require all of your customers and staff to wear a mask inside your workplace, do it; it’s your business, run it your way, OK? That’s also fine with me. Please don’t become a “mask bully” and assume that I’m being defiant, inconsiderate and uncompassionate because I don’t wear one. Here’s why; I CAN’T wear a COVID19 mask, whether it’s N95, cloth, surgical, bandana, or whatever. I’m a disabled veteran plagued with Emphysema and Pulmonary Fibrosis. I struggle constantly to breathe and process oxygen. My Pulmonary medical caregiver says in my particular case, wearing a mask will restrict my breathing and can cause unnecessary stress and further damage to my lungs. So I’m actually under doctor’s orders to avoid wearing a mask. A SEE LETTERS, PAGE 11 July 3 - 4, 2020 • 5
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