CONTROVERSY OR NOT?
The following message was forwarded to me by several people, along with Representative Medina's response. I have posted it in its entirety, only deleting Mr. Garcia's personal information. Also posted are messages that I have received in response.
Please read and reply below. All responses will be forwarded to the legislators.
Original Message From: "HenryYahweh@***.***" (translation: Henry God)
Sent
To: All City Council Members and the Mayor
Subject: Gene Roddenberry Freeway
Wednesday, April 16, 2003
Dear Sirs:
Reading an article on page 1B of this mornings' El Paso Times left me absolutely speechless. The article states that Texas is likely to rename 1-10 after the creator of Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry. I don't know what kind of staffs you folks in the legislature have but I can tell you that if this gets passed, it will create the biggest stir since Chagra had the judge killed. Are you aware that Gene Roddenberry was as anti-Christian as you can get? As I write this, I am having more information e-mailed to me from Oregon so that I can present a more complete picture of Mr. Roddenberry but allow me to give you a taste of what's coming:
Gene Roddenberry, the now-deceased creator of the Star Trek movies and TV series, was "brought up in a Baptist household . . . went to a Baptist young people's Christian Association . . . [but] spoke negatively about all religions, especially Christian[ity]." Rodenberry was convinced "that the human race is an infant God . . . [and] that he was God."
Originally appeared in the Christian News, April 10, 1995, p.24 but was requoted in a book by Dave Hunt, Occult Invasion , Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR., 1998, p.346). (click the link for more information)
In addition to contacting every legislator representing El Paso County, I am contacting Texas Monthly, the Austin Statesman, the El Paso Times, El Paso, Inc., Greg Freyermuth, all the city representatives, the county commissioners and the hundreds of Christians that receive my monthly newsletter including dozens of pastors and rabbis.
I strongly suggest that you pull that bill from the state legislature or be the laughing stock of the nation.
Enrique (Henry) Garcia, Jr. Clint, TX 79836
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Response from Larry Medina, City Council Representative and Mayor Pro-Tem
Mr. Garcia:
Thank you for your e-mail. In the past few weeks I've spoken to several of my colleagues here in our City Council, one of our State Representatives and several constituents. All have expressed similar alarming concern over renaming a very important part of our infrastructure for someone that was merely born here but never did give a second thought to our great city. We have dozens of current and deceased El Pasoans that have sacrificed so much for our city that truly deserve such a great honor. To use this venue of honor to "promote tourism" is a great disservice to our people. I hope that our State Senator and State Representatives place value on what many is the "silent majority" feelings reference this issue and reconsider postponing at least for the time being until they get the true feelings of the majority of El Pasoans. Today's article in the El Paso Times mentioned that this issue is "noncontroversial". I agree with you Mr. Garcia in the feeling that if El Pasoans knew about the intention to rename I-10 they would be up in arms. I ask our Senator and State Representatives to reconsider renaming I-10, at least, until the next session. This will give ample time to study and/or poll your constituents wishes. Thank you for your kind attention.
Sincerely,
Larry M. Medina Mayor Pro Tem City of El Paso
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Please post your views here. Please - no name calling, no swearing, no personal attacks. That is why Mr. Garcia's personal information was not posted - he is welcome to read your resoponses here. Mr. Garcia has a right to his opinion, as does Representative Medina. So do you. That is paramount in our society, and one of our most cherished freedoms. All direct, clear, and concise views with reliable, researchable, and verifiable information are most welcome. Remember one of the basic rules - if you don't have facts that can be proven, then it is only an opinion. If you quote, please give the whole quote and where you found it, and how many other places it might be. You may leave as much or as little personal information as you like. You may also directly respond to the legislators themselves by clicking on the appropriate link. All legislators; House Committee; Senate Committee; El Paso
Thank you for your participation.
POSTED REPLIES:
AJ from Canada
Saying that we should not rename the highway because Gene Roddenberry was 'anti-Christian' or 'anti-religion' is almost RACIST! His beliefs are his own, and he has just as much a right to express them as you do. Are you saying that a Jewish or Islamic person would also not be allowed to be remembered? Are Christian's the only people in the world that matter? I find your Religious persecution of Gene Roddenberry is Disgusting.
AJS from El Paso
Someone from Clint has a problem with something inside the city limits? And for someone who calls himself "God" - isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? I admire his timing - the Holy Weekend. And the fact that he quotes without quoting the entire passage - what is missing in those ellipses that might change the meaning of the quote? Sounds like a kook to me. Name the highway - Gene is still El Paso's most famous son! And, at least the naming would be after a native son - unlike some of the other major named highways in the City.