The Detroit Press, printed in The Colorado Springs Gazette: The danger of erecting monuments to men is that they stand on clay feet. Many Americans who have long been admired as geniuses or heroes are now under unforgiving scrutiny for offenses that might disqualify them for public honor. Few are passing muster. They were human, after all. And as the Bible tells us, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." There are no perfect men or women. But there are individuals who have made enormous contributions to the progress of mankind despite committing offenses that by today's standards are irredeemable.... Perhaps for some their sins are so great they are undeserving of monuments in the public square. That's the danger of deifying mortals. Few will be able to measure up to the expectations of future generations. |