Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Issues have us feeling bedeviled

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, March 20, 2003 | 8:17 a.m.

Can't you just hear old Satan having a good belly laugh these days?

What with the threat of war involving diabolical weapons, former allies divided, the spread of nuclear facilities, religious hatred and distrust of neighbors, the devil has to be happily cavorting in the hot place.

Even Mother Nature appears to be on the side of evil with droughts, floods, forest fires and earthquakes. Children are starving and their parents are dying of AIDS and other devastating diseases.

The world, literally, is in one hell of a mess.

Probably the least of all these catastrophes is the movement in the United States to eliminate God as much as possible. The Pledge of Allegiance is being protested for the phrase "under God." Will our currency be next?

Prayers in public places, including schools, are being attacked by vigilantes who toil under the banner of separating religion from government. One has to wonder if that is their real agenda.

I suppose the separation can be construed as right and legitimate, but the idea doesn't send me into a paroxysm of fear and immediacy.

Probably because this octogenarian is a dedicated prayer person.

From the time I and my siblings learned to talk, we were taught to say our bedtime prayers.

"Now I lay me down to sleep" is a nightly ritual.

My good mother did change the last lines of the old children's prayer from, "If I should die, before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." She didn't like the reference to death, so our prayers became, "Thy love be with me through the night and bless me with the morning light."

Prayer has been a part of my life forever, so the current anti-prayer trend does not have my sympathy -- although I recognize the movement will be successful in eliminating invocations and benedictions at public functions.

With a little effort, I believe a universal prayer could be written that would include all races and religions joining in one massive plea for peace on earth and good will toward all. Such a prayer would wipe the smirk off Lucifer's face.

Meanwhile I offer my prayers to all those that are being said for the valiant young men and women who will carry the burden of battle.

Friends of Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt are dropping hints that she is taking a good look at running for governor when Gov. Kenny Guinn's term is up.

Hunt is intelligent, a quick learner and well liked. Is Nevada ready for a female governor?

In spite of all efforts, telemarketing calls keep coming -- even more often than before.

Occasionally I reach a point of frustration and decide to let the caller know what I think of the intrusion. Around 8 the other night, while I was watching a basketball game, a young woman called to tell me how to decrease payments on my mortgage.

I usually just hang up, but this time I decided to let her have it.

"I don't have a mortgage and I deeply resent you calling me at this hour."

Her sweet reply: "What would be a good time, then?"