Defended rights

Dear Editor,

Here in Nebraska we place a high priority on human rights and good government. Our state was populated by people seeking freedom and a better life.

When news reaches us about violent protests and civil wars in places like Egypt, Yemen and Dubai, it disturbs us.

Dictators and strong-armed leaders have been doing this to ordinary people since the beginning of time. Intelligent persons find that it is contrary to their sense of values.

Back in 587 B.C., Babylonian armies conquered Jerusalem and took Daniel and his three companions captive (See Daniel 3:19-26)

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, sent Daniel's companions to a fiery furnace for worshiping God instead of his golden idol. They were miraculously saved. Later, in Daniel 6:16-22 of the Old Testament, we learn that Daniel was thrown into a lions' den. Darius, the leader of the Medes, was angry because Daniel prayed daily to God. An angel shut the mouths of the lions and he was saved.

In Boston in the 1700s, American colonists rebelled against Great Britain. They dumped tea and other valuable cargo into the Boston Harbor. They were angry about taxation without representation and not being allowed to trade with countries other than Great Britain.

Today we honor these brave men and are glad about what they did for human rights.

Helen Ruth Arnold,

Trenton, Nebraska