Sunday, Nov. 01, 2009

Letters 11/1

Not disgusting at all

Regarding the person writing that the article about kids deer hunting was disgusting: How dare he. The kids are learning to hunt and eat what they kill. Nowadays they need to learn how to take care of themselves.

I bet the people complaining have beef, chicken and pork on their tables. Those animals had to be killed.

How dare they belittle these little kids' joy of getting their first deer? If they don't like to see or hear about deer hunting, they shouldn't look at that part of the paper. We enjoy it. Maybe the complainers should get a life, they might enjoy it.

I'm proud of young kids finding sports. They won't be on the streets doing wrong. No, they won't be carrying guns on the streets, they will be hunting with their dad or mom.

Juanita Stein

Mascoutah

The joy of hunting

The person who wrote the Sound-off "Let them eat beef" said killing deer is ridiculous. If the caller had a garden and deer destroyed it, he would understand why deer are hunted. It is to control the population, to keep them from starving or contracting disease or from overrunning the land.

People have hunted game since time began. Has the caller ever eaten deer sausage or deer smokies? They are delicious.

The fishing licenses and deer permits put money in place to protect our lakes, parks and forestry for our families to enjoy.

I hope this helps people understand that hunting is a good, enjoyable sport.

Rose Glenn

Freeburg

Danger, slow down

Several weeks ago there was a near head-on collision on Green Mount Road that ended up going through a fence (Hunters Crossing) and into a backyard where two 4-year-olds were playing. You can see where the car went through even today. How scary is this, and when will people slow down and go the speed limit, which is 45 mph not 65-70 mph?

Cars repeatedly drive on the shoulder when neighbors are trying to turn into any subdivision off Green Mount. There have been 200-plus accidents this year to date.

There is no stoplight for Hunters Crossing residents to enter/exit safely. This holds true despite repeated efforts by the residents consisting of phone calls and petitions. Several people have been rear-ended just slowing down to turn into the subdivision.

Be courteous of drivers, runners, and bikers. There is in fact a bike path that starts on Green Mount heading toward Southwestern Illinois College.

Lisa J. Walker

Shiloh

Reread amendment

Having not grown up here, I am often dismayed by the letters to the editor. They generally seem to support a right-wing, tea-party, Republican, pro-NRA, Christian viewpoint, and I accept that as representative of the majority of folks around here.

But every once in a while a letter gets me going, and James L. McAfee's Oct. 20 accusation that the First Amendment does not provide freedom from religion is one of them.

The first line of the First Amendment starts, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion ..." This is an explicitly negative statement interpreted by historians and political scientists to indicate that the U.S. government would not favor any one religion, nor force its citizens to admit to or practice religion. In other words, the right our forefathers placed above all others was the freedom from religion.

The amendment continues to guarantee citizens the right to worship if and how they please; to speak out and petition against an unfair government; and to peaceably assemble.

Thank goodness the framers of our Constitution were a bit more tolerant than McAfee with his "revisionist history."

Mark M. Binkowski

Swansea

Justice comes first

Four types of relationships -- with God, others, self and nature -- define our lives. To realize our full human dignity, we must grow these relationships. Enriching our relationship with God is called "spirituality."

Fundamental to spirituality is conversion. It can lead to a profound relationship with God. It can fail, however, if our relationships with others, self or nature are not based on justice.

Within Roman Catholicism, a patriarchal hierarchy has subjugated women for centuries through sexist practices: relentlessly defining God as male; denying women ordination; denying women leadership positions, etc. Without first working to end sexism, is conversion, and ultimately spirituality, possible for Catholic clergy?

We, the laity, turn a blind eye toward the clergy's sexism, thus approving it. Our relationship with Catholic women is therefore based on injustice. Is spirituality for us possible?

My parish St. Nicholas plans to build a center for spirituality, which will divert attention and resources from the real effort needed to foster spiritual growth: Working for justice.

If we do not stand for justice for Cath-olic women, we stand for nothing and spirituality is not possible. This issue will not go away no matter how much money we throw at a spirituality center.

Mick Gibbar

O'Fallon

All cancerns need research dollars

My thanks to Tom McNaughton for his recent letter in which he emphasized the necessity of focusing on the seriousness of all types of cancer, not only breast cancer.

His suggestion that a cancer research month be designated is right on target because research funding is critical if this disease, in all its forms, is ever to be eliminated.

While many of us know women who are fighting breast cancer, I also have friends and family who are dealing with colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer. I have battled a rare form of melanoma for two years. I am certain my doctors at Barnes-Jewish Hospital would welcome additional research dollars; I have donated to my surgeon's research programs.

Perhaps the emphasis on breast cancer occurs because of the number of women who suffer from it, but anyone who has ever received a cancer diagnosis of any type knows that it presents one of life's most difficult challenges. Everyone facing that challenge deserves compassion.

Mary Ann Gonzalez

Glen Carbon

All the hype is good

In response to letter writer Tom McNaughton on breast cancer hype: During every month of the year the American Cancer Society has a cancer that is represented. I don't think you can overhype any cancer. It just so happens that the people who are affected the most by breast cancer have done a brilliant job of bringing attention to it.

My wife is a breast cancer survivor and not a day goes by that she does not think about it. Not because she wants to but because she has to. Once you hear the words "you have cancer," it is embedded in you forever.

Susan G. Komen and the Livestrong Organization headed by Lance Armstrong are battling a war on cancer so that in the future men, women and children will have a greater chance of survival than today.

So, there is no such thing as too much hype when it comes to cancer, be it breast cancer or any other type.

I will always wear my pink for breast cancer year round and my yellow wristband to support my wife and others like her.

Michael Converse

Troy