Monday, October 5, 1998

Stenholm's help

I am writing in regard to my recent problems with government bureaucracy. After I served in the U.S. Navy, my medical records were transferred to the Veterans Administration in 1958-1959. In 1963 they were transferred to the VA Regional Office in Albuquerque. That was the last I knew of their location.

In January 1996 I requested a re-evaluation of my disabilities from the Regional Office in Waco. Their reply was that I was not entitled to be re-evaluated.

I wrote three U.S. representatives, including U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm, requesting assistance. One referred my letter to Stenholm for action. The other failed to reply.

Shortly thereafter I received a telephone call from Stenholm's office in San Angelo assuring me the matter would be looked into. Over a period of two years Stenholm's office kept me advised of the status of the investigation.

In 1998 my records were found and a re-evaluation of my disabilities was completed. Had it not been for the persistence of Stenholm and his staff, my records would still be lost.

It is my opinion that if we want someone who will truly represent the constituents of the 17th District, we need to re-elect Congressman Charles Stenholm.

CHARLES COBURN

Burkett

Mount Morality

Imagine Americans stand on the edge of a mountain called Morality. At the base of this mountain is a man who invites you down to the bottom. We all look over the edge and see gold and luxury. The only thing we have to do is jump off the mountain to receive it. However, we all know the fall will kill us.

Two-thirds of Americans know better, but the man at the bottom keeps telling them that it's not important how you get down there. So, throwing all common sense aside, they decide to trust this man and run off the edge of Mount Morality, all the way down saying as long as we are rich, it doesn't matter.

The only problem is that the pure weight and movement of more than half of America causes the foundation of mount Morality to break away and cause the rest of us to fall with the 66 percent.

Soon a rumble is heard, and pebbles begin to fall on our heads. They turn to rocks, then boulders. We realize our folly. Mount Morality has completely crumbled.

Why? Because 66 percent of us believe as long as the president is doing a good job, it does not matter how he does it. If you can look in the mirror and tell yourself morality does not matter, then go have sex with someone who is not your spouse, at work where your boss will see. Then tell me you'll still have a job next week.

FRANK LAMBERT

Abilene

Via e-mail

Morality bracelet

In light of our country's current moral crisis and the debate over public and private sin, it's time to make some good old American entrepreneur profit over the whole mess.

As popular as the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) bracelets are among our young people, it is time to design a moralizing bracelet for the adults. (It won't have the sophistication and the stylish raves that a Lagos or Yorman bracelet would. But it may have deeper moral impact and more positive social outcome in the long run.)

How about a GSAT (God Sees All Things) bracelet for adults. Or if GSAT sounds a tad irreverent, maybe ECC. 12:14 would be better, based on Ecclesiastes 12:14, "For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

Right now, I myself am too busy raising two young children, trying to teach them right from wrong and about our all-knowing God, to make the bracelets myself. But perhaps someone else out there could use the idea.

SARAH HARDWICKE

Abilene

Via e-mail