Friday, December 11, 1998

Letters to the Editor

Stealing Christmas

This letter is addressed to the person who broke into our house at North 3rd and Victoria.

When you broke the windows in order to get in and steal, that’s not all you did. You broke very valuable glass that was original to the house, which was built in 1905.

You also broke our hearts. It was sad to see the mess you made by emptying every box and opening every door and drawer. As we sifted through the mess, we realized how much was stolen, and our hearts grew even sadder.

Some things you stole we will never be able to replace, like the Christmas ornaments my children (now grown) received when they were babies. Also things they had made in school and hung on the tree every year. You stole presents we had purchased for family and friends. You stole more than just things, you stole pieces of our hearts, memories and family treasures.

I ask that you please bring back my children’s ornaments that say “Baby’s first Christmas”; the Lionel train set that belonged to our son; also the brown bag that was full of the solid-brass doorknobs and fixtures that belong to the house. I will check every day from now until Christmas. Just drop those things off on the porch.

I don’t know you or why you did this, but I want you to know you can be forgiven. I pray someday you and your family can experience joy, happiness and create wonderful memories and have family treasures of your own. Remember, Christmas is not about taking from someone, but about giving to someone.

ALMA MATTA

Abilene

Being American

I subscribe to Ira Glasser’s American Civil Liberties Union report. Some among us consider the ACLU as un-American. However, because of my nature, I want to know what people mean when they say un-American. I believe any card-carrying member of the ACLU would want that organization to be as “American” as it could be.

One thing ACLU members are not is moral absolutists. They do not like it when the law discriminates against any one group or class. In addition, they believe very strongly in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. As a group, they like to help us resist government’s attempts to police people’s personal lives. Knowing their background, no one would label them “new Puritans.” However, they could be called “freedom fighters” or something like that.

Their view on religion is one of tolerance. They do not believe one religion should tread on another. “Don’t tread on me.” We have all heard that battle cry, haven’t we? Separation of church and state would be mandatory if you believed their way, and we would not want to force our religious views on another just to expand our moral values. Even if it were our own religion, the ACLU would consider it wrong if we sought to impose it on others without their consent.

Ira tells me he is fighting in Alabama for the only Jewish family in Pike County to wear their Star of David lapel pins. Yes, religious tolerance is their way in the ACLU.

CHARLES RUSSELL

Abilene

Impeachment view

Before the recent election, U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm was portrayed as being for the impeachment of President Clinton. Even after the election the Abilene Reporter-News reported Mr. Stenholm still held the same view for impeachment.

During a call to his office on Dec. 7, I was informed that Mr. Stenholm had not decided how he would vote on the issue of impeachment.

Did Charles Stenholm effectively mislead the voters of the 17th Congressional District?

VIRGINIA PAYNTER

Buffalo Gap

Via e-mail