By Staff
Get off mayor's back about police chief
To the Editor:
Everyone should get off the mayor's back about the police chief. It is much better to have a temporary police chief than a bad permanent one.
The mayor should take all the time he needs, as our police department at this time has very particular needs in a chief. Meridian is not the only city having trouble finding a police chief. I'd sure hate to be trying to find one at the salary Meridian is offering.
Joe Clay Hamilton
Meridian
Abortion terrorists' the real threat
To the Editor:
American citizens are shaken by the threat that terrorism might harm or even kill them. Guess we've become "unwanted" by many who practice hate rather than love and true tolerance.
Suddenly, many are now asking God to "bless America." Perhaps this indicates a real and lasting interest in Christianity. Let us pray hearts will turn to Christ.
In reality, Americans are asking God to save us (innocent civilians) while we callously allow the killing of innocent unborn civilians by abortion terrorists.
The horrifying death toll on Sept. 11 is less than the number of tiny civilians killed at abortion mills on any given Saturday in America.
Consider this: What if God is waiting on us to show mercy and protect these innocent children before He will mercifully save us?
Our Lord put it this way: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
Susan Seale
Philadelphia
In the spirit of the season
To the Editor:
This is a very special time of the year for most of us, celebrating the birthday anniversary of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It's not a time to get drunk. It's a time to stay sober and praise our Lord. We should be kind and charitable with one another.
In some households at this time of the year, whole families lose their tempers and many divorces have started from heated words. "And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand." Mark 3:25.
In the long run, it is the little children who must suffer when homes are broken. So, let charity start in the homes and save that home for those little children.
Jim Daniels
Chunky
Budget cuts threaten mental health improvements
To the Editor:
The Mississippi Legislature has done a wonderful job of improving mental health services in this state. Because of the improved funding they have given to mental health in the past, facilities benefited from more appropriate staffing levels, more services available and better homes for their patients. I am concerned these improvements may diminish in the future due to funding cuts.
I know members of the Legislature will be faced with difficult decisions this year. I've read in your paper about these crucial budget times, but I believe the mentally ill citizens of our state should remain at the forefront of their thoughts. Mentally ill Mississippians do not have an organized voice like labor unions or alumni associations to speak out on their behalf. The Legislature is their only voice.
I know there is a need to raise teachers' pay, but I hope it will not be at the expense of mental health jobs. I have read a lot in the news lately about teachers' raises. Let's remember that sometimes state employees are teachers; they teach the deaf, the blind, the mentally ill and others too. I am concerned some state employees could lose their jobs because of teacher pay raises, and that these proposed raises will not be given to state employees.
I appreciate all of the work our Legislature does for mental health and other state services as well. I hope the decisions they make in the future will not hurt the progress they have made in the field of mental illness in this state.
Vivian Shivers
Same name, different person
To the Editor:
I am writing to request that you clarify something that was published on page B10 under "Court Records" in the Sunday, Dec. 2, 2001, edition of The Meridian Star.
A person with the same name as mine was listed as convicted of "felony shoplifting, 2 years probation, $500 fine, AB fee, court costs." There was no clarification as to the middle name, age, address, place of work, race or any other personal information which would describe the offender. While we university employees have not had a raise in over three years, I have not resorted to shoplifting! I am not the guilty party, but it seems as if I and other law-abiding citizens to which this has happened are paying a substantial price.
How will our reputations and lives be affected when who knows how many of our friends, bosses, business associates, bank executives where we apply for loans, cashiers at stores where we write checks, and others with whom we come in contact read this and wonder. I do not have children, but for those to whom this has happened who do, can you imagine the embarrassment and tears that would follow playground taunting?
My good name and reputation are important to me. If this policy is intended to punish the offenders, then perhaps something should be done to clarify or unequivocally make sure that the offender is described in such a manner as not to be confused with law-abiding citizens of the same name. When I go to the doctor and they realize that there are two or three of us with the same name in Meridian, they ask for my Social Security number, middle name, address, date of birth, husband's name (if married), etc.
Perhaps our courts and media should do the same.
Linda Diane Butler
Public relations, marketing and recruitment
MSU-Meridian Campus