The bold print was very misleading, "Community input needed," the headline stated in the short announcement in Sunday's Star written by Brian Lazenby. The announcement went on to state that the Calhoun County Commission and the Calhoun County EMA would hold a "community input meeting" Tuesday to gather opinions about several varieties of protective hoods. In the FIFTH paragraph came the statement "the meeting is not open to the GENERAL public! Ms. Delois Champ, county EMA operations manager, said the commissioners had asked several residents from each of their districts to attend the meeting and offer input.Wouldn't a better title have been "Commissioners ask a friend from their district to attend a private meeting"? Exactly when will the COMMUNITY be "allowed" to offer their input?
It is obvious to me that the county commissioners have no interest in their communities input! Why hold a meeting on such an important topic at 10 a.m. on a work day, and only invite "certain" individuals from their district.
How will the hoods be distributed? I can see it now, a sign on I-20 announces "Welcome to Alabama the Beautiful" pick up your protective hood in case of a chemical incident at the next exit, please!
The county commissioners need to remember they represent ALL of us in the community and when they start looking for votes in the next election, will it be the GENERAL public they ask for their vote?
Vickey Ellison
Ohatchee
Memorial wall funding
I hope that everyone is aware of our effort to purchase the land adjacent to Centennial Memorial Park for handicap and other parking for visitors to the park. This park is the home of the official Vietnam Veterans Wall for the State of Alabama.People visit the park from all over the U.S and from various parts of the world. Schools use the park for history and patriotism projects. Churches bring the children there to teach about sacrifice and patriotism.
The property was leased by Waffle House and after they heard our pleas, they have decided to build elsewhere. That leaves us with the obligation to raise funds to buy this property. I can assure you that Waffle House and the property owners will not make any profit, in fact, they will lose revenue as a result of this action.
I hope everyone will pitch in and help us purchase this property that is so desperately needed. There are over 10,000 names of Alabama's heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we share today. With the events taking place since September 11, we all have a better appreciation for our freedom. Help us make sure that the sacrifice of these men and women was not in vain.
Please send your tax deductible donation to Memorial Wall Fund, P.O. Box 2326, Anniston, Alabama 36202.
Ken Rollins
Oxford
Leaders of Islam
Please use our great newspaper to raise questions about our true friends of Islam. Why has there not been a continual message from the "real" leaders of Islam? A token positive response about this wonderful nation of ours that has struggled imperfectly to provide a free society for civilized persons regardless of color or religion is deeply appreciated but this is a time for consistent and perennial praise.
Have the great nations of the true Muslim faith spoken out forcefully against a cult form of their faith? If so, please publish it over and over again as an attempt to overcome the negatives of television analysts who evidently lack the social intelligence to understand that much of what they say jeopardizes the building of a strong coalition with these
crucial nations.
We must also not let our Judeo-Christian background prevent us from asking serious questions of our Jewish friends. Why have they been the center of so many of our world conflicts? The answer of being God's chosen people is not sufficient when the great loss of life that has revolved around their forward march to establish a nation of peace is considered.
This is a time for soul-searching for all of us. The great orthodoxy for us all is love and not some doctrine that is used to exhibit hate to those who differ from us.
Is there a license for TV analysts or a set of ethical standards that are appropriate for times of peace and war? Is continuing education required for licensed analysts or reporters?
Please know that I appreciate the editorial that has questioned the heightened conflict between the nation of Israel and the Palestinians that goes on without concern for our world struggle against terrorism.
Dr. Carroll B. Freeman
Professor Emeritus, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Anniston
