For example, a letter to the editor in today's Waukesha Freeman,
To the editor:Why Mr. Laing isn't writing and complaining to his own newspaper, whether it is in Louisiana or Georgia, will probably remain a mystery. But the point of his letter is clear: we have it worse, stop your complaining (never mind that my tax dollars are going to fix his situation but none of his tax dollars are going to salt my streets).
I find it interesting the comments that are made complaining about a little snowstorm. "My street wasn't cleaned fast enough" or "my meeting was canceled" or "the kids were home from school" or "I couldn't get to the store or work." How terrible; you missed a day or two. Look to South Mississippi and the Gulf Coast.
It's been 460-plus days since Katrina struck. Roadways and bridges are still waiting to be built, people are living in "temporary" trailers and insurance companies still have not paid out for the losses suffered by hundreds of thousands of people. Schools and libraries have to be built. Industries are still trying to rebuild to provide jobs. People and families are scattered across the county; many will never return to what was their home. Who do you know who wants to trade places?
We have moved four times since the storm, the two boys were in four different school systems. Our oldest son missed a year of college. Now we are residing in north Georgia. We are the lucky ones! We thank God every day for this and for our friends and family who are still on the coast who continue to struggle every day. We are together and grateful for it.
Michael Laing
LaFayette, Ga.
This week Tim Schilke writes on religious persecution:
Festivus is a celebration of a celebration, and not intended to replace the traditional holidays. In fact, it pre-dates the birth of Christ by about 300 years. But how big can it really become in the face of continued persecution? Would the Festivus holiday already be a celebrated American tradition if not for the now infamous "War on Festivus," instigated by those who celebrate only the Christmas or Hanukkah religious holidays? To prove the theory, I called Gen. Mitchell International Airport to ask if they would put up a Festivus pole in celebration of the holiday. The first time I called, they laughed and hung up on me. The second time, I was firmly scolded. "Festivus is not based on a recognized religion," they said. "Therefore, it's not eligible for inclusion into an all-inclusive holiday display."Hey Tim, Festivus? When Muslims are so afraid of getting rude treatment from the airlines they have to establish a hotline? (Next time I fly I might use that hotline myself.) Where are your priorities Tim? Geez, you even missed a chance to say it's all Bush's fault.
