The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Dear Editor,
Since it's been nice enough to have windows open once again, I'm reminded of a health issue so many of us seem to be unaware of, burning plastics.
We live in a village where it's not illegal to burn vegetation year round, but many folk are under the impression it's appropriate to burn anything that will go up in flames.
The fumes let off by burning plastics contain chemicals that are among the most carcinogenous (cancer causing) known.
That is why it's not only very harmful to burn plastics, but it is also illegal.
I'm especially concerned because I had a lumpectomy of a benign tumor when I was only 27 years old.
The type of tumor I had will reoccur several times if I'm fortunate enough to live a long life.
Although a benign tumor is better than a cancerous tumor, it's far from a good thing and limiting exposure to carcinogens may prevent having to experience either.
For your own health, your family's, and that of your neighbor, please recycle #1 and #2 plastics and place all others in the trash. Sincerely,
Candace Miller-Fosmore
Oquawka
Dear Editor,
A Conservative View
This letter is guaranteed to stir up a hornet's nest. Hopefully we can disagree without being disagreeable!
A liberal sees the federal government as the answer to all of our problems.
A conservative tells big government to get lost and let us solve our own problems.
Liberals want federal programs to help everyone (except the wealthy) and do not mind paying higher taxes to achieve these goals.
Conservatives want people to learn to help themselves, emphasize the free enterprise system and give people back more of their own money.
Probably the biggest single factor which separates most liberal democrats and conservative republicans is the right of choice or life.
In my opinion, a life or death situation for the mother, rape or incest warrant an abortion.
Anything other than these three situations warrant no human playing God.
It is an example of complete irresponsibility when young teenagers are permitted to use abortion as a means of birth control.
Of course there are many thousands of people who would love to adopt and would make very good parents.
Who knows when a destroyed fetus may have become the best president we ever had, another Albert Einstein, etc.
My wife always wanted several children, but instead had 10 miscarriages.
The 5-6 month fetuses seemed to be perfectly formed, but God apparently had a reason for naturally aborting them. Sometimes God closes doors but opens others, as we were fortunate to adopt a fine son.
Although liberals say it is acceptable to kill a completely innocent fetus, you had better not kill a mass murderer! He may be guilty of many horrendous crimes, but not guilty on one in particular. Anytime human judgment is involved there are going to be human mistakes.
Very rarely some are executed when they are not guilty of a particular crime. Some others are let free when they are very likely guilty. (ex. O.J. Simpson).
Thankfully, with modern science (DNA evidence, etc.) it is much less likely an innocent person will be put to death.
Of course every life is important and every person accused of murder, etc. should be given fair rights to show they are not guilty.
However, those accused do not deserve more rights than victims and their families. They also deserve the right called closure.
Who are some of the leaders on the extreme left liberal side?
Some Hollywood people come to mind. Larry Flynt is another prime example. Is the exploitation of women and pornography what our country needs?
Then you have Jerry Springer who promotes violence at every opportunity to earn an extra buck.
Many would say that our over emphasis of sex and violence is one of our nation's biggest problems.
Thankfully, most people are in the middle of extremes.
On the extreme conservative right you have people like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell.
In their opinion, (and mine) Jesus Christ is the primary answer to our nation's needs.
Weyman George
Macomb