Letters policy

The News Courier encourages letters to the editor. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and should include a name, address and telephone number for verification. Submissions that do not meet requirements are subject to editing. Send letters by noon on Thursdays to P.O. Box 670, Athens, Ala., 35613, or e-mail to kelly@athensnews-courier.com.



We’ve got to fix this

Dear Editor:

Now that I have everyone stirred up by saying what 80 percent of Americans over 40 years old think, is there a way to fix the problem forever? Sometimes you have to light the fire before everyone realizes they are cold. Identifying a problem is just a start; now I, and hopefully you also, have to be a part of the solution.

What a few of you identified as mean and hateful language was, in fact, loving and helpful articulation. If you think my commentary was anti any race or anti any religion you were wrong. My commentary was anti “not trying,” anti “government dependency” and in total support of the “the land of opportunity.”

No one out there that has observed the American society for the past 25 years can say the slide has been upward. The American values of morality, ethics, and work have certainly spiraled downward during this time; and government control and dependency has grown exponentially.

It seems to all boil down to attitude, ignorance and poverty. How do we remove all Americans from ignorance and poverty and give them the attitude of pulling their own weight? Lao Tzu said 2,500 years ago, "Give a man a fish; feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish; feed him for a lifetime." The metaphor of feeding someone and that sufficing to get them through one day, and one-day alone shows that people can only be helped so far. If we help them and do things for them all the time, then they rely on us, which is not only unhealthy for their development of skills, but also potentially dangerous, if we are not there to help them one day, their very future is at risk.

The major problem of eradicating ignorance and poverty is the desire of the person to be removed from the group. So how do we do it?

We identify programs that will fix the problem.

We provide the programs to the ones that need it.

We spend our money and our time to teach the program to those in need.

Where do we go from here? What’s the next step? Is anyone interested?

When the student is ready the teacher will appear. I didn’t make that up —

Buddha said it a long time ago.



Sincerely,

Larry Keenum

Athens





Agrees with Keenum

Dear Editor:

I have read both recent guest editorials (Wednesday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 15) and agree with Mr. Larry Keenum and his ideas. I feel no shame for that belief. My opinion is that Mr. Daniel Tribble is way out in left field.



Sincerely,

Charles L. Neese

Athens



Agrees with Tribble

Dear Editor:

I write this in response to the guest column written by Daniel Clay Tribble in the Nov. 15 issue of The News Courier. Mr. Tribble, I have only two words for you — well said!



Sincerely,

Butch Berzett

Athens





Bye to Back Yard Burgers

Dear Editor:

You may already be aware that Eloise and I had to make the tough decision to cease our business (Back Yard Burgers) in Athens.

We have developed a very emotional attachment to you, our loyal customers and our crew and staff in Athens and certainly did not reopen just to turn around and close 2 1/2 months later.

The economy has taken its toll on many small businesses and unfortunately, ours is one of them. We have invested all of our money into keeping the doors open, but all 11th hour attempts and hopes did not materialize. If you are in a hiring position, please give our employees consideration, as they are all outstanding workers and will be a blessing to your staff.

We were excited about the early response to the BYB Tithes program to tithe back to the churches in the area. We had 35 churches represented and we promise to fulfill our obligation when we are able.

We cherish the new friends we made in Athens while we were open and wish the community continued growth and success!

Thank you and God bless.



Sincerely,

Bob and Eloise Stanley

Athens