WCR Letters to the Editor

Students, beware sin of selfishness

This deadly issue is selfishness. In the dictionary "selfishness" is described as concerned chiefly or only with oneself.

The main reason I am addressing this issue now is because at this moment I feel it is most present. Those that live in Alberta can recall the strike that sought more education funding. Whether that strike is selfish I am not here to address, what I am addressing is the students these teachers teach.

During the second week of April, students felt it was time to address their concerns on the issue.

It was said some students protested respectfully while others found it necessary to spit and perform other unacceptable acts. What did their signs say? Well the message you could get out of the whole issue was that it wasn't needs, it was wants.

Do you need to have basketball after school? Do you need dances? These were not needs, but rather what the students felt they should have.

In Africa, people are lucky if they can read, let alone go to a school system. While they are appreciative of all they can get, our students are whining, claiming they haven't enough.

Selfishness plagues us, our children and our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a black hole that can never be filled by the world, only by God himself.

These children, who are fighting for their sports and extracurricular activities, need more than that, they need God back in their lives.

Who better to bring God back in their lives then their own parents? Parents teach your children to give, not ask, and children teach your friends to give, not ask. We are a demanding society that has become more self-centred everyday, but thankfully we also have a God who is stronger than anything.

If we submit ourselves to our Lord, than we can surely change how we think, feel and act. So why not today, instead of asking for something, look at those who need and then go out of your way to give.

The reward is always greater in heaven.

Caroline Sevigny
St. Albert.

Demand MPs act now to protect our children

Given that there is a street in Vancouver where child prostitution flourishes. . . .

Given that child pornography cases before our Canadian courts are judged under the "rights and freedom" portions of our constitution with no thought to the rights and freedoms of our most vulnerable population, our children. . . .

It is time we, the responsible citizens of Canada, made our voices heard loudly and clearly. Our Canadian laws should all go through the litmus test of "Does this law protect the safety and security of our children?"

It is time our lawmakers understood this. It is time our judicial system understood this. It is time for you and I to speak out.

I urge everyone phone (1 800 755-7061), fax, mail, email and talk to their Member of Parliament("http://canada.gc.ca") Mailing Address: House of Commons, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, Ont., K1A 0A6; Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada; and the Prime Minister of Canada email: pm@pm.gc.ca Office of the Prime Minister, 80 Wellington St., Ottawa K1A 0A2, Fax: 613-941-6900.

Between May 12, Mother's Day and June 16, Father's Day, each of us can commit 10 minutes each week to contact our government representatives and insist on their commitment to protect our children.

Let's do this.

Pat Ager
Bainsville, Ont.

Klein - Stop abusing critics

The remark by Minister Pat Nelson slurring Bishop Henry, and my Church, about pedophilia is absolutely despicable.

Such actions are all too prevalent, following Mr. Klein's own disparaging remarks about Alberta teachers when he was in Japan.

Mr. Klein must demand Pat Nelson's resignation; nothing less will be tolerated. And Klein had best set a new pattern by conducting himself in a manner acceptable to good public behaviour and by demanding similar behaviour by his ministers.

The arrogance and public bullying must stop.

Phillip Walker
Edmonton

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