LETTERS

Ideals should be worth looking up to

I read that the Miss America Pageant may accept contestants who have had an abortion or have been divorced. A 49-year-old rule may be lifted in fear of conflict with New Jersey's discrimination laws.

Growing up, watching the pageant year after year, I always believed it was a fairy tale. Each woman tries her best to prove herself worthy of the crown and a title she is expected to honor. She is one of the most beautiful women in this country, but she is also a morally remarkable human being. No, she does not have to have the heart of Mother Teresa, nor the beauty to launch a thousand ships, but she is wholesome and does not live her life for herself, but for others in need.

Abortion is a highly sensitive issue in this country, and many people have divorced parents or know someone who has divorced parents. My personal opinion is not relevant. However, the opinion of today's society is relevant, and while these two issues are much more accepted than they were 50 years ago, they are problems we are trying to repair.
The question is not whether women who have had abortions or divorces are "nice" people, but rather, are these women ideal enough to pursue such an honored title?

The chance that a majority of the population will give more than two thoughts about a Miss America having had an abortion or a divorce is unlikely, but, for the people who do, does such a woman set an example for young girls?

Adolescent women will starve themselves to feel more beautiful, engage in inappropriate sexual behavior to feel more loved, and embrace other behaviors that seriously undermine the values of our society in order to raise self-esteem. With so much destruction of values in this country, do we really want to add to the fire?

FRANCES HOOD
Long Beach

Who wants to watch 'Myth America'?

It appears that we Americans, once somewhat free of a common enemy such as the Soviet Union, tend to turn our wrath inward and return to examining our bellybuttons, to wit, the inconsequentiality of the attributes which might constitute the qualities fitting of a Miss America.

Can't we just not mess with this one? Who wants to watch "Myth America"?

ARMOND 'SI' SIMMONS
Pell City, Ala.
psysim@voy.net

In a true democracy, annexees could vote

In response to Michael Murphy's letter, "Annexation is old news, so let's move forward":

I, too, think we should move forward - and allow those subject to annexation to vote as to whether they wish to be annexed. This is simply the democratic way that things are supposed to be done in a free country. That is the way annexation is handled in many other states.

Here in Mississippi, we still have good ol' boy politics: They do what is best for the powerful lobbyists and for themselves and they stay in office for 20, 30 years, sometimes longer. Example: Tim Ford, speaker of the state's House of Representatives, has been in office 20 years and rules with an iron hand. It is rare that members of the House vote against anything that Tim Ford wants. Another example is Ed Perry, chairman of the committee to which annexation bills are assigned. He has been in the House over 30 years, and never has an annexation bill gotten out of his committee to be voted on by the full House. Similar things happen in the Senate.

One way to overcome this legislative fiefdom and make the process more responsive to the people is to vote in favor of term limits, which will be on the ballot in November.

EVERETT O. FREEMAN
Gulfport

Term limits vote affects Legislature only

I write to correct what may be construed as a mischaracterization of my words in the article "Term limits seen as beneficial, chaotic" from Sept. 14. The author writes that I said if legislative term limits pass, it eventually could lead to similar efforts to limit terms for locally elected leaders.

I want to clarify to all readers that Initiative No. 9 strictly deals with limiting state legislators to two consecutive terms and in no way affects local public officials.

Term limits create more competition in our legislative elections and give voters more choices at the ballot box. Please join me in voting "yes" on Initiative No. 9 this Nov. 2.

RANDY RUSSELL,
co-chairman Mississippi Citizens for Legislative Term Limits Jackson

Keesler Airlift Wing was key in Kosovo

Now that NATO's mission in the skies over Kosovo is complete, most of the men and women from the Air Force Reserve who were called or volunteered to serve during Operation Allied Force have finished their work and have returned home.

It is important that you, the friends, neighbors, employers, co-workers and families, understand the critical importance of the role played by the members of the 403rd Airlift Wing at Keesler Air Force Base.

Like all Air Force Reserve units, the 403 AW is an essential element of today's United States Air Force. Because we are committed to the Department of Defense's Total Force effort, well-trained, readily available and well-equipped units like the 403rd are prepared to serve anywhere in the world on a moment's notice in support of national security objectives.

During the NATO air operation over Kosovo and Yugoslavia, the 403 AW deployed 57 Reservists in support of Operations Shining Hope and Coronet Oak. The unit flew 76 sorties and 186 flying hours to carry 150 tons of cargo. This was in addition to their other worldwide missions.

A career in the Reserve is a very demanding undertaking and requires both commitment and sacrifice on the part of Reservist, family and employer. The men and women of Air Force Reserve Command serve their nation as well as their communities, as do all of you who support them.

It is with great pride that I extend a very special thank you to the members of the 403rd, their families and employers, and the members of their communities who continue to provide outstanding support and assistance.

JAMES E. SHERRARD III
Chief of Air Force Reserve Washington

For safety's sake, no inconvenience is spared

I must commend Carolyn Shy on her letter, "We teach our children best by example," and also Long Beach student Cari Taylor, who wrote "Killers don't always look like 'freaks.'" Their letters made so much sense.

Let me see if I can get the running count correct. We now have in our public schools on the Coast:

Clear bookbags.

No lockers.

Name tags.

Uniforms.

Metal detectors anyone? Are we all "safe" now? Do we all feel better now?

PHOEBE VAN WINKLE
St. Martin

So, what is all the noise about?

Here we go again. Years ago it was the race track on Firetower Road and construction noise when the casinos were being built in Gulfport. Now it's the aggregate plant on Espy Avenue.

The fact is that we have county supervisors who don't know what is going on in their county; a county development commission that doesn't communicate with anyone, nor conduct environmental impact studies; and a state Department of Environmental Quality and a federal Environmental Protection Agency that are not doing their jobs well.

So, what is new?

Everyone knows that industry, businesses or people will do only what the law requires, and nothing more. Unless public outcry can sway the governing bodies to correct the situation, things will stay the same.

Some of the problems can be solved by enacting laws in the county that would give or ensure peace and quiet to its residents.

One such law is a countywide noise abatement law. If written properly, it would ensure that no business, industry or person could create a noise loud enough and long enough to disturb the peace and tranquillity of anyone. This would include industrial noises created by an aggregate plant or a power plant, businesses like the local bar or body shop, and persons with loud stereos, inadequate mufflers and rowdy parties.

CHARLES H. ERICKSON
Pass Christian
aleche@datasync.com

Let Jones Park remain a place for families

I believe that Gulfport has enough tax money that the city does not need a casino in the last green spot on the beach and also in the area that the visitors first see when they come down U.S. 49. We also need to preserve our beautiful Gulfport Small Craft Harbor.

It is ridiculous for us to allow some fly-by-night operation to come in here and destroy Jones Park. We need to preserve one of the last places where people can leave their houses and relax.

We would have to travel all the way down to Biloxi if we wanted to launch our boats in the water. We would have to travel somewhere else to play soccer, have picnics, and do many other things that we have done at Jones Park for years. Taking this privilege away from us would be an injustice.

Jones Park was here long before all the casinos were here, and it should be here long after the casinos leave.

FINLEY WARD
Gulfport

Quick and easy method has fatal consequences

On Sept. 15, the local housing authority sprayed weed killer around the apartment grounds instead of trimming with a line trimmer. The next morning, a clapper rail, a medium-sized wading bird, lay dead in the front yard with no apparent cause of death. Coincidence?

One field guide states, "rare and endangered in West," and "all populations threatened by habitat loss, pollution." No kidding!

How can people, especially those in authority, be made to understand what we are doing to the environment?

MARK D. FOSSELMAN
Pass Christian

Two, four, six, eight, protest is a little late

Regarding the Sun Herald's front-page article, on Sept., 22, concerning the persons who are protesting the wearing of shirts with the Ole Miss "Hoddy Toddy ..." cheer, I most adamantly propose:

Get into the 21st and out of the 14th century.

Get some semblance of a personality, if you know what that is.

Get a sense of humor.

Get a life!

BOB PETERSEN
Ocean Springs