Catholics shouldn't be quiet while schools are closed

Catholics shouldn't be quiet while schools are closed
EDITOR:
As his explanation as to why Immaculate Conception school remains open while too many of our other Catholic grade schools are being closed, Msgr. Zuraw writes in his March 15 letter to the editor, "Immaculate Conception has been providing a quality Catholic education to the children in Youngstown for over 122 years. Today, we continue to build upon our rich history, which allows students to grow spiritually, academically and socially."
Surely the previous students and graduates of St. Brendan's, St. Edward's, St. Dominic's and all of our other Catholic schools that have been closed feel that they, too, received a quality Catholic education and were provided the opportunity to grow spiritually, academically, and socially. I know I do.
I also believe that it is our responsibility to educate the youth who are the future leaders of this great city. But, if the Catholics of the greater Youngstown area continue to sit passively back while our children are being shut out as our bishop raises millions of dollars for other ventures, how can we complain when the time comes that we find all of our schools have been closed and we can no longer proudly point to the successful, productive community leaders as being graduates of our Catholic schools?
MARY BETH SMITH
Youngstown
Distrust can be healthy
EDITOR:
After reading the article on the convicted rapist Scranton Buchanan, I am infuriated.
The mother entrusted her child with this man -- why? The guy had a known history of mental illness!
When are some of the women of our society going to assume the roles and responsibilities of being a mother?
Just as with the Michael Jackson case, sometimes all the criminals are not seated in the front of the courtroom.
Our legislature needs to evaluate and expand the entire criminal system, including the mothers of the victims for child endangering, be it direct or indirect.
Sorry, ladies, but you are not the victim, so don't whine or plead to this single mother of three, because you nauseate me. Life wasn't meant to be easy.
TERRI JOHNSTON
Youngstown
What about the poor?
EDITOR:
How do the poor lobby? What's going to happen when the poorest and most vulnerable of this country are made to balance the budget?
I'm proud that we have freed the oppressed. I'm proud that we are the most generous country in the world. I'm proud that we are treating our soldiers wonderful again instead of the way the Vietnam soldiers were treated. But, now I'm more ashamed than ever before. This budget from the president is aimed at the poorest of our veterans, the poorest of our communities needing Medicaid (and most pay a high price to have it now, while others who need it can't afford it). It's also aimed at the poorest and/or most vulnerable of our young people's education, and even the disabled and the elderly.
How many people know of the billions of dollars in the pork barrel bill that Congress passed without even reading it before they adjourned? Billions of dollars are being spent on silliness at this time of crisis, while the president submits a budget to cut programs for the needy. The rich are having their exorbitant tax cuts made permanent while the poorest are being taken advantage of without anyone to help them. We can help the world, but we can't take care of our own.
Shame on you Mr. President! Even housing for the disabled. And shame on any of our legislators who let this happen.
How can the poor lobby?
SANDRA ARKWRIGHT MANKE
Youngstown