It takes a community

to help people suffering

from mental illness

What a joy to read "Mehlville High grads aid their No. 1 fan" (Oct. 6) about Tim "Ozzy" Osborn, a homeless, mentally disabled man. Years ago he had been an enthusiastic and faithful sports fan, but the intervening years had separated him from his friends.

The inspiring story of his friends finding him again, banding together to aid him in his difficulties, including working to find an exact diagnosis, and assisting him on the road to recovery was particularly timely given the upcoming benefit football game. This story should bring hope to those suffering the effects of mental disabilities of any type and those hoping to assist them.

One of the key elements in helping people on the road to recovery is a community of interested people. Pathways to Promise, a national ecumenical organization whose headquarters is in St. Louis, recently concluded a conference, "Pathways to Promise: Interfaith Ministries & Mental Illness," at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville. One goal was to look at models of ministry and collaboration between faith groups and service providers. The group recognizes the role of a community effort to assist the sufferer in recovery.

This core premise is illustrated beautifully in Mr. Osborn's story.

Oct. 23 promises to be a special day for Mr. Osborn: The Mehlville High—St. Louis University High football game will be a benefit for him.

May this night be as special as Mr. Osborn and his friends anticipate.

Ann H. Zahniser — Greenville, Ill.



Loyalty to the truth

Regarding "E. coli probe intensifies" (Oct. 8): Thank goodness we have such a dedicated, experienced environmentalist as Mark Templeton at the helm of our state Department of Natural Resources. Apparently, we need people to interpret our risks and make decisions to minimize any outflow of information that may cause us to worry or make our own informed decision about the safety of our environment.

The opinion that any possible risk to our health and safety may have passed because e. coli may have died after a few days makes me feel secure. I'd hate to have the state waste money on follow-up tests. It makes much more sense to wait to see if we have an epidemic before we take action.

Gov. Jay Nixon has been caught between loyalty to his functionaries and the truth. He might consider appointing someone to lead the DNR who has qualifications that are relevant to the environment. It is not just a political patronage position. Mr. Templeton has no qualifications for this job.

The DNR should be protecting the legacy of natural grandeur in our state. Instead, its leaders seem to think that promotion is more important than substance.

Missouri's Department of Natural Resources deserves better leadership. We need a capable leader, not a political hack.

Alfred R. Naunheim Jr. — Brentwood



Finding the governor

Regarding "State joins churches in disaster relief effort" (Oct. 4): There is no monetary amount attached to volunteer hours. And now I know where to find Gov. Jay Nixon. He's handing out Bibles at sand-bag sites.

Once again, Missouri reaffirms its "Show-me state" reputation: Show me the lord's word so I can get some help cleaning the floodwater out of my house.

Patti Adams — St. Louis



Money-changers

As the former chair of a non-profit, I must comment on the just announced and incredibly short-sighted actions of the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. These modern versions of money-changers have taken a thoughtless and expedient approach to a temporary cash-flow issue faced by all non-profits and service organizations because of the downturn of our economy.

In their impatience, board members failed to wait for the already-developing economic turnaround. The board members now have on their consciences the knowledge that they have destroyed a 60-year tradition of cultural enlightenment and further "dumbed down" society by removing the timeless and inspiring religious music of the great composers for the shallow pap of "contemporary Christian music" — whatever that is. I won't be listening. We always thought LCMS was a good citizen in the St. Louis metro area.

This St. Louis cultural gem and its ties to and encouragement of many other arts organizations in this community will be sorely missed. The instigators of this loss will not be forgotten. A pox on their heads.

Col. James D. Graham — Sunset Hills



Worse than Bidwill?

I have been a Rams season ticket holder since the team moved to St. Louis. However, if Rush Limbaugh becomes part-owner, that will end.

I never thought things could be worse than Bill Bidwill, but I guess I was wrong!

Joan Corwin — Lake Saint Louis



Refuse the sale

It certainly is a shame that Dave Checketts has aligned himself with the likes of Rush Limbaugh. The Rams ownership recently broke up a dysfunctional organization. It is almost guaranteed that under the helm of an individual like Mr. Limbaugh, days, weeks, months and years of controversy of one kind or another surrounding the Rams would ensue.

I hope it's not illegal for the NFL to refuse to allow the Rams to be owned in any part by Mr. Limbaugh. I hope the NFL would take such a stand if this particular group tried to buy the Rams or that team owner and chairman Chip Rosenbloom would refuse to sell to any group that includes Mr. Limbaugh.

Ralph Barnett — St. Peters



Take off your blinders

I take issue with Bryan Burwell's column "NFL should think twice on Limbaugh" (Oct. 7). Maybe the Post-Dispatch should think twice on Mr. Burwell. To understand and appreciate Rush Limbaugh, one has to listen to more than a couple of programs. Those who dislike Mr. Limbaugh are the same as the people who hate former President George W. Bush.

Mr. Burwell, looking down from his perch at Mount Olympus, can see, hear and know all while he takes pot shots at us, mere mortals.

Was Mr. Burwell's column an aberration? I think not. Can Mr. Burwell do better? I think so. This is a free society and economy, so Mr. Burwell should take off his blinders.

Tony Karakas — Creve Coeur

Insults are not discourse

Robert Maranto, in his commentary "Censoring Horowitz shows SLU needs diversity of thought" (Oct. 6) complains of a left-wing bias at colleges and universities, writing that within the Ivory Tower, "professors can hold dumb ideas for decades with no accountability, so long as they accord with the dumb ideas of their peers." He never acknowledges that there might be some cogency to these "dumb ideas." Presumably anyone who holds them is just an idiot. Mr. Maranto appears to dismiss opposing views as ideological bias pure and simple.

Is this the best that conservatives can offer? Insulting those with whom they disagree? I am dismayed that a "chair in leadership" would express himself in this manner.

I agree that St. Louis University should be a place where students can engage many viewpoints along the spectrum —conservative or liberal. But, as a professor at SLU, I would not allow a student of mine to make a comment like that in class about views with which he disagreed. I would call him out — on his tone and on the fact that this comment borders on an ad hominem attack.

Ellen Rehg — St. Louis