Gloating over downfall of politicians is cheap tactic

The story "Dozens step up for Smith, Brown" (Nov. 22), about Jeff Smith's and Steve Brown's sentences, implies that they got a sweeter deal from U.S. District Court Judge Carol E. Jackson because she received many letters of support for them, from individuals of the "influential kind." The story cites no evidence that Judge Jackson's sentences in these cases are softer than her other sentences in similar cases or evidence that other judges' sentences in similar cases have been more severe. In the absence of such evidence, the observations come across as mean-spirited.

Smith's and Brown's supporters have nothing to gain from such support. On the contrary, they may be taking a risk by supporting disgraced politicians. Why would they step forward? The answer may lie in taking their words at face value: These are two good men who did a bad thing. Instead, the story tries to steer the reader in another direction, with sarcastic observations such as, "Seemingly no detail [in the letters of support] was too small to show their crimes were out of character." The supporters' praise for a "lifetime of public service and good deeds" is diminished in the story by the addition of "even though Smith is only 35 and Brown is 42 and served just eight months in the Legislature."

It's true that Smith can come across as holier-than-thou, especially in the film about him and his contempt for U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis, an excellent legislator. One can understand the temptation to gloat now that Smith has been brought down by his own cynical and illegal behavior. But gloating isn't journalism; it's just a cheap shot.

Ben Sandler — Chesterfield



Crime is a concern

Apparently, St. Louis ranked second in the CQ Press's "City Crime Rankings" survey ("Crime survey cites city," Nov. 23). One may question how the statistics were presented. However, I expect a more articulate response from St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay's spokesperson than that the survey is "stupid" and "totally bogus."

The spokesperson said that the survey hurts tourism and business. Is that what we are worried about? What about the safety of the citizens? If St. Louis had ranked as one of the safest cities, what would the response have been?

I commute to work to the city from St. Louis County. Although I realize that crime can happen anywhere, I definitely feel much safer in the county. St. Louisans know that crime in the city is high. We take extra precautions when we go out for lunch and venture into the city at night. We avoid certain areas. We also know that, in the past, violent crimes against women were under reported.

As a result, I'm not sure I can trust the city's statistics. How's that for a survey? Is it stupid or just totally bogus?

Resa Manson — Chesterfield



Biomass: Don't ruin

soil for 'green' energy

"Biomass breakthrough" (Nov. 22) is wrong, and investors should be very cautious. To those who support biomass, I ask them, "Where are your brains?"

I am a retired farmer. My greatest challenge from an agronomic standpoint while actively farming was maintaining the organic matter in the soil. It's the same challenge facing farmers today.

Our farms have lost 50 percent of their original organic matter. We need to incorporate all our agricultural waste back into our soils. Unless we do, the organic matter in the soil will continue to decrease, wind and water erosion will increase and the ability of our soils to continue to feed this country will deteriorate. The quantity of wood waste will mostly disappear, and the forests will erode.

A picture with the story shows steam emanating from a pile of wood chips at a University of Missouri power plant. Biomass cannot be stored unless it is completely dry, or it will heat up. That means it is burning up on the ground, not in a power plant.

Destroying our soils will have more serious consequences than global warming ever will.

Marvin H. Meyer — St. Charles



Hope for the future

The editorial "The dislocated" (Nov. 22) paints a grim picture of work and life for too many people today and possibly for many more next year and in the years after.

The problem seems so large that most people probably feel inadequate because they don't know in which direction to move.

I have few answers. But I do know this: Education is the key to change.

College-educated adults are suffering, too. But, with their training and their ability to solve problems, they at least have a hope of finding employment and a better life. Those without basic reading, math or critical-thinking skills have little hope for meaningful employment or managing their own health or the health of their families.

All who lack these basic skills should seek free adult education that is offered by the 10 metro Missouri Adult Education and Literacy programs that stretch from Union to Bonne Terre, throughout Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis counties and in St. Louis city.

We can prepare you for the GED examination, brush up employment skills, help you get ready you for the Work Keys test, get you prepared for post-secondary or teach you to read or to do basic math. Our certified teachers consider each student as a unique individual with specific needs.

Adult education is not something that was implemented during this current crisis. Our particular program has been helping adult students successfully for 40 years.

While I can't even begin to solve the myriad of problems addressed in the editorial, I can offer free, quality education for adults who need it. That, at least, is a beginning.

Sally Sandy — Creve Coeur

Director, Parkway Area Adult Education and Literacy



The bottom line

wins again

I saw the Cepia Company's ZhuZhu Pet toys featured on a local news show. I was thrilled that a local company was having such success and planned to purchase some of these toys for Christmas gifts.

However, I was appalled to learn that Cepia manufactures the toys in China. Sending our manufacturing overseas is a major contributing factor to rising unemployment in the United States. Producing this product in St. Louis, or at least somewhere in the United States, could have given a boost to our economy. When people have jobs, they have more money to pay for necessities and, thus, to buy things like toys. Why doesn't anyone seem to get that?

As usual, the bottom line again prevails, and U.S. jobs are lost to another country. Lower wages, fewer workers rights and lax environmental controls mean higher company profits.

When will companies wake up and realize that when American people don't have jobs, spending on goods and services suffers? Why couldn't this have been turned into a success story with a "Made in the U.S.A." label?

Debra Cox — Manchester



Reverse in St. Louis

In "The Plan for Northside? Here's Exhibit A" (Nov. 22), a story about a redevelopment project at the Denver-Stapleton airport, the subheadline with the pictures said, "Developers turned airport property ... into a thriving housing development."

About our area, we could use this caption: "City turned thriving housing development ... into airport property."

Jo Clark — Bridgeton