Levee failures flooded New Orleans, not Hurricane Katrina

Several paragraphs into the article "Metro East levee upgrade costs climb" (Oct. 5), is the phrase "... after flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans." It is important that the flooding that occurred in New Orleans be described as what it was: flooding caused by defective engineering of the flood walls that protected the city, caused by the negligence of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.

This distinction is especially critical in light of very next sentence: "Design problems allow unacceptable levels of seepage through and under levees and threaten their integrity." The levee along the 17th Street Canal in New Orleans was experiencing seepage for at least a year before the levee collapse on Aug. 29, 2005. When it was reported, it was characterized as "normal seepage." The 17th Street Canal levee collapsed at exactly the spot where it had been experiencing "normal seepage."

With more than half of U.S. cities, including the three Metro East counties detailed in the article, protected by levees and dams from the Corps of Engineers, mischaracterizing the events in New Orleans is a disservice to readers.

Our city was nearly destroyed by defective levees built "on the cheap." When the Metro East considers its options, this should be a consideration.

Bari Vaz — San Diego

Formerly of the Lakeview Neighborhood, New Orleans



Disheartening sale

It is disheartening to hear that the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod made the choice to sell KFUO. I recently received a letter from the station's program director, Chuck Rathert, asking for my donation. It said, "KFUO is on the verge of its greatest national and world presence ever, and while the reach of our programming has changed dramatically, our message of eternal life in Jesus Christ has not."

As a Lutheran, I do not find the message of eternal life in Christ offensive. What I do find offensive is that KFUO did not mention a possible sale or change in format and that the LCMS did not include a note about its secretive, imminent sale. Had they been upfront about this, I would have not sent them my check.

I hope KFUO realizes that a majority of the people tune in to the station for the quality of the music that is broadcast. They receive the gospel on the side.

Olive Cernik — Town and Country



Much squandered

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has not done a good job managing its funds and now is sacrificing one of the nation's premier classical radio stations. On the church's balance sheet is a place for "good will." The church's board has squandered that as well.

Melodee Placial — Troy, Mo.



Protect the Constitution

I was interested the editorial "Calamity Jane strikes again" (Oct. 5), about "Tenthers." I support their efforts.

I am a senior citizen residing in a retirement community. Earlier this year, a number of residents here formed the Concerned Conservative Senior Citizens. Our mission is to protect and maintain the Constitution of the United States of America. We believe it is the document that has enabled this nation to be the finest nation in the history of the world. Our concern is that it is routinely ignored by the governing bodies of this nation, particularly President Barack Obama. While he pledged to defend it when he took his oath of office, he doesn't have much time to ponder it now, between giving mesmerizing speeches and traveling around the world.

It is imperative that citizens of this country refresh their knowledge of this vital document. It is brief, especially compared to the multi-pound stimulus package and health care reform documents.

We need to make the Constitution a living, meaningful document again or this beloved nation will be in great peril.

Blaine Ulmer — Sunset Hills



Show me the clause

The editorial "Calamity Jane strikes again" (Oct. 5) was surprising in that it not only acknowledged the existence of our 10th Amendment but even quoted it in full. I'm curious: How did the editorial writer manage to type those words without reading them?

At least he was able to locate his copy of the Constitution, and that's a start. Now, please do readers a favor: Read Article 1, Section 8, "Powers of Congress," and tell us which clause therein gives our representatives the authority to take over our health care system.

The 10th Amendment clearly states that any "powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution … are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

Eugene Makovec — Kirkwood



No authorization

Leave it to an editorial writer at the Post-Dispatch to misrepresent the U.S. Constitution. Who was the "constitutional expert" who proclaimed the meaning of Article VI, paragraph 2 in an editorial under the derisive title of "Calamity Jane strikes again."

First, the contract known as the U.S. Constitution is a document of limited powers. The powers granted to the federal government by the people are "enumerated powers," not a general grant of power.

The 10th Amendment, which the Post-Dispatch finds inconvenient, was added to remind the federal government that any powers not granted in the contract remain with the states.

When making a case for national health care, rather than deride state Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, who intends to enforce a legal right under the Constitution, the editorial writers would do well to point out which article and paragraph in the Constitution authorizes the federal government to provide health care to individual citizens. Good luck finding it. No such authorization exists.

If the editorial writers wish to add a new "health care" right to the Constitution, they will need a "yes" vote of two-thirds of the House of Representatives, a "yes" vote of two-thirds of the Senate and a "yes" vote of three quarters of the state legislatures. Until then, we must stick with the contract as it is written.

Lee A. Presser — Manchester



Keep it up

Regarding "No. 1 in child predator arrests" (Oct. 1): I congratulate FBI Special Agent John Gillies, the rest of the FBI and all who worked to secure convictions on the more than 100 people arrested on charges of child pornography or sex crimes against children in two years. I thank God for them. I hope they keep up the good work.

Shirley Watkins — Riverview Gardens



Wasted money

Regarding "Virtual fence is found to be lacking" (Sept. 29): Our government has spent $3.7 billion on the fence and other needs for security, plus another $500 million in 2006, all to keep Mexicans out of the United States.

How many immigrants has this kept out? And for how long would that money have taken care of all immigrants? What a waste.

Virginia Triplett — Louisiana, Mo.



Immoral act, response

Dave Letterman is, of course, a fixture on late night television. On his Oct. 1 show, he and his audience made a mockery out of his adulterous activities. The career of far better men have been crushed by this exact conduct.

Mr. Letterman gave his confession in a comedy format, and the audience continued idiotic laughter and applause as he told of his immoral act. This is the culture that is America today. God save America.

William Braudis — St, Peters



The hypocrisy

Michael Moore has a new hit documentary with "Capitalism, A Love Story." I have a suggestion for his next documentary: "Hollywood, the Hypocrisy."

Carol Size — Des Peres