Readers Respond - March 8, 2014

A shameful legacy
Abita Springs
Peter Finney’s March 1 column, “(Edwin) Edward’s sad legacy of narcissism and greed,” was timely. Timely not only because he announced he was thinking about running for office, any office, again; I was also shocked. Are you kidding me? What nerve to expect the citizens of this state to elect him to anything.
But don’t be surprised if he would run, he would get some votes. My daughter-in-law recently lost her grandfather and gave me a few of his old books. One was by Clyde Vidrine called “Louisiana Political Hijinks,” which itemized the shenanigans of Gov. Edwards. I knew he was bad but didn’t realize just how bad. Even if Mr. Vidrine’s expose was only half-true, it was really disgusting to see how crooked this man was. I have no reason to believe Mr. Vidrine was lying, since Edwards had stabbed him in the back, and this was his get-even book. It is really an eye-opener about politics, not only in Louisiana, but the whole country. Thanks for your many articles relative to human-interest stories. I enjoy reading them.
LEO SANCHEZ

Our brothers’ keepers
Metairie
Beth Donze’s Feb. 8 column was a good very article, touching on the forgotten son in the story of the Prodigal Son, which in my experience of homilies past, was hardly ever mentioned. As Ms. Donze wisely points out, we all, including generous Ken Langone, need to reflect on every character in this parable, especially when we kind of think “we” have it right, and those other poor souls, “Oh, well.” In my years of religious education, especially later years, I often used this story, paying much more attention to the “spoiled, somewhat self-righteous” one who had everything, but had trouble enjoying and sharing it. Pope Francis correctly points out that as disciples of Christ, we need to ever be aware of the good and bad of all social systems and critique them, especially when one or another might be disproportionately harming many citizens in a system. Capitalism is not always all peaches and cream! Thanks for your words of wisdom.
STERLING MILLET

Spiritual fodder
Slidell
Just a quick note to say that Beth Donze’s column in the Feb. 8 edition, “Pope dares us all to look in the mirror,” was so on the mark! I am using your article, Matthew 6 and Mark 12 for my daily meditation this week. Thank you so much.
MICHELE BERGERON