Mail to the Illinois State magazine editor for August 2012:
PROTECTING OUR PARKS
What magnificent pictures accompanying the outstanding article on Alfred Runte (February 2012)! Runte is on target about protecting our national parks.
Runte’s words are spoken in the hearts of all environmentalists, conservationists, and citizens who value the beauty of this planet. The need to see the value of soil, plant life, aquatic life, and wildlife is essential to sustaining life.
The legacy we are leaving to future generations should be one of respect and worth for farmland, water sources, aquatic life, and wildlife; and to make this planet a better place for all humans.
Thank you for bringing this topic to our attention. Let’s hope all who read and discuss it will hear the message of protecting the national parks. These are areas set aside for our enjoyment and restorative energy.
Brenda Varnold Dilts ’61
OCCUPY STORY
I am appalled by the May issue. Two stories are at best left-wing propaganda.
The Occupy story says nothing about the true intent of the movement. The goal of the founders of Occupy is to take out capitalism. They are pro-socialist, Marxist, and communist. You glorified a movement to take down America.
The following story on the economy blamed greedy people for the crash of the economy. It makes no mention of the real blame, which is the Community Reinvestment Act from 1977 that forced banks to loan money to people unable to ever pay it back. Housing prices rose, people took out equity, they got in way over their heads—then the crash. Prices rose because of increased demand caused by more people able to qualify for loans. Congress failed the country by trying to socially engineer prosperity.
What happened to my alma mater? I’m deeply disappointed in both stories being printed as factual.
Diane (Sroka) Benjamin ’84
