Childhood denied in Afghanistan
All the hope and excitement of
”
The Nutcracker
”
unfolded true to its promise held in the pages of this paper.
What a tasty treat for the eyes and ears! What fun to watch the
young enjoying their childhood.
As sweet as that is, it’s not so difficult to think of more
numerous children denied their childhood. Recently, I was present
at San Jose State University to witness Malalai Joya (not her real
name), the Afghan woman called
”
A woman among warlords,
”
describe her life from refugee camps to be the only
democratically-elected woman in the Afghan parliament.
Because of the murders, torture and rape, she named the
warlords
”
war criminals.
”
They responded by kicking her out of parliament. Only with
bodyguards can she move about her own country.
When she visits the West, she notices people enjoying water,
electricity and security. What we take for granted is nonexistent
or luxurious and unavailable for barefoot, hungry Afghan children.
It seems so sad to know that innocent children will never enjoy
their childhood, much less their lives.
How sad that instead of food, medical care and shoes, we send
more bombs, bullets and suffering.
Mary Zanger
Hollister
Childhood denied in Afghanistan
All the hope and excitement of “The Nutcracker” unfolded true to its promise held in the pages of this paper. What a tasty treat for the eyes and ears! What fun to watch the young enjoying their childhood.
As sweet as that is, it’s not so difficult to think of more numerous children denied their childhood. Recently, I was present at San Jose State University to witness Malalai Joya (not her real name), the Afghan woman called “A woman among warlords,” describe her life from refugee camps to be the only democratically-elected woman in the Afghan parliament.
Because of the murders, torture and rape, she named the warlords “war criminals.” They responded by kicking her out of parliament. Only with bodyguards can she move about her own country.
When she visits the West, she notices people enjoying water, electricity and security. What we take for granted is nonexistent or luxurious and unavailable for barefoot, hungry Afghan children. It seems so sad to know that innocent children will never enjoy their childhood, much less their lives.
How sad that instead of food, medical care and shoes, we send more bombs, bullets and suffering.
Mary Zanger
Hollister
Inn on the outs with COG
One of the early layouts for the Route 25 Bypass had an entrance from 25 into the Hollister Inn and a south-bound entrance from San Felipe Road to the Inn. The left-turn into the inn from San Felipe would be closed.
Somewhere along the way, the Council of Governments (COG) approved the elimination of the access to Route 25. Hollister Inn was nearly landlocked. Their representatives requested COG to reconsider the Route 25 access. At the Dec. 17 meeting, COG said no. Not their problem.
Now, Hollister Inn is left with one entrance, southbound on San Felipe Road. Hollister Inn estimated the financial impact at $1 million; COG’s low estimate was $5,000.
Hollister Inn is now in a position of having to battle the Sign Gods of Hollister and San Benito County in order to direct potential customers to their business. That will be a slow and costly process.
Marvin L. Jones
Hollister
