Letter: Apathetic public to blame for problems

Sam Chinkes

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007 | 6:57 a.m.

We read about war, bloodshed, starvation, financial disasters, crime, corruption, pollution and the general decay of our civilization. We put the blame on various political, labor and business figures. We blame the time in which we live. We find fault with many things and display our own ability to analyze today's problems, whether local, nationwide or international.

Well, folks, knock it off. It's we and we alone who are at fault. The mirror has held the answer for centuries. It's just a piece of polished glass but it won't ever lie to you. Just look at it and see the one at fault.

It can reflect a perfect image of the nonparticipating but very critical person. The busy, busy person who isn't quite nosy enough to get involved. Why are there so few doers? Why are there so many willing to "Archie Bunker" their way to certain destruction?

Does anybody know what I'm trying to say? Just to be sure, I would like to spell it out, so here goes:

"A" is for attitude concerning atrocities that occur on a frequent basis. "P" is for the pampered, paper-pictured politicians who plaster us with yeses while actually concentrating on your next vote, their income, improving their handshaking ability and smiling, etc.

Here comes another "A," which stands for the action that must happen if only we can make up our minds and hearts to recover our self-respect. "T" is for time, and it's running out. The time for action is now. "H" is for the heroic effort that it will take to make up for our past mistakes. Finally, "Y" is for you (very plural), and you are the only ones who can accomplish this. Or you can ignore it. That's APATHY.

Sam Chinkes, Las Vegas