Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 21 December 2006 — Page 2

Page 2 • The Muncie Times • December 21, 2006

EDITORIAL From The Muncie Times: A Merry Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year to y'all

As 2006 draws to a close and 2007 is peeking over the horizon, this will be our last edition of the year. So, it is time to wish everybody a Very Merry Christmas, a Most Exciting Kwanzaa and a Very Prosperous, Healthy and Peaceful New Year. That's a lot to ask for. But we are hopeful that 2007 will be a better year, for everybody, than 2006. Yet, as we prepare for a special holiday season, let us not forget the less-fortunate people

among us. These are the homeless, the poor, the unemployed, the sick, the dying, the ones who have given up on life. They are many people across the world, the United States, Indiana, Delaware County, Muncie and its environs who are not looking forward to a sumptuous Christmas, Kwanzaa or New Year's meal because they cannot afford. There are some who, daily, have to wonder where their next meal is going to come from, who cannot afford med-

ication or doctor visits when they get sick. They have nothing to wear, nowhere to sleep during this winter season. Their lives are tough, rough and brutish. They live on the cusp of despair. They are helpless and hapless. They are the kinds of people most of us would rather not see, smell or think about. They are the underbelly of society. In fact, most of us would rather not even believe that they exist. They remind us of societal failures. That is why it is crit-

ical at all times, but especially during this holiday season, to think about such people. We should be thinking about what we can do to make life just a little better for society's victims. There are many things that we can do, not just to assuage and salve our consciences but because they are the right things to do. We can give surplus clothing to churches, the Salvation Army, Goodwill, the Muncie Mission for distribution among the needy. Many of us have closets, attics and basements bursting with clothes we no longer use because they are too big, too small or because the fashion world has passed them by. Yet they are other people who could gladly use them. Many of us have excess warm or winter clothing that we no longer need or use. We could share those items with our less-fortunate neighbors and residents. Many of us splurge at Christmas. We go to malls and act crazy, as we shop for this and that. Maybe, we could buy an extra shirt, toy, blouse to give to those who are desperate. Instead of thinking about ourselves, our friends, relatives and loved ones, we should

think about sharing. We can serve as bell ringers for the Salvation Army or volunteer at our churches, Goodwill and the Muncie Mission. We can volunteer to serve in soup kitchens and Christmas or other holiday meals. So, as we come to the end of 2006 and as we celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year and related holidays, let us also take the time to remember the less-for-tunate among us. Let us do what we can to help others, whether it is through financial, toy, clothng, food or other donations, through inviting others to our holiday tables. Let us think outside our comfort zones. Let us do what we can to make this a better world, especially for those at the bottom of the ladder. A little less selfishness and more generoristy would be a good beginning as 2007 kicks in. MEANWHILE, THE PUBLISHER, EDITOR AND STAFF OF THE MUNCIE TIMES SAY: MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY KWANZAA AND A PEACEFUL, PROSPEROUS AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU. SEE YOU AGAIN IN 2007.

The Muncie Times accepts and publishes “Letters to the Editor" under the following conditions: •The letter must indicate the writer’s name, address and phone number where the writer can be reached during the day. Addresses and phone numbers will not be published. •If the writer wishes the letter to be published under a pseudonym, that wish will be honored.

However, the writer’s full particulars must be included in the letter along with the suggested pseudonym. •Letters must be brief, preferably no more than 300 words long and should, if possible, be typed and double-spaced. Hand-writ-ten letters will also be accepted. •The editor reserves the right to edit all letters for brevity, accuracy, taste, grammar and libel.

•All correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor, The Muncie Times, 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. •Unsolicited manuscripts will only be returned if the writer includes a self-addressed, stamped envelope with correct package.

MUNCIE TIMES STAFF

Publisher Bea Moten-Foster Editor John Lambkun Advertising Cathy Evans Graphics & Design Adrian Barrett Contributors: T.S. Kumbula, Nicole Johnson, Hurley C. Goodall, Bernice Powell Jackson, and Marc H. Morial Administrative Assistant Belinda Castelow

The Muncie Times is published twice monthly at 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. It covers the communities of Anderson, Marion, New Castle, Richmond, and Muncie. All editorial correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor, The Muncie Times, 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. Telephone (765) 741-0037. Fax (765) 741-0040.