THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 19, 1996 TAG: 9606190008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 55 lines
Charlise Lyles' article about responsibility for the theft of baby formula being with society was totally within character for Ms. Lyles and totally out of the norms of acceptable behavior. The only people responsible for this theft were the lady and her two accomplices in the getaway car. They are thieves! The cost of their thievery is higher prices for all.
The amount of formula stolen indicates to me that this was a thought-out plan and the thieves already had a place for the formula. I surmise that the eventual stop for the profits from this theft will be some drug dealer's pocket and not the mouth of a crying baby, as Ms. Lyles implies.
Using Ms. Lyles' logic, we should all go out and get what we want without paying because society owes us a better standard of living. That would only be fair because of hard times, Dickensian welfare reform and a criminal minimum wage leading to the baby-wailing to come.
The only wailing I hear is the continual whining of Ms. Lyles in her column. If that whining continues, it is going to lead to the silence of my checkbook when it comes time to renew my subscription.
Using Ms. Lyles' logic, I can just go up to any newspaper machine and take what I want.
Yes, Ms. Lyles, I hear the crying!
LEN ANTONIK
Norfolk, June 9, 1996
Columnist Charlise Lyles paints a picture of a desperate young mother stealing formula to feed her baby, or perhaps to stock up on formula when the states new ``tougher'' welfare takes over.
Ms. Lyles even admits that the stolen formula may be sold on the ``black market'' or right out of the car the woman's accomplices were driving.
Is this money going to be used to buy drugs and/or booze?
How do we know this woman is a ``tough young mother'' or just a common thief stealing to get money for only she knows what?
What about the two men waiting for her in the car? Do they have jobs? How do they pay to operate their car? What class of man would send a woman into a store to steal?
Ms. Lyles should realize that the majority of people are tired of carrying these leeches, and the welfare reform that Virginia has enacted is coming throughout the country. It's my opinion that even our socialist president, if re-elected, will be forced to sign into law very similar legislation.
With the minimum wage of $5.15 per hour and with child care, health care and transportation thrown in, the wage paid to these drones will exceed $12 per hour. Fortunately for those of us who work for a living, this nonsense comes to a halt after several years and can be doled back out for only two years out of every five years.
Most of us know who the cops should be chasing: It's the three thieves in the car.
EDWARD LAWLER
Zuni, June 9, 1996 by CNB