Parish
If You Can't Help, at Least Don't Hurt
RECEIVED Tue., Sept. 20, 2005
Dear Editor,
After reading a reactionary letter on Thursday I felt compelled to respond [“Postmarks,” Sept. 16]. Kandace Heimer's harsh and unfair criticisms of Cindy Sheehan were totally uncalled for. I marched right behind Cindy when she was here in Austin recently and when a man started yelling, "Impeach Bush," she gently told him to please not say that. Cindy seemed genuinely sweet and concerned, certainly not the unsavory type of person insinuated in Heimer's illogical line of reasoning. Just because Cindy is against the war doesn't mean she's against the troops and supports the insurgents and terrorists! I'm sure such thoughts were not on the minds of people at the vigils while they prayed for those killed and those still fighting in this senseless war.
Cindy is more patriotic than right-wing extremists; she and other anti-war protesters want desperately to improve the lives of people in this undemocratic nation of ours. It is people like Heimer who are disgracing and dishonoring this country with their hatred and ignorance, which is the root of all suffering. Life provides us many opportunities to achieve insight, wisdom, and compassion. People who choose to be close-minded and malicious are impeding the achievement of social and economic justice. As the Holiness the Dalai Lama teaches us, "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them."
After reading a reactionary letter on Thursday I felt compelled to respond [“Postmarks,” Sept. 16]. Kandace Heimer's harsh and unfair criticisms of Cindy Sheehan were totally uncalled for. I marched right behind Cindy when she was here in Austin recently and when a man started yelling, "Impeach Bush," she gently told him to please not say that. Cindy seemed genuinely sweet and concerned, certainly not the unsavory type of person insinuated in Heimer's illogical line of reasoning. Just because Cindy is against the war doesn't mean she's against the troops and supports the insurgents and terrorists! I'm sure such thoughts were not on the minds of people at the vigils while they prayed for those killed and those still fighting in this senseless war.
Cindy is more patriotic than right-wing extremists; she and other anti-war protesters want desperately to improve the lives of people in this undemocratic nation of ours. It is people like Heimer who are disgracing and dishonoring this country with their hatred and ignorance, which is the root of all suffering. Life provides us many opportunities to achieve insight, wisdom, and compassion. People who choose to be close-minded and malicious are impeding the achievement of social and economic justice. As the Holiness the Dalai Lama teaches us, "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them."
Working and protesting,
Anita Quintanilla
Anita Quintanilla
