Vaccinated early against materialism

Vaccinated early against materialism

I am so thankful that I was adopted at the age of 7 from Kazakhstan (which not that many people know about). It is weird to think that something like having a mom who abandons you when you are 3, then having to live in an orphanage for four years, could make someone be thankful about it.

Although it has taken me a few years to realize the good things that have come out of those bad circumstances, I now have very little sense of need or desire for things that aren’t essential to my everyday life.

No matter how essential people tell me something is, I can always think of a situation in which I have lived with less. If I lived throughout my life without that 72-inch plasma screen TV, maybe it would not hurt if I decided that I could continue to live without it.

This society is so based on having the best things to make you happy.

I have learned that even though I live in the land of prosperity, I don’t need objects to feel happy. I can just be thankful.

ANDREW WESTMAN
BLACKSBURG

It’s up to the U.N. to punish atrocities

Punishment of Syria for using chemical weapons (if true) has to be decided by the United Nations and should not be done alone by the U.S.

We are not the policeman of the world and should not be in charge of enforcing the Geneva Convention.

Please refer to my letter of June 23, “Obama shouldn’t have drawn a line.”

FRITZ NEUHAUS
ROANOKE

Really shock Syrians with humanitarian aid

Re: Syria.

How come we always resort to missiles (and, heaven forbid, “boots on the ground”) when we feel compelled to “do something”?

It’s like admitting that we have only one tool in the tool box.

How about a “shock and awe” humanitarian outreach to the refugees instead?

SHARON DILLER
BLACKSBURG

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