"The Amish have taught us many life lessons recently. Right after I pray for their healing, I'm praying for ours"
Kate Kleinert
Glenholden, Pa.
After reading your story on the murder of five Amish girls, I felt I was right there amidst the shock and sadness. The cruelty in our world today is unbelievable. It is amazing that a 32-year-old man can buy guns and commit the murders of unsuspecting children. How can anyone feel safe anymore? Children should be able to go to school without worrying that they might end up getting hurt.
Katey Nickel
via e-mail
The Amish may be out of step with the world in regards to modern technology, but they are far ahead in what is more important, the ability to forgive those who wrong them. Getting revenge, which begets more violence, is currently the world's standard operating procedure. Blessed are the Amish peacemakers; they are truly God's children.
Paul L. Whiteley Sr.
Louisville, Ky.
The second I heard about these shootings I was sick to my stomach—sick of people thinking they can go into our schools and take the lives of our children. Not that any school deserves what happened, but the shooter could not have chosen a more peaceful and loving people to do this to. This is a disgusting, selfish act. My heart goes out to the Amish.
Vikki Dinh
San Diego, Calif.
I cannot believe the insensitivity shown by the media. For the Amish, having their photo taken goes against all that they are about. You could have told this story without the photo of the Amish girls on your cover. I am disappointed by your decision to run this photo.
Stacey Reibach
Pittsburgh, Pa.
CHRISTINA MAILHOT
Thank you for your article on Christina Mailhot, the 27-year-old with Down syndrome. I have a 2-year-old son who has Down syndrome. Being a young mother there are lots of questions and worries I have about my little boy, especially about his future. Christina's story has helped. She seems like a wonderful, very determined young woman, who has given me plenty of hope.
Kelly Harvey
Winchester, N.H.
Your story on Christina Mailhot couldn't have come at a better time. My 27-year-old mentally handicapped daughter just signed a lease on her first apartment and is having second thoughts. I keep reminding her of Christina and her accomplishments. Of course I will worry every minute of the day, but I know this is the best thing I can do for her to gain her independence.
Eldona Wright
Edmond, Okla.
CASTLE-HUGHES EXPECTING
I just read about Keisha Castle-Hughes being pregnant, as if this were a good thing. She is 16. She has been with her boyfriend for three years? Where are this girl's parents? She is setting such a bad example for the girls out there. Just because she has made a few movies and is purportedly a "star" does not make this okay.
Laurie Woldman
Forest Hills, N.Y.
FOOD FIGHT
Many readers felt our story about the school program that requires children to carry ID cards that restrict them from buying junk foods in cafeterias missed the mark. "With the huge increase in childhood obesity I can see the need for this program," writes Lori Ford of Louisville, Ky. "But why do schools serve these food choices at all?" Others felt the program might humiliate some children. Writes Jill Fraticelli of Belle Mead, N.J.: "I find it demeaning and ostracizing to have a student be told they can't buy a 'restricted item' while they're still in the lunch line, likely with many peers."
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
