Letter to the Editor

Washington like the Dead Sea

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Dear Editor,

There must be an oasis somewhere that will support life in the desert that has been created by dictators, a poor economy and political upheaval. Newspapers and television coverage keeps us on edge about this.

An oasis is any spot in a desert that will support life as long water is available on a regular basis. All it needs is underground springs and streams to feed it.

Artesian wells are a good source of water for some areas. Yet, we all know that wells can go dry. In the early days, Nebraska was referred to as the "great American desert." Irrigation has reclaimed the land. Good farmers know that the land must be properly cared for and worked. A crop cannot be planted and ignored. Weeds have to be controlled. Fertilizer produces a higher yield. Quality seed must be used.

Our economic crisis is like a well that is about to go dry. The quality of our leaders needs weed control and careful nourishment.

Like the Dead Sea or Salt Sea at the southern end of Israel's Jordan River, we can become trapped. This body of water has no outlet. It is 53 miles long and nine miles wide. Fresh water from the Jordan and other rivers flow into it. Water in it is heavily saturated with salt, sulfur, strong minerals and chemical compounds.

Amazingly, date palms manage to grow in some areas near the Dead Sea. Birds and wildlife avoid it.

We need to regroup and clean up our act. If we don't, our government may become trapped like the Dead Sea. Being trapped with no escape is frightening.

Helen Ruth Arnold,

Trenton, Nebraska

Comments
View 3 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • I believe you err, but only a tad, Helen. When everything goes totally Sour, the 'leaders' will go to that hidden Oasis, and leave the Constituency with the Dead Sea. But, I am only supposing, since I cannot swear to that. We can only go by what other leaders have done throughout history.

    You say well. We do need something to change for the better, or very soon, nothing will grow back.

    -- Posted by Navyblue on Tue, Apr 12, 2011, at 2:34 PM
  • *

    It is not merely our "leaders," but we the people, whom must accept blame. We who demand something for nothing. We who are now a nation divided by two camps--those whom produce, and those who live off the producers. The politicos, most not being worthy of the term "statesmen," will gladly serve whichever camp proves more likely to ensure their return to office.

    "The fault, dear Brutus, lies not in our stars, but in ourselves if we are underlings." -- William Shakespeare, from 'Julius Caesar.'

    -- Posted by Bruce Desautels on Fri, Apr 15, 2011, at 8:06 PM
  • In a way like Mr. Desautels I believe society is divided into two segments. Those whom believe that society or any segment of it can easily be divided into well-defined categories, and those who know better.It would have been interesting and instructive to have seen examples cited of the categories Mr.Desautels proposes.

    He quotes Shakespeare without seeming to recognize the irony from his previous assertion that few of our "politicos"are worthy of the term statesman.If this is true- which I believe- then it is indeed our fault for not recognizing and electing those who would act in that manner.

    -- Posted by davis_x_machina on Mon, Apr 18, 2011, at 8:42 AM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: