Editorial

Paying a visit to Santa Claus has been an American family tradition for many generations. I can still remember giving Santa my Christmas wish list when I was a child.

Although Santa has become a more secular figure, some say he relates back to St. Nicholas, a kind bishop who traditionally distributed gifts to children.

Santa's location in mall. Catholic families in the Madison area, however, might want to reconsider a visit to Santa Claus at Madison's West Towne Mall. Why?

This year, the Victoria's Secret lingerie store was moved from one end of the mall to a more central location. This puts Victoria's Secret right in front of Santa Claus! A Catholic Herald reader alerted me to this situation and I went to see for myself.

Sure enough - there was Santa Claus in front of a display window featuring several scantily dressed models. The models' positions and wearing "apparel" were even more suggestive than usual.

Sensitive to families. Victoria's Secret could be more sensitive to families visiting the mall during the holiday season. The company carries pajamas. How about having models wear something less offensive?

But a call to Victoria's Secret revealed no sensitivity to these concerns. The woman answering the phone said no one else had complained. I suggest concerned readers contact them: phone 1-800-475-1935; fax: 1-937-438-4290; or go to www.VictoriasSecret.com

Marketplace of our time. Malls have become the "marketplace" of our time. Many young people frequent them. Many other folks (myself included) like to walk in the malls, especially in the winter.

The window displays for some stores at the malls are bad enough throughout the year. We need to let them know they offend us and we won't patronize these companies - either at Christmas or any other time.

We should also contact the mall owners (West Towne Mall at 608-833-1544) and suggest they relocate Santa to another part of the mall that is less offensive to young children and families. It's time to make corporate America aware that their actions have consequences.

Better yet: how about celebrating the feast day of St. Nicholas (December 6) and emphasize the spiritual aspects of the Advent and Christmas season with our families.

Mary C. Uhler

Mailbag

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Pro-life support for Alito

To the editor:

President Bush is to be enthusiastically congratulated for his outstanding appointment of Judge Samuel A. Alito to the U. S. Supreme Court. While under Democrat control, Judge Alito was unanimously confirmed as an appellate judge in 1990, by both the Judiciary Committee and full Senate. At that time Senator Ted Kennedy said Alito has "a distinguished record". . . "[w]e look forward to supporting you." Judge Alito has since served with distinction on the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

President Bush has honored his commitment to appoint Supreme Court justices in the molds of Justices Scalia and Thomas. Judge Alito has acquired the nickname "Scalito" because of his similarity to Justice Antonin Scalia.

In Planned Parenthood vs. Casey, Judge Alito voted to uphold informed consent, parental consent, and reporting and public disclosure requirements. He also supported that the husband first be informed if his wife was having an abortion.

It should be noted that Judge Alito voted to strike down a partial-birth abortion ban, citing that it is the "responsibility" of judges "to follow and apply controlling Supreme Court precedent." As an appellate judge, he was powerless to overturn a Supreme Court decision and demonstrated judicial restraint. There is little doubt, however, that as a Supreme Court justice, he would vote to stop this grizzly abortion procedure.

Judge Alito is a nominee the entire pro-life movement can, without hesitation, get behind. President Bush has hit a homerun by nominating Judge Alito. We call on the liberal pro-abortion senators to give Judge Alito a fair up-or-down vote by the end of the year.

Bradley Mattes, Life Issues Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio

Causes for lack of readiness

To the editor:

In "Katrina: Door to other America" in the Catholic Herald (October 6, 2005) [print edition only], Tony Magliano asks several questions about inadequate federal emergency response to Katrina and then uses two columns to attribute it to official, public, and private indifference to the plight of the poor.

There is certainly some validity to his answers, but Congress' response to public demand for lower taxes is certainly a more immediate answer. No legislator or other public official ever won an election on how he voted on emergency preparedness, although some have lost.

The church's current hierarchy seems more concerned on how congressmen vote on abortion, stem cell matters, and eligibility for Holy Communion than in their support of the preferential option for the poor.

Someone has said we get the government we deserve and the response to Katrina is that government.

Karl Andersen, Lake Mills

Liked pilgrimage to Italy

To the editor:

We thank God for allowing us to complete such a great and holy pilgrimage to Italy. To participate in daily Mass at the Catacombs, St. Peter's tomb, Eucharistic Miracles Church, Marian Shrine, pray the rosary in many holy places, such as the streets of Assisi, see the Pope in his Pope Mobile was more than one can ever imagine.

Thanks to our spiritual director, Fr. Rick Heilman, and tour guide, Juan Landa. Other pleasant memories include Italy's countryside, vineyards, gondola ride, food, Roman ruins, Venice, Florence, Siena, Assisi, Rome, and our new spiritual pilgrim family. Let God's blessing continue to shine through.

Lloyd And Janet Berning, Sinsinawa