DEAR EDITOR: New Year greetings! A RC priest refused to bless toy guns and weapons given to children as Christmas gifts by their parents or other adults. This action should be supported not only by Catholics but by people of all faiths. The priest was making a public pronouncement: Why give guns and weapons to children as gifts?

Childen learn by example. Already we have an upsurge in crime in our nation What messages are the adults sending to children? Children are very impressionable. They copy cat actions from their peers as well as adults.

I am happy a “man of the cloth” has taken such a stance. His example can be followed by parents, teachers, community leaders, social activists and government officials.

Let us send a message to or youth that guns and weapons besides being illegal, can cause harm and even be fatal.

Children need positive examples, influences and mentors in their formative years. So much negativity is being portrayed all around us. We need to change this way of life/thinking and become more proactive.

Parents, guardians, caregivers, choose gifts that will enhance your children's abilities and not gifts that will destroy their minds. As our nation's children return to their classrooms, let us adults by our examples motivate them to be better citizens of the future and to lead by example.

May God bless our nation's children.

Ken Smith, Woodbrook

By Aries

Dedicated to the people in Trinidad and Tobago , whose families and friends may have been victims of the tsunamis. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.

Today, January 9, 2005 , is exactly two weeks since what started off as a normal day for many, ended up so disastrously. One can't help but imagine what was going through the minds of so many people prior to the tsunamis. So many families will never be the same, as many have lost loved ones, homes – their entire lives shattered. This is one jigsaw puzzle that will be extremely difficult to put together.

How can this disaster not touch us here in Trinidad even as the effects of Ivan on our Caribbean brothers have touched us. The year 2004 has certainly left its mark on millions of people in the natural disasters that have happened. It has caused our Government to be conscious of whether we are prepared for disasters.

I hope we don't wait until it's too late before we act. We have a tendency to say, “God is a Trini", but I don't think God would like us to just lie around and wait on him. After all, God helps those who help themselves.

It is difficult I know, to think that any good could be seen in this situation, but I've been taught to believe that out of every bad comes something good. Take for instance, the Thai Princess, saving that child, and for him to be reunited with his dad. That is obviously a miracle within itself.

The fact that people all over the world are sending food, water and necessities to Asia shows that we are people of heart. I'm hopeful we will hear about more happy endings. For those who are not hopeful, let us take comfort that the tsunamis' victims are with God.

As we look ahead to 2005, all we can hope and pray as a people is that God will continue to be merciful and bless us.

Take care and God Bless.