Everyone could learn a lesson in human frailty from Schrenko's fall

Editor:

Barry Paschal's Nov. 14 column on the indictment of former Georgia state school superintendent Linda Shrenko undoubtedly echoed the disappointment felt by many of those who held a firm belief that she was an innocent victim of rough politics.

The column tells how Paschal felt reporter Laurie Ott had been off the mark with her seemingly zealous reporting of the charges alleged against Shrenko. At that time I felt exactly the same way, and was highly critical of Ott. Now, we find that the allegations have become serious charges which will likely be held to be true by the legal system.

Shrenko is an intelligent woman, and I am sure if she's proven guilty she will accept her punishment and perhaps gain a semblance of peace and relief after having to carry on a sad charade of innocence all these months.

Shrenko's case is a poignant example to us all. We should examine our lives and take note of how we tend to bring about our own suffering, not blaming others. We should be grateful for our minds, health and even our looks: there will always be others who are better off -- or worse off -- than we.

We should be realistic with regard to our ambitions and not be prepared to fritter away our integrity to fulfill those ambitions.

I've met Shrenko on only one occasion and I still like her. She has fallen victim to her own thoughts and actions. Dissatisfaction permeates her public life. That this attractive woman felt she needed plastic surgery is just one observable indication of her overall lack of appreciation for the wonderful gifts she possessed; family, teaching career, looks, friends and pleasant living conditions.

Let us learn from Shrenko's unskillful route to her present situation and refrain from kicking her while she's down. Reaching our true spiritual potential is not an easy job for any of us frail humans. Compassion is a good start.

Gene Rickaby

Martinez