I was truly saddened by your article on the effects of the MTA bus strike (Bus Strike Taking Toll on Malibu Workers, Oct. 5). What causes me to write is the lack of compassion for other’s suffering, by two Malibu residents interviewed for the article.
One Point Dume resident says she is “delighted” over the strike because she is not as fearful over the way the buses allegedly “race down the hill and exceed the speed limit.” I have never noticed any MTA buses driving unsafe, but even if I had, the first thing I would do is write a letter to the city and complain. I certainly hope this Malibu resident who is delighting in the misfortune of others wrote a letter or made a phone call to complain about these unsafe driving habits. I have found that the best way to change something is to take action to change it.
Then the article mentions another resident who is missing her housekeeper, telling of how she really needs her for “the floors, the windows, and the bathrooms.” Maybe this person could possibly lend a hand and go pick up her housekeeper for the day and enable her to do what this woman needs done. This may also get her housekeeper to other jobs in Malibu, or maybe give a ride to her friends as well so that they can all have one day of work.
I am amazed at how anyone can be “delighted” and another can be complaining about not having clean bathrooms when there are poor, sick, elderly, disabled, and the less fortunate who are suffering greatly because of the strike.
While one person is rejoicing or another is upset about dirt and dust, there are people who are not getting to doctor’s appointments and not getting to their jobs, which means not being able to put food on the table or pay the utility bills. Some are walking for hours to be able to get to work and others are not getting there at all because it would take an entire day to walk there.
I thank God every day for what I have and that I am able to get around. I thank God that I have two arms and two legs to be able to clean my home and that I am not stuck somewhere with no transportation and can get my bills paid. I “delight” in waking each day to health and a roof over my head. The comments of these people invite me to ask them to take a look at what they have and to climb out of their own little world of comfort and convenience and take a look at what others do not have.
Alethea Guthrie