The Times deserves credit for its thoughtful and sensitive series on poverty in Hall County. It provided a careful analysis of the economic, cultural, structural and generational forces that lead to and perpetuate poverty. 

However, the most surprising thing in reading The Times this week was the number of conservatives who were apparently deeply triggered by any discussion of poverty that did not adhere to their personal beliefs and prejudices. What kind of person can read about the powerful forces that produce poverty and the stories of the people who are caught up in them, then feel compelled to write a letter bitterly criticizing the poor?

I think some of the letter writers from the past week would do well to remember the words of Jesus about the poor and our responsibility to help them, as well as his description of the extreme difficulty the rich will have in entering the kingdom of Heaven. It may not ever be possible to completely eliminate poverty through positive efforts, but the problem is only made worse by savage denunciations of those who suffer from it.

Bryan P. Sorohan

Gainesville

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