(no subject)

[prophetonpaper.livejournal.com]

LETTERS TO THE PROPHET Owls a Menace As of late a new menace to our way of life has surfaced: At all hours owls are fluttering in and out of my kitchen as if it's an owlery, delivering me notices, adverts and "exclusive offers". The refuse is getting positively atrocious. I've no use for an ultra-thick titanium cauldron, or these so-called "elongation charms". Indeed, I'd kindly request the one young man whose persistently posting me, claiming he's a prince - despite, as his return address would indicate, living in a basement in Cardiff - please seek medical attention immediately. It's a gross invasion of both my privacy and the privacy of my family to have birds of prey swooping in at all hours, demanding I purchase perfectly useless products. I expect next we'll start getting howlers, or maybe heads will pop up in the Floo during supper time. It's unacceptable. The Ministry should step in immediately and put an end to this nonsense. -Flanna Thorburn

As Discrimination Divides In times like these, as I cradle my newborn son in my arms, my thoughts cannot help but stray away from his next feeding; instead, I dwell on injustice and inequality. With the privilege of being a half-blood, my month old son can very well crawl into some of the most popular shops in our world without a second look, while I—his Muggleborn mother—have the distinct honour of being stared at, questioned, and perhaps even kicked out of the establishment. It is absolutely archaic that in 1980, in the midst of a gruelling war, overt discrimination against Muggleborns continues to grow. Aided by the ludicrous rumours regarding Muggleborns spreading illness and disease, these discriminatory acts are nothing more than distractions from what is really important. Deciding that I am unfit to pursue a selection of designer dress robes because I'm going to muck them all up with a non-existent germ isn't going to keep Death Eaters from tearing down your door. Nor will giving me nasty looks in public, with the delusion that a mere regard somehow makes you better off than those who treat me with the utmost respect. If we plan to make it through this strife, we cannot make mistakes that have been made in the past, by the Wizarding World and the Muggle World alike. Using Muggleborns as scapegoats will solve nothing and only act as a means to divide us as opposed to bringing us together through such dreadful times. Our divisions empower them, and I believe now is the time to take action to deter entities that are obstructing equality. Our livelihood depends on it. -Lily Evans Potter

Carpets are a Sensible Choice The recent article that polled the top methods of transportation of 1980 has me very concerned. Prices on brooms have gone up, no doubt to make them more sleek and stylish, while there is no effort being made to come up with a modest and cost-effective alternative that is suitable for families such as flying carpets. I find it disappointing that Britain has not yet abolished the ban of this method of transportation that has been celebrated in many other parts of the world for centuries. Flying carpets are very appropriate for anyone who wishes to seat more than two at a time, as I'm sure many of Britain's residents are. I raised my four children abroad, and looking at these polls I cannot imagine what it is like to be raising a family now in a country that continues to ban the use of broom substitutes. Not everyone is a Quidditch star, most of us just want to get to and fro comfortably and safely. -Albert Hoque