Established
in 1937
Letters to the Editor
(Editor’s Note: Views and commentary,
including statements made as fact, are
strictly those of the letter-writers.)
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Typed, double-spaced letters written solely to this newspaper and/or Website are considered for publication. Hand-written letters that are double-spaced and legible
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* * *Response to generator question at senior site
From Ruth Samuel
Cave JunctionThis is an answer to Sharon Reasor (Letters to the Editor, Dec. 20).
I appreciate her being an American Red Cross volunteer. I have been a volunteer at Illinois Valley Senior Center since February 1999.
The senior center is completely operated by volunteers -- there is not one paid employee. We are doing a fantastic job and are always welcoming new volunteers; someone who might be able to furnish flashlights, matches, candles and oil lamps and be there during all emergencies.
The power outage had nothing to do with volunteers of the center. In the years I have been volunteering at the center I recall nothing of a generator being disposed of.
During Reasor’s stay she probably noticed that we are in the middle of redecorating and repairing the center. The day she visited we were in the middle of painting the main room and kitchen, and things were upset. Also she was walking on brand-new carpet.
She may have noticed also that we have additional new rooms in the rear of the one she was in. Our desire was to get them completed before she was due to arrive, but were unable to do so.
The American Red Cross has been using this building for several years. The members of the center completely gave up any use of the building while they were using it and never complained. I believe this happens three times a year. This may be why no one was around to help Reasor look for a flashlight, etc.
Our main thought is to complete the addition and have it ready for the Red Cross during its next visit.
Our plans are to install new heat pumps and a generator in our addition for use during emergencies. The weather was ahead of us, and Reasor should consider herself lucky; some people were without electricity for days in the same area.
‘Made in the USA: spoiled brats’
From Stan Smith
Cave JunctionThe other day I was reading “Newsweek” magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?
Here I promised myself this week I would be nice, and I start off in this way. Oh, what a mean man I am.
The “Newsweek” poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and that 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence, two-thirds of the citizenry just ain’t happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle-dragger that I am, I starting thinking, “What we are so unhappy about?” Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen during the last year?
Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good
enough.Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved. Whether you are rich or poor they treat your wounds; and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to a hospital.
And one of 70 percent of Americans own a home. They may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top-notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving them, their family and their belongings.
Or if, while at home watching one of many flat-screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teen-agers own
cell phones and computers.How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the United States, yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are: The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord that we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11?
The president who cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander-in-chief of an all-volunteer army out there defending you and me?
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for our freedom.
There is currently no draft in this country. They didn’t have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a “general” discharge, an '“other-than-honorable” discharge or, worst case scenario, a “dishonorable'“ discharge after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want, but I blame it on the major media. If it bleeds, it leads, and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner?
The media know this, and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by “justifying” them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a man like O.J. Simpson to write a book and do a TV special about how he didn’t kill his wife, but if he did. Insane.
People should stop buying the negative venom they are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn “Newsweek,” and use the “New York Times” for the bottom of the bird cage.
Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.
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