Copyright 1999 The Omaha World-Herald Company
Omaha
World-Herald
July 1, 1999, Thursday SUNRISE EDITION
SECTION: ;EDITORIAL; Pg. 12; Public Pulse
LENGTH: 2004 words
HEADLINE:
Public Pulse
BODY:
Don't Cheapen Flag
From:
Ayub Spencer, Bellevue
Why does this flag-burning-amendment issue keep
popping up? Why is this necessary? There has been no rash of flag burnings
across the country. Politicians are simply playing to the emotions of a simple
electorate. Fortunately, some politicians, who have actually seen war,
understand that this amendment actually cheapens that symbol for which we
profess such reverence. Thank you, Sen. Bob Kerrey.
Does anyone else
feel this is yet another attempt at government control over our freedom of
speech and expression? These emotion-packed issues are instigated until the
public is begging for government intervention. We can't stop ourselves from
creating career politicians, so please enact term limits. We are careless with
our own safety, so please make it a law that I wear a seat belt and a motorcycle
helmet. Now, the God-fearing electorate asks, "Please enact a law that will
promote idolatry." Where is this country headed?
No One Helped Mom
From: Stephen S. Walker, Flower Mound, Texas
Why did no one stop
when my mother, Susan Walker, was involved in a June 15 accident near 87th
Avenue and Pacific Streets that took her life and sent another young lady to the
hospital? Surely someone driving by would have noticed the severity of the
accident. Yet no one stopped as my mother sat dying. Surely the mere time of the
accident - 5:15 p.m., the height of rush hour - would have produced several
passing cars and one person would have stopped. But no one did. Surely the
location would have obstructed traffic to the point that someone would have
stopped to at least push the cars out of the way. But no one did.
I know
that the chance that my mother would have survived such a tremendous collision
was slim. However, I also know she had no chance at all as long as no one
stopped. No one did. The events are truly ironic, since my mother spent
countless hours helping others, tiring at times yet never complaining. She would
have stopped.
I do not write this letter to condemn those drivers who
managed to turn their heads in indifference or even a society that has made such
behavior commonplace. Rather, I challenge all drivers to evaluate their true
priorities. Is getting to the next stoplight first more important than holding a
dying woman's hand as she takes her last breath or, better yet, saving a life? I
hope not. Please stop. If anyone has any information on this accident, please
call the Omaha police at 444-5627.
A Plus for Postal Users
From:
Mike T. Matuzek, Omaha District manager, Central Plains Performance Cluster,
U.S. Postal Service
A recent column by John Estes ("Postal Bill
Compromises Service") was laced with factual inaccuracies and misinformation.
Service is the best ever at the Postal Service, and our commitment is to
continue improving service.
The bill Estes referred to, HR 22, the
Postal Modernization Act of 1999, would put more, not less,
accountability into postal rate-making. For the first time, the
Postal Service will be legally required to hold its price changes for a
first-class stamp at or below the rate of inflation. The Postal Regulatory
Commission, the independent federal agency that would oversee our pricing, also
will have increased powers under the bill.
Whether or not HR 22 passes,
the Postal Service has no intention of wantonly raising its rates. Our vocal
customers, stiff competition, technological innovation and Congress make sure of
that. Recent history shows that we can deliver inflation-based rates. Our last
two price changes have been well below the inflation rate.
Estes says HR
22 would give the Postal Service the power to buy private companies. The
proposed Private Law Corporation would operate separately from the Postal
Service and, more importantly, generate its own revenue.
Americans have
nothing to lose from HR 22 but plenty to gain: an even more productive,
accountable U.S. Postal Service.
Mexican Meds Cheaper
From: T.R.
Tibbels, West Point, Neb.
Medicare proposals to cover drug expenses are
unnecessary. "Snowbirds" who go to Texas every winter tell me they can get many
of their prescription medications over the counter in Mexico, usually for
one-fifth to one-half what they spend in the United States.
Why? Maybe
because of the bureaucratic regulations and paperwork they impose on U.S.
distributors. There will always be those who believe that paper is more
important than patients.
Under the free-trade agreement, maybe Mexico
could establish a mail-order system that would negate the need for more Medicare
regulations.
Prevail, Bemis Artists
From: Gracie Schroeder,
Elkhorn, Neb.
I have empathy for all the Bemis artists who lost their
art to the fire. I lost many of my paintings to a fire in a gallery at the Old
Market several years ago. With determination, I now have a body of work to enter
in local and national shows. I also had the encouragement of family and friends.
Artists have a lot of fortitude. I know that the Bemis artists will go
forward with outstanding art.
They Want Your Guns
From: Ray J.
Rhoades, Columbus, Neb.
This is one man's opinion that I think is being
accepted by more and more Americans. Bill Clinton and his followers are totally
committed to confiscation of all guns. They are doing this by not enforcing the
many gun laws we already have. Then, when an incident such as the Colorado
school shooting occurs, they scream for more laws. The media are willing helpers
in these attempts.
My theory is that when this occurs often enough, they
hope that Americans will say "enough" and demand total confiscation.
Heston for President
From: June Jochum, Norfolk, Neb.
Hurrah for Charlton Heston! If he were president, maybe we would get the
country in balance as it should be. His speech at Harvard (reprinted on the June
20 More Commentary page) covered about everything that has gone haywire in this
country of ours.
Abortion Unlike Guns
From: David Frana,
Nebraska City, Neb.
In response to Nicholas Jones (June 21 Pulse): There
is nothing ironic about conservative Republicans who promote the legal ownership
and use of firearms and are against abortion. Gun ownership is guaranteed in the
Constitution through the Second Amendment. Nowhere in the Constitution is there
any mention of so-called abortion rights. The Supreme Court pulled that nonsense
out of thin air.
What is really ironic are liberals who proclaim how
much they care about children while at the same time promoting abortion.
Story Told Truth
From: Sybil Finken, Glenwood, Iowa President,
Glenwood Parent/Family Association
Thank-you to The World-Herald for its
recent coverage of the investigation of alleged sexually transmitted disease at
the Glenwood State Hospital School. The facility was totally vindicated by the
findings of the investigation, which proved the suspected chlamydia outbreak to
be nothing more than a lab error. Too many times, only the bad news makes the
front page. The World-Herald showed its integrity in making certain that readers
know the truth.
Don't Lionize Snipers
From: Irvin Peckham, Omaha
I wonder whether other readers questioned The World-Herald's decision to
feature on its front page (June 21 Sunrise Edition) the sniper training camp in
Nebraska. In the wake of national concern with U.S. gun use and the Littleton
shootings, it seems oddly insensitive to glorify this camp with such a spread
complete with large photos, the silhouette of a target (resembling a tombstone)
with bullet holes, the sniper motto "one shot, one kill" and a comment from one
of the snipers-in-training: "I'm enjoying the hell out of this ... I really love
it."
I understand that wars occur and that in wars troops need snipers.
Nevertheless, The World-Herald seemed to glorify the business. I suspect that
far too many young people - particularly young boys who seem too easily to be
drawn into the machismo of gun games - don't really understand that the game
those troops are playing has as its purpose killing people. Necessary, OK. But
let's not make a hero game out of it.
Hearts Must Change
From:
Billy David Dickson, Omaha
Let me get this straight. Some people do not
believe we should put the Ten Commandments up in the public schools because it
would be forcing some kind of views on others. But surely they are not for kids
killing other kids, and surely they don't want kids to lie. Those are the things
the Ten Commandments talk about. At the same time, the answer is not the
commandments but a spiritual change in the hearts of young and old people. The
Commandments are powerless to change folks unless they have a spiritual heart
change.
It's Hard on Retirees
From: Glenn Kreuscher, Lincoln
I totally disagree with the June 14 editorial, "Hard Realities on
Medicare." The writer probably has no idea what high drug prices are doing to
the population on Medicare and on set retirement incomes. It is probably the
most devastating factor facing the retiree today, along with Nebraska's high
real estate taxes.
Some elderly persons can't afford the medication they
should be taking, while others are forced into financial hardship because of
this problem. They end up in expensive hospital stays or spend their last dollar
in nursing homes supported by taxpayers.
A lot of this could be avoided
if we had a caring, thoughtful, statewide publication that got on the bandwagon
and helped correct our most serious societal problems.
Look at OPS
Spending
From: Doug Kagan, Omaha
Regarding a June 23
World-Herald editorial, I hope nobody gets the idea that I and Nebraska
Conservatives for Freedom asked the Omaha public school board not to return to
neighborhood schools. Our organization from the beginning supported a return to
neighborhood schools, with local control, and wants the plan to succeed.
Our opposition targets the projected expenditures of tax money on the
plan for items not paid for by bond issue money, such as additional teachers and
staff, with accompanying benefits and curriculum materials, to lower the
teacher-pupil ratio, a concept never proved to have enhanced student achievement
or test scores.
During the bond issue campaign, OPS pledged to cut its
budget to pay for these additional expenditures. We, however, warned that the
upcoming budget would seek higher property taxes from district homeowners to pay
for this social engineering. The projected OPS tax levy, furthermore, will not
completely neutralize the valuation hikes on homes. See, we told you so!
Teens Need Freedom
From: Peggy Adair, Omaha
I thought of
what Independence Day means to me, my family and my country as I read the June
13 World-Herald editorial, "The Other Side of Teen-Agers' Freedom." Whoever
wrote that is not only a talented journalist but also an analytical thinker who
recognizes the detrimental effect of adult oppression on the independence of
almost-adults.
American adolescents need freedom in order to learn how
to be free. While they are still safe in the fold of the family, they learn from
their freedom how to make choices, handle mistakes and be responsible for one's
own life.
It is foolish to propose more, "tougher" rules against normal,
almost-adult behavior for the purpose of assuaging adult paranoia.
My
four children have never had a curfew. They have never been grounded. They made
their own informed decisions from the time they were toddlers. And they are
responsible, mature, well-mannered, compassionate, self-reliant, positive
leaders who would make any parent proud.
My father immigrated to this
country to be free. He taught his children how to be free. It is how I honor my
parents and my country. Freedom should be every American's legacy, passed on to
every child.
LOAD-DATE: July 7, 1999
