Wednesday, May 14, 2008
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Letters to the Editor  |
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| • Ogden needs pedestrian-friendly attitude |
| It was with interest that I read the May 6 commentary by Michael Vaughan, "Whenever you need to go somewhere, consider walking." He made valuable suggestions. What he failed to acknowledge, Ogden does not seem to have a pedestrian-friendly attitude. No one cares. Drivers either ignorantly or deliberately disregard their responsibility. |
| • Societies are doomed when people lose virtue |
| Sixty years before Christ, great orator and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero watched plaintively as his republic faded before his eyes and Julius Caesar became the first Roman emperor (dictator). As today, some felt betrayed by their leaders, but Cicero knew that the people themselves were ultimately responsible for Rome's fall, saying, "Do not blame Caesar, blame the people of Rome who have rejoiced in their loss of freedom, who hail him when he speaks in the forum of more security, more living fatly at the expense of the industrious. Julius was always an ambitions villain, but he is only one man." |
| • Drive slower to improve gas mileage |
| It is so painful for each of us to have to fill our gas tanks. I own a second car, and I called my friend at a local dealership to ask how to improve my gas mileage. He gave me two suggestions: 1) When I see a red light ahead, I take my foot off the gas and coast, 2) I do not drive faster than 60 mph on freeways. |
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 |
| • Therapist ignored facts about EC |
| The May 9 letter, "Abortion won't resolve pain from assault," condemned University of Utah students for promoting the option of emergency contraception (EC) to women who have been sexually assaulted. She "was saddened" these students and the university were "promoting killing innocent children." |
| • Undoubtedly, police chief learned great lesson |
| I think it's time to get off the back of Riverdale Police Chief Dave Hansen for the mistake he made during a training class when he accidentally shot himself in the foot. I am sure that he has learned a great lesson from it, both mentally and physically. |
Monday, May 12, 2008 |
| • Congress' inane policies have failed veterans |
| I've always found it interesting, if not mirthlessly humorous, how Congress can so easily find scapegoats for its own inaction and incompetence. I recently read an article on CNN.com, wherein the chairman of the House Veterans Committee, Rep. Bob Filner, of California, said that the Veterans Administration is "criminally negligent" on veterans' suicides. He insists the VA has either ignored critical suicide data or covered up the numbers. |
| • Tender-hearted reader's wish for race horses |
| Over the years I've thoroughly enjoyed watching the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes horse races. That said, as I get older I'm getting more tender-hearted and have more empathy for mankind and animals. |
| • 'Bugs' need working out on FrontRunner |
| Regarding FrontRunner: When it's good it's OK, but when it's bad, oh my gosh. As long as the train is on time, it's great. Mostly you sit rather than stand traveling to your destination. Seats aren't plush, but there's leg room. |
| • Oil companies' high profits prove rip-off |
| Did anyone notice a small article in the Standard-Examiner on April 30 stating that the large oil companies in Europe made $17 billion in profit for the first quarter of 2008? ("Oil giants report massive profits"). One company posted a 63 percent surge in net profit and the other made a 25 percent profit surge. |
| • People who elected Bush may vote McCain |
| Regarding the May 4 letter, "Despite Financial advantage, Dems will lose": The writer may be right, but it will not be for reasons stated. As for misspeak, the worst was McCain stating that al-Qaida troops were being trained in Iran and crossing into Iraq. This is proof McCain has no idea what is happening in Iraq. Iranians and Iraqis hate al-Qaida; in fact, there were no al-Qaida militants in Iraq until the U.S. invasion. |
| • Kids will remember lessons from DARE |
| I just wanted to thank the Sorensen Foundation and the Weber County Sheriff's Department for making the D.A.R.E. program such a success in our schools. On May 7, I attended my son's D.A.R.E. graduation at Roosevelt Elementary School. I was so impressed with Officers Garcia and Ortgetzen, the four students who presented their D.A.R.E. essays, the officers and K-9 dogs, Mr. Smith, the school counselor and Mrs. Stokes, the principal. |
Sunday, May 11, 2008 |
| • Uncle Sam wants to raise your kids |
| Last year my wife and I made a decision to do something (which we could have easily prevented) that was guaranteed to increase the risk that someone in our house would have a serious accident. |
| • Hatch, Bennett should help stop polygamy |
| The blood, sweat and tears of women and children that are victims of polygamy has been spilling onto Utah soil for decades. Nevada Sen. Harry Reid only scratched the surface when he pointed the finger at Utah and the state's top law enforcer, Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, for doing nothing. |
| • Benefits derived from plant-based diet |
| As skyrocketing food prices create political instability around the world, Americans are debating whether it's more important to produce biofuels like ethanol or crops to feed the hungry. Resolving this dilemma will require innovative thinking. As a dietitian, I know that switching to a plant-based diet should be part of the solution. |
| • Police chief needs gun-safety refresher |
| As a 45-year-old Marine who has served since the age of 17, I have instructed firearms safety to U.S. and allied military and civilian personnel and young adults (youth) for most of my life, and I'm a life member of the National Rifle Association. I have a few comments/questions about Riverdale Police Chief Dave Hansen's actions. |
| • Free health care only for those who can't work |
| I feel compelled to respond to the May 2 letter, "Less fortunate are entitled to health care and food." The writer suggested that social programs are for those who are less fortunate. I, as a hard-working taxpayer, would like to define "less fortunate" as those who can't work, not those who won't work. I don't believe there is a single taxpayer who would deny a person who can't work tax money for medical care or food. But I am disgusted with the growing number of people who won't work, yet demand that they are entitled to be provided for as the "less fortunate." |
| • Don't mistake bees for their nasty relatives |
| I'm sure lots of folks have heard that honey bees are dying, and nobody knows why. |
Saturday, May 10, 2008 |
| • Rome brought down by too many Goths |
| Secured by strong borders, the Roman Empire lasted for approximately 700 years. Many wanted in because life was better there. Thousands of people called Goths lived outside the empire on the east side of the Danube River. They desired to cross the border and participate in the prosperity and safety enjoyed in the empire. It was large, rich and governed by law and order. Needing workers, it was easy to find employment there. The Goths requested permission to legally cross the river. The Romans had compassion for those less fortunate than themselves. |
| • HAFB contractors also keep planes in air |
| The May 5 news article, "Civilians on duty, 90 percent of Hill employees keep warfighters in the air," makes me wonder aloud: What does the other 10 percent do? Nothing? I suspect the article was referring to civilians only -- i.e., not contractors. If that's the case, I must take exception to that proclamation. |
| • Bicyclist grateful for motorists who heed rules |
| The Wasatch Rambler's column promoting "bike friendly" road-riding directed a to-do list at bicyclists (May 6, "At these prices, bike friendly is an option"). |
Friday, May 9, 2008 |
| • School production was fantastic |
| Recently my family and I had the opportunity to attend the play, "The Jungle Book Kids," at Roosevelt Elementary. It was directed by Principal Melanie Stokes and Cheryl Parkinson, a sixth-grade teacher. |
| • Facts show Democrats are favored to win |
| The May 4 letter, "Despite financial advantage, Dems will lose," contained the predictions of a local Republican. |
| • Abortion won't resolve pain from assault |
| I'm writing in response to the three students from the University of Utah who were promoting the option of emergency contraception (EC) by health-care professionals to women who have been sexually assaulted (April 29 letter, "Offer EC to all sexual-assault victims"). I was saddened by the "project" these students, and the U. of U., are promoting: killing innocent children in the name of "choice" and "control of the mother's health." |
| • Ogden youth enjoying baseball again |
| I remember looking forward to riding my bike to the Harrisville ballpark for Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning baseball practices. Every boy in the school talked about playing baseball in the coming summer. |
| • Run power lines along existing west corridor |
| My dad always told me that the people with the gold are the ones who rule. That statement is sad, but oh so true. |
Thursday, May 8, 2008 |
| • Grouping youth according to age is best |
| Sports should never be the main focus of any school. The Ogden School District has taken what I feel is the only way to classify by grade. Our children face social acceptance and status problems at a very young age. Putting them into a much older setting can cause all kinds of problems. Sixth, ninth and 12th grades are milestones and achievements for students. |
| • Clearfield's new exit sign isn't very helpful |
| I love how Clearfield thinks it's Salt Lake City now. The thriving metropolis of Clearfield believes it can label its I-15 exits by its roads. |
| • Horses treated cruelly under guise of training |
| As a lifetime equestrian, I am writing about a problem that many seem to be unaware of, including myself, until I witnessed it. |
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 |
| • Hooper water board went against the people |
| Well, folks, doom-and-gloom Hooper city is at it again with fear tactics and threats. It exceeds all bounds of decency. |
| • We're not making good trades on tax dollars |
| In response to the May 1 letter, "10th Amendment should be our priority," in which it was stated that defense spending trumps social spending, which was the subject of remarks by retired Gen. Condon (April 28 guest commentary, "Defense spending is mandatory, social programs are discretionary"): I would say in principle I agree, in most cases. |
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