Opinion

Editor,

As a concerned parent and a melanoma skin cancer survivor, I was present when The tanning ban bill was presented to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee last Thursday.

Melanoma is becoming an epidemic among our young people. It used to be a disease seen in older people and has now become the second highest cause of cancer for those in ages 15-39. The risk of melanoma increases 75 percent with tanning bed usage before the age of 30. My surgical oncologist tells me that many of his patients are young people and many of them die.

Listening to the 911 tapes now, after we know what was about to happen at family killer Josh Powell's house, the 911 call takers seem agonizingly dense and rude.

They ask questions that seem bizarrely off point, constantly interrupting and speaking over callers as they try to explain themselves.

As Powell is about to strike his children with a hatchet and set his house on fire, a 911 call taker asks Powell's case worker, who is calling from her cell phone in the driveway in front of his house, "Are you in a vehicle now or on foot?"

NEW YORK -- A bunch of racists in South Carolina is trying to hold down blacks by forcing them, and everybody else, to show photo identification before they can vote.

Astonishing!

Editor,

In this day when the economy is bad and many people are out of work and in need, I and many others, would like to extend a thanks to those who were involved in keeping the true spirit of Jesus Christ alive and fulfilling his words, "inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matt. 25:40). A heartfelt thank to all!

Sincere appreciation goes to those who spent time in organizing the event and volunteers, the purpose of which was to help members and non-members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This event was open to anyone, no matter what religion, race or language and took place Jan. 21, 23, and 24. It was sponsored by the Weber Heights Stake.

Editor,

President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address displayed his strength as a speaker. His intonation was solid, and filled with the highs and lows of his voice, probably like his days in the Oval Office. Further, I enjoyed his clear message about the strength of our country, which is contrary to rumors abroad. The United States "is not in decline." Amen and alleluia! I read of those rumors years ago and was saddened and questioned whether it could be true or not, and to what extent.

Editor,

As a home medical equipment (HME) provider, I am concerned with significant flaws in the current competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment (DME) in Medicare.

Over 200 economists and auction experts from around the world have publicly stated that the current Medicare competitive bidding program is not sustainable in its current form. It will create significant barriers to access and will destroy the HME infrastructure upon which our seniors and people with disabilities rely.