THANK YOU ...
... for providing great care to my mother
My mother, age 94, recently passed away, and there were two organizations that made a big difference in the last 12 months of her life that I want to publicly thank. Mom was initially hesitant about moving from her townhome into an assisted living facility, but the professionals at The Bridge at Valley View quickly won her heart, and that became her new “home.” She participated in many of the activities where her diminishing eyesight was not a hindrance; she especially loved the trivia games and singing the old songs. All of the staff, the front desk, the nurses, aides, housekeeping, and dining room attendants — I thank you for all the care and attention you gave to Stella.
Once Mom was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, we invited A Better Way Home Hospice to provide comfort and palliative care in her final days, which were far fewer than expected. The nurses, aides and chaplain were so wonderful to her, and to us, that they made the transition a smooth one. Once she finally departed, we knew Mom was comfortable and had received absolutely great care from Valley View and from A Better Way Home.
Thank you to both!
STUART GUSTAFSON, Boise
WARREN JEFFS ADS
A little discretion can go a long way
Two ads appeared in the Jan. 20 Statesman. They were from the polygamist community in Texas and the Hildale, Utah/Colorado City, Ariz., groups, run by Warren Jeffs. Warren Jeffs is currently serving a life sentence in prison in Palestine, Texas, for two counts of sexual abuse to a child.
No, the ad itself is not offensive, and yes, I also believe in the right of free speech and freedom of religion. However, this polygamist group is characterized by child sexual abuse, and running an ad that is trying to persuade others to join them seems to me like the Statesman is prostituting itself. Just because the New York Times, and The Washington Post ran the ads doesn’t make it right. Sometimes a little discernment and discretion goes a long way. Too bad you can’t take a stand and say, “No, the Statesman will not support a group that abuses children.”
KAREN SWANSON, Meridian
Anything for revenue?
Really? A new Revelation by Warren Jeffs publicized on the front page of the Statesman? Did no one at the Statesman remember that Warren Jeffs is nuts? That he’s a raving, pedophilic lunatic now residing in prison for sexually abusing little girls? Anyone? I remember and I’d be willing to bet most of your readers will remember this vile pile of dreck that masquerades as a human being.
Are revenues so dear that you’ll accept anything from anybody for a little cash? Twice?
Bad judgment, Statesman, really bad judgment.
CHARLOTTE BROTHER, Boise
REP. RAUL LABRADOR
Voters want results, not talking points
Regarding state Democratic Party chairman Larry Grant’s inaccurate comments regarding Rep. Raul Labrador.
Grant lists the dangers of putting Social Security savings into the stock market. Well-managed stock funds are still solvent. The Social Security program is not. It will be operating in the red in just a few years. The GOP is trying to give choices in how retirement funds are handled to the people. Grant scolds Labrador about the payroll tax vote. If he voted with Grant’s party it would defund the Social Security fund even more.
The GOP has never voted to end Medicare. They want to give more choices to individuals. Labrador co-sponsored a bill that ended subsidies equally across the board for all energy interests including big oil. The Affordable Health Care Act is reducing individual choice, burdening businesses and is too expensive for taxpayers.
There are endless inaccuracies in Larry Grant’s letter. Voters are tired of talking points and want changes and results. Congressman Labrador’s voting record reflects what he promised. He has restored my faith and hope that this mess can be corrected.
MARILYN AITON, Boise
GOVERNOR’S RAISE
Give the money back
A 4 percent raise for Gov. Otter? C’mon Butch! Show some class and donate that sum to fund a program your administration has short-changed. Medicaid or education are just a couple that spring immediately to mind.
SYDNEY YOUNGERMAN-COLE, Boise
CHINA
Idaho’s economy: under new management?
Ah, yet another, “We need to support Idaho’s innovators and entrepreneurs” speech. The fact is, actions speak louder than words. The governor’s advisory board for science and technology was disbanded and a more attractive concept appears to have taken its place. In a state touting “most patents per capita” (a statistical aberration based on Micron and H-P), a new deus ex machina has arrived — China!
It’s a whole lot easier to sell the family silver than it is to get an honest job. Outside the state, the perception is that Idaho has been working overtime to pander to Chinese interests, China having identified Idaho as a potential toehold on U.S. soil — the camel’s nose under the tent, if you will. Idaho would get the satisfaction of a quick infusion of easy cash straight into a main artery. Who needs innovation?
I find it a bit ironic that an eagerness to berate the “Socialist” Obama administration does not mitigate a willingness to mortgage the farm to the Communist Chinese government-owned business empire. We should perhaps at least consider introducing mandatory Chinese language lessons at the high school level as a way to ease transition to the new management.
BRUCE BOATNER, Meridian
ECONOMY
This is what the Occupy movement stands for
Business headlines this week:
“U.S. factory output surged in December.”
“Wholesale prices drop due to lower prices for food and energy.”
“Homebuilders are less pessimistic about depressed housing market.”
“Ebay’s net income grew.”
“U.S. wine exports hit record in 2011.”
“Labor department reports employer layoff numbers are down in 10 of last 11 weeks.”
“General Motors has recovered and reclaimed first-place ranking worldwide.”
The economy is improving, bin Laden and Gadhafi are dead, our involvement in endless desert tribal wars is winding down, our warriors coming home — but President Obama gets little credit! He has accomplished so much, in spite of roadblocks set up by both parties.
The GOP debates have been nothing more than trashing President Obama, and then each other. None of the candidates acknowledges involvement in our current economic crisis — loose regulation is part of the problem and they all want less regulation? Yup, don’t want to upset their corporate campaign contributors. Totally unregulated campaign donations were a gift from the ultra-conservative Supreme Court.
If the elections this fall can be bought by corporations, our individual votes will mean nothing. Anyone with a brain can figure out what the Occupy movement stands for!
JEANNE PAULS, Eagle
