THANK YOU ...
... to public safety units
Meridian Fire Station One hosted a “Public Service Day” Oct. 20 at their station. Demonstrations included a police officer commanding a police dog to attack “a bad guy” on command. We watched a team of firefighters demolish a car to save the occupants trapped inside after a “pretend accident.” Kids had their faces painted and met McGruff and Sparky and we were offered smoke alarms for homes. Participating agencies had brochures to make your life safer.
Special thanks to Melissa Delaney, crime prevention specialist (Meridian Police Department) for encouraging the Neighborhood Watch groups to attend. I met and talked to police officers, a Probation and Parole agent, firefighters, a rep from Ada-City County Emergency Management (phone 208-577-4750, ask for “Crash”) and other professionals in related fields. Shout out to the elected officials and police and fire and natural disaster employees and local merchants and volunteers who participated. Let’s do it again every year. This will change your life, if you let it.
Citizens need to be partners with public employees in preventing crime, practice fire prevention, being prepared for natural disasters and learn safety techniques.
ARLENE E. BALDWIN, Neighborhood Watch coordinator, Meridian
... to cattleman’s group
As a member of one of the ranching families that was impacted by the catastrophic wildfires that swept through southeast Oregon in July, where our grazing allotment and that of our sons were 99 percent destroyed, we want to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all those who helped us deal with the immediate needs placed upon us by this unnecessary and unfortunate fire.
We were especially grateful to Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, its members, and the support of their Stewardship Fund, which generously came to our aide with 100 tons of hay for our operation alone in this emergency.
In addition to the emergency program, OCA coordinated meetings on the site with legislators to evaluate the ramifications of the wildfires and to discuss prevention plans going forward. We see this as the most important assistance we could receive and sincerely thank them for their efforts on our behalf.
We thank all those who supported the OCA’s Stewardship Fund with their donations of the hay, the drivers who donated their time and hauling expenses, and all our community friends and family who helped those of us affected by the fire.
Thank you all.
RICHARD AND MARGENE EIGUREN, Jordan Valley, Ore.
DRIVING
Learn how to merge
Outsiders coming to Idaho need to learn to drive. Just because of road construction, and one lane is closed, it doesn’t mean you can drive all the way to the end and expect to get let in. The signs are out there for a reason, and not for you to ignore. What makes you so special and great? Our time and money is just as precious as yours and we are just as in a hurry to get to our destinations as you. Comply like everybody else or go back to those supposedly nice cities you rave so much about. Merge nicely. Nobody asked you to come here. Don’t like it? Leave. This is how we roll in Idaho. It’s people like you that cause road rage. You think you’re better than everyone else and don’t have to pay attention to rules and regulations. Maybe if you would get off your cellphone and quit texting, you would pay attention like the rest of us and wait your turn in the correct lane.
DAVE RODEN, Boise
ECONOMY
We have overspent and overpromised
America is in a financial crisis and doesn’t seem to have the will to fix it. America has over-promised and overspent herself into this financial debacle. Obama thought he could easily cut the national debt in half in his first term as president; instead, the debt soared to $16 trillion during his administration.
Today, more Americans are on government assistance than ever before — 50 percent receiving government benefits; 60 percent of the government’s outlays goes to entitlement programs; and the government sends over $2 trillion a year to individuals.
How did we get in this mess? During the boom following World War II, policymakers crafted a series of safety nets for the poor and needy as well as income and medical security for veterans, the disabled and the elderly. But those well-intended programs were built on the assumption that economic growth and the culture of the mid-20th century would persist. It didn’t.
The aging population lived longer, fewer people married and had fewer children, and immigration declined. The country’s demographics no longer matched the growth-dependent design of its elderly assistance programs. By 2010 the government oversaw the transfer of over $2.2 trillion in money, goods and services. Money, services and goods the government didn’t have.
MORRIS BASTIAN, Boise
JOB CREATION
Bring back the draft
Employment creation suggestion:
Bring back the draft. It will create jobs for high school grads, give them time to decide if they want to go to college or not, give them some life experience away from home, and give them opportunity for training in some job. Some may decide to make a career of the military, and if college is their choice, they can use the G.I. bill. They can even go to college, etc., part time while in the service.
CHICK URIONA, Meridian
FOOD STAMPS
How is coffee covered?
I would like the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to explain to me why food stamps can be used to purchase expensive coffee drinks ($14 for two items). They were seen being purchased at Starbucks in the Fred Meyer store on Franklin Road in Boise.
These drinks would hardly seem to qualify as necessary food items for good nutrition and a healthy diet!
BOBBIE BROWN, Boise
STATESMAN
Letters and laughter
In the Oct. 5 issue of Time magazine, a columnist portrayed Idaho as lacking in humor, i.e., “Nevada (is) the second least funny state after Idaho.” I beg to differ and offer the following as proof of the jocularity found in Idaho. Contained in the Oct. 7 edition of the Idaho Statesman was another of Dano Savino’s exercises in humor — must be in humor because no way could Savino be serious. To be sure, he threw in some arcane references, just to remind us of his intellect — they only added to the humor. Just when a hearty laugh was needed, the Idaho Statesman came through — publishing Dano Savino’s latest diatribe.
JANETTE MCFARLAND, Fruitland
Political cartoons areone-sided and polarizing
I have read the Statesman for over 50 years. Recently the political cartoons have been very polarizing and one-sided. The one of Romney and the binder comment by Mike Luckovich is the last straw. How about a little fairness? Also get rid of Mallard Fillmore.
MARY CROWSON, Boise
VARIOUS
Coming up next ...
“Other Top (?) Stories.”
Schwarzenegger says he’s still a credible voice in politics.
Eastwood says he’s still a credible entity in the entertainment industry.
Rumsfeld and Cheney say U.S. forces are getting closer to finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
Stay tuned!
PAUL GUSTAFSON, Boise
