A jaw-dropping academy

We wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Albany Police Department for the wonderful class we just finished.

I would highly recommend the 11-week course called the “Albany Citizen’s Police Academy” to anyone interested in becoming more informed about our city and the inner workings of the police department.

We learned so many jaw-dropping things about the city that we looked forward to every single class. All of the classes were informative, fascinating and fun. We have gained a new respect and appreciation for the training and professionalism of the Albany Police Department.

I can truly say that I have never been involved in a community outreach program as outstanding as this one.

Thanks again, and keep up the good work. Special thanks to Carmen for making it all happen and keeping us all on track.

Sandi and Bryan Foster, Albany

Where a Democrat stands

There seems to be lots of panic out there over our new Democratic administration. Well, as a lifelong Democrat I’d like to throw my 2 cents into the pot.

Yes, we Democrats are more socially liberal as a rule. We generally believe everyone should be treated equally. I personally am straight but believe gay people should have the right to marry and adopt children or be foster parents.

I believe in a woman’s right to choose. I would never encourage anyone I know and certainly not my own kids to choose that route, but then again I wouldn’t threaten to throw my kids out of the house either due to a pregnancy. No one knows another’s circumstances. It’s a choice that needs to be legal.

I don’t understand racism. Who decided white people were better than everyone else? Certainly not me.

I seriously doubt Obama is going to ban guns, leave our country without a strong military, and tax us so hard we have no disposable income. The man isn’t even in office yet I am reading quite a bit in the Democrat-Herald about all the bad things that are going to happen. It’s true taxes may go up but that probably would have to happen in a Republican government too, as much as people might like to believe otherwise.

We are in a hole, people, a deep one. For the record I am white, married, straight and a Christian. I have kids and am afforded the luxury of being able to be a stay-at-home mom.

My husband makes a nice living and we pay thousands a year in taxes. My grandfathers, father, uncles and brother all fought proudly in major American wars for the freedoms we are ALL entitled to in this country.

I did not serve in the military, yet I get the same freedoms as those who have. Thank you to all who have, I cannot express my gratitude strongly enough for the protection of my children and their freedoms.

I am not speaking for anyone else, just myself. I’m sure plenty of people will have plenty to say about my point of view and that’s OK. I am eager to see what the future holds for our country.

Kristen Hart, Albany

Wallet returned in Albany ...

I would like to thank the woman who found my wallet in the street in front of my house and brought it to my door. I didn’t know it was missing and was completely stunned by her appearance on my doorstep. I was extremely grateful that she was honest and her integrity and respect for my privacy only allowed her to look inside my wallet for my address. Someone less scrupulous could have taken my driver’s license, credit cards and other ID and made my life miserable with identity theft.

Thank you again. I am sorry I was too caught off guard to ask your name, but you have my sincerest appreciation and thanks!

Monica Grissom, Albany

... and in Tangent as well

I want to thank and bless the lady who found my wallet and brought it to my house. If the whole world was like her, we would have heaven on Earth.

Edna Chopard, Tangent

No more attacks? Check again

In his Nov. 10 letter, “Let him be as successful,” Larry A. Smith claims that there “have been no terrorist attacks from 9/11/2001 to the present,” and that we should measure an Obama presidency by this same standard. Without commenting on the quality of the standard, does Mr. Smith not remember the anthrax attacks that occurred starting in late September 2001 and extended into November of that year? The same attacks that killed five people and infected 17 more and that have yet to be conclusively solved?

For that matter, a quick Internet search results in at least a dozen more incidences of terrorism in the United States between September 2001 and the present, ranging from firebombings to computer espionage to shooting sprees.

Why do none of the other attacks seem to get any public recognition as terrorism? The only thing that seems to link the other attacks is that the vast majority have been perpetrated by Americans. What this suggests to me is that many of us think it’s only terrorism when someone from somewhere else does it — and they are usually not white, to boot. Needless to say, this is not a good thing. Maybe we should take a look at what’s happening inside our borders rather than be so quick to point fingers.

Dennis Dugan, Corvallis

Medical bills: Always errors

Man, am I tired of doing the job of those who work in our health care field! They either need to be trained better on medical billing or our doctors need to communicate better with those who process the bills.

They constantly get my bill wrong. I dedicate a time once a month to call my medical facility and have the errors corrected on my bill. The latest, the facility says I have reached my $5 million cap for the year and now I must pay out of my pocket. The insurance company says that the diagnosis and billing code don’t match. The facility says that “I” must call my insurance and have them call the facility to have their mistake fixed.

If I were some elderly citizen passing my checkbook to my caregiver to pay my bills, they would be taking my money unnecessarily.

Just imagine the cost and impact of time and money wasted by our health care system when doing the same job two times. Plus having to take the time to investigate to find the errors. Not to mention having to put up with patients like me. I am quite irritated with robotic customer service representatives and automated systems.

I can sure tell you why our health care costs are so high and our insurance premiums are almost out of reach for the average citizen.

So, I caution those who have insurance, please, please make sure you are being charged only for procedures and services that you are receiving.

Melanie Running, Albany