Discovering a theft

To the thief: You broke into both my cars. Not only did you steal the face of my stereo but you left my door open and ran down my battery, as if the theft wasn’t enough. You went through my glove compartment and stole a couple CDs from my Mazda. Next you got in my Chevy and stole the junk little shower radio that I bought from Walmart. That was all I could afford so that I would have some music to listen to on my way to work. I didn’t discover your horrid act until Christmas Eve when I needed to get some milk from the store. I had been driving my old tired Chevy but it lost the heater core on Thursday the 18th, so I went to drive the Mazda and it was then that I saw what you had done. Shame, shame on you!

Daylene Davis, Halsey

An ailing veteran’s plight

My husband of 50 years, a World War II Purple Heart disabled veteran, suffered a massive heart attack on July 18, 2008. Because of the emergency he was transported to the local hospital instead of the VA Hospital in Portland, where his medical needs had been met for many years. Several days later he was admitted to a local nursing home at the cost of $7,000 a month.

Pleas for help were made to the V.A., Congressman Peter DeFazio and the Disabled American Veterans. Only the DAV responded, but we were able to get an appointment for him at the VA Clinic.

At the clinic the doctor refused to check the patient. He explained the VA was no longer responsible for the veteran’s medical needs (in spite of his 60 percent disability) because he is in a nursing home. Furthermore, his medicines would no longer be sent to him.

My husband, totally paralyzed on his left side, moaned in pain after the long ride and wait. Family members pleaded with the doctor to ease his pain, but the doctor remained adamant in refusing. He did finally relent and ordered a gurney.

Since the appointment the nursing home costs have risen to $8,000 a month because of the cost of meds. Our savings are wiped out, and our home for 53 years is up for sale.

I am not writing this letter to reproach the VA. That agency has served my husband’s needs for many years. I am writing to warn all those World War II veterans who believe the VA will take care of them for the rest of their lives.

Learn exactly what your benefits are; don’t assume, or you will lose everything as we are now experiencing because this veteran had such faith in the VA.

Dorothy L. Flora, Lebanon

Unhappy over headline

I wrote a letter and asked to have it in the “Appreciation” column on Saturday. The letter appeared and I appreciate that, but I am very disappointed that they heading was not what I had indicated, which was Christmas Miracle. Instead it was “In the pursuit of stable housing.”

Yes, that is what Randy and Barb needed, but how it happened was a miracle and it happened at Christmas time! I wish to thank God and all the people who stepped up in a time of drastic need and made it happen.

I hope the reason the heading was changed was not because many do not want to say Christmas anymore because it includes the name of Christ. However it is titled I guess is irrelevant, but it was a miracle!

Darlene Johnson, Lebanon

Response to terrorism

Terrorism is a learning experience. It came into clear focus during the final days of WWII with the Japanese Kamikaze suicide bombers. The Taliban and al Qaida learned well and so did Hamas. They also discovered how to use the innocent population they hide amongst as a great source of propaganda advantage when Israel, their declared enemy, responding to this threat, inadvertently killed some of the innocent civilians located where they hid.

Call it what you like, but firing explosive rockets indiscriminately into your neighbor’s land is terrorism. Strange how there was little or no outcry from the European and Muslim countries when this began to happen to Israel a few years ago. But as soon as Israel, finally losing patience when an Israel citizen was killed, responded, after warning the Hamas that action will be taken; many of the countries, especially the Muslim countries, screamed genocide!

I believe it is important to remember that the Muslim countries sided with Hitler during WWII. Based on the spoils of war, the Jews were given the land of Palestine as a reward for their support and trauma to their people. The surrounding Arabic countries tried to oust the Jews but instead were driven off.

In this current world we live in, where many nations possess atomic weapons, it is essential that we learn to live together in peace; the alternative is Armageddon.

Allan Jay Silver, Albany

The Pickens proposal

In the coming weeks the 111th U.S. Congress and the new administration take office and begin work on a variety of bills to reinvigorate our economy, determine a new course in foreign policy, chart new directions in national defense and rebuild our infrastructure.

The Pickens Plan is the only energy plan that proposes U.S. energy independence within 10 years, and is the only plan ready for congressional hearings within the administration’s first 100 days. This is a grass roots effort to develop a tangible national energy policy that actually frees America from overseas energy.

American citizens are joining with each other and T. Boone Pickens to demand that once and for all, that we as a country become energy self-sufficient. We recognize this will require a combination of technologies and a number of years to achieve, but we believe it is critical that we start now.

If you agree that energy independence is vital to our freedom as a country and to maintaining our individual freedoms, please accept my invitation to join the Pickens Plan at www.pickensplan.com, and then join the Oregon 5th Congressional District Group at http://push.pickensplan.com/group/DistrictGroupOR05.

Larry Sigurdson, Salem

Larry Sigurdson is the Pickens Plan Oregon 5th Congressional District group leader and can be reached at: LarrySigur424@push.pickensplan.com, or (503) 559-9840.