Published: September 22, 2009 01:46 pm      

Letters to the editor, Sept. 20, 2009

Upset

Dear editor,

I am frustrated with the main stream media and their coverage of the current turmoil within our country. I did not appreciate watching the Sunday morning news shows only to be told the people should be more civil. We should quietly listen to our president and be more like children — seen, but not heard.

The American people feel betrayed and this needs to be acknowledged by those they elected to represent them. May I remind the president, and the Congress — you were elected to work for us, the people of the United States. We are not your children to be spoon fed what you feel we need. You are there to listen to us and do what we ask you to do. The people are speaking to you and you need to listen and acknowledge their concerns whether you believe they are in the majority or not.

The media needs to reclaim their role of non-biased reporting of the facts. When was the last time 100,000 people marched on Washington? Why does that receive barely a mention on the evening news? When was the last time 20,000 people gathered in the rain in downtown Fort Worth, attempting to attract the attention of the elected representatives? Why does that receive barely a mention on the evening news?

In the past, the media could bring light to the plight and concerns of the people of this country, they were the champions of the people. Now it seems they are working to keep us quiet and are purposely ignoring our outcry for attention. Come back to non-biased coverage of the facts or we will not watch your programs or buy the products your sponsors advertise.

Laura Anderson,

Weatherford



President’s speech

Dear editor,

I was at the march on Sept. 12, in Fort Worth. These people weren’t chanting racial slurs. There aren’t any slurs on the signs. There aren’t just white people at these rallies, either.

The movement kept growing despite these accusations as shown in the massive rally in Washington and more than 2,000 other rallies across the country. We are resolute in fighting government corruption and cleaning house. You can join us, but you don’t have to. You can keep sitting on the sidelines throwing racist accusations, but it doesn’t phase the movement.

The speech that President Obama gave last week to the kids was 100 percent politics. I can understand and I would accept it if he scheduled it at a time where the parents could be with their kids to understand what was going on, but to speak to the kids uninvited in a time that their parents, mostly, could not be with their kids during the speech is not acceptable, by any president.

And I know, a few will say George H. Bush did. And George H. Bush was greeted by an investigation by Congress right after it, too. His staff was investigated because it cost $27,000 to do it. I was a senior in high school when that one occurred, and I didn’t watch it. Our middle school didn’t show it. And it’s rural America where I grew up. Conservative and mostly Republican at the time. It’s principle. Do not do it uninvited and only with parental consent.

With that said, if you have to have the president tell your kids to stay in school, what are you doing for your kids? Did you need the president to tell your kids to stay in school? I hope not.

Micky Baker,

Weatherford



Peanut’s situation

Dear editor,

In high school I had a friend we called Peanut. Peanut went to work for Halliburton and was there until he was 64 years old. He was told he could retire or be laid off, and if he wanted to keep his medical insurance it would cost him $800 per month — a large part of his pension.

Peanut thought he could make it until he could get on Medicare. Unfortunately, five months short of his 65th birthday, Peanut developed heart problems and at that point, couldn’t even get medical insurance. So he died.

The recession is easing up this year, but millions of Americans are still in Peanut’s situation. They can’t afford medical insurance and aren’t eligible for the government assisted options. Meanwhile, the drug, medical and insurance corporations and their CEOs make obscene profits.

But you are opposed to a universal healthcare system because you “Want To Take Back Our Country.” I don’t know what that means and you haven’t been able to explain it to me. Who’s going to pay for it you say. Well we are. Not so much you and me. Most will come from reduced cost and some from taxes on those profits. If you have insurance now you probably won’t even notice the change. Same insurance, same doctor.

You say this is a Christian country and I say Christians should want to help those less fortunate. You say Jesus wouldn’t have given money to the government, but would have helped them himself. How much have you given to help?

This country does not have the best healthcare system, only the most expensive. If Peanut had lived in Canada or almost any European country he might be alive today.

Sometimes we need laws to make people do the right thing.

Darrel Behrens,

Aledo



Lost Patriotism

Dear editor,

Friday night football has always been one of my favorite things about Weatherford. [Friday, Sept. 11] was really exciting with the kick off of the new season in a new stadium and a rivalry game to top it off.

Hundreds of students packed the stands to see who would take the win and earn the bragging rights for the next year. They seemed to take a lot of pride in their team, their town and their school.

When the Color Guard took the field and our National Anthem was played, my heart beat with pride and thankfulness. I was taught as a child the importance of our nation’s flag and the price that was paid for us to enjoy the liberties we have today.

When several students in the section next to me did not seem to care that our flag was being flown and our anthem being played, I became infuriated and heart broken at the same time. Infuriated because the lack of respect for the men and women who paid the ultimate price for us to enjoy the freedom of this great country. Heart broken because no one is teaching our young people the importance of patriotism and a love for our country.

Is this the beginning of the end of the Patriotic American? I know the flag is just a piece of cloth with stars and stripes to some with little to no meaning, but to me, it’s the symbol of hope and freedom fought for by unselfish patriots who were willing to die to keep this nation free. To me it’s a slap in the face of those brave souls who cared so much about our country to have these young people care so little.

If we don’t teach our young people the importance of patriotism who will teach the generations to come?

Jeff Knowles,

Weatherford



It’s racism

Dear editor,

Two nights ago we witnessed an event that defined the debate about health care reform in a poignant and vivid divide.

On the one side, President Obama articulately described the need for reform. While in the audience, the South Carolina Congressman, Joe Wilson, yelled “You lie!” as the president defended his health care plan against false right-wing attacks.

I ask you this: Would Joe Wilson have yelled “You lie!” to a white president? The health care reform debate has taken on symbolic significance. The vitriolic outrage expressed by the opponents to health care reform represents an expression of their outrage not about issues, but about having a black president.

There are plenty of issues to debate regarding health care reform, but the real issues do not infuriate opponents and make then yell and forsake civility. Racism does.

John B. Pryor,

Weatherford



What happened?

Dear editor,

I have a couple of questions for the citizens of Weatherford. Where did respect for others and friendliness go? Does anyone live by the Golden Rule in Weatherford? If so, why are there so few who do this?

My daughter and her teenaged daughter recently moved from another state to live with me while we are awaiting the arrival of another daughter’s son who is due to arrive in early November. I was appalled at the treatment my family received when it came time to enroll my granddaughter into the ninth grade here in Weatherford.

The office staff was downright rude to my daughter and then the students treated my granddaughter as if she had the plague or something. Even though I raised the first half of my family in the Fort Worth area years ago, I did teach my children, with help from my mother, to be kind to strangers, help those you can help and pray for those you can’t and need it, and to live by the Golden Rule as the Bible says to do.

Well, it seems that today’s society has no respect for other people, and it’s a dog-eat-dog world out there, so you take care of No. 1 and no one else. My daughter was even told in today’s society, even the public library is no longer a sacred refuge for quiet and peace.

Where did respect for other people’s privacy along with their peace and quiet go? Who made it fly out the window in today’s society? Who gave permission for everyone to talk at the top of their lungs at the public library? Who gave permission for adults to treat other adults like their existence is not important?

Please, someone tell me what happened!!!!!

May God bless you!

Carlene Valentine,

Weatherford