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Emails for December 2004

Unnecessary war in Iraq

I have reread Dave's editorial several times and Lynn Tweedt-Rabinowe's letter and I am surprised at such a harsh response. I can not imagine anyone not respecting the men who have been sent to Iraq, especially Dave who has done so much work to install that wonderful pavilion in Minonk. It is very difficult for me to find believable justification for invading Iraq, but we did! It isn't the first time we have imposed our will on others without understanding who the people were, their beliefs, their religion, their mores. Iraq is the cradle of our biblical history where many, many other invaders have passed through this dusty, hot, Arabic speaking, desert country whose various clans and peoples do not accept Christianity, dislike English speaking people, and have had their whole lives interrupted . But then we understood this when we re-invaded Iraq for the second time. Oh yah!!!! President Bush has little chance of "winning" over the locals as we did in: No. Korea, North Vietnam, and Mogadishu???????????????? Oh yes-yes. From the Civil War, through WW I, WW II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm, my family have done their duty. I don't want to see my grandchildren leaving life, limbs or blood fighting an unnecessary war.

A.A. Johnson
San Clemente, CA

We are not arrogant in Iraq

Arrogance?
What makes you think that we're being "arrogant" in Iraq?
Not liked?
What makes you think we're "not liked" in Iraq?

I know we're not liked in the American press and amongst the blame-America-first crowd.
But, arrogant? Not liked?
I don't think so.

I'm proud of our efforts in the important war in Iraq ...
That fact that I think it is IMPORTANT means that I have respect for the Iraqi people.
As does Mr. Rumsfeld, as does Mr. Bush ... as does the British Prime Minister and many other world leaders and forward thinking people.

Do I respect their differences? Of course, I do.
Americans are not dumb ... we may be naive about some other cultures, but we're not dumb.
And, we have respect for other people. That, dear heart, is why we're there fighting to bring them choice in leadership, control in their own lives, freedom that they been denied for decades.

It makes MY Christmas better to know our troops are working and fighting hard to make that happen .... there is no "pall" cast over my Christmas ... only gratitude the someone has the guts to stand up and say what's
right. It makes me happy to be an American and ever-so-proud of my
countrymen in uniform.

Lynn Tweedt-Rabinowe
Deer Island, Oregon

Editor's reply: I did not say that all American's and that our soldiers are arrogant. I am saying that the arrogance of our leaders is what led to many of the problems we are having.

Thanks to the Booster Club for sign

Dear Dave:

Hopefully, everyone has either noticed the new sign at the Fieldcrest High School or read about it in the Woodford County Journal. I just wanted to take a few minutes to thank the Fieldcrest Booster Club for their hard work in earning the money to donate the sign to the school district. It is beautiful. They did a great job on the design and placement. It is a testament to the generosity of all the people in our school district and the organizational skills of the people involved with the Booster club. Thanks to all the people involved. We appreciate the work you do.

Garilyn Wells

Do not panic over do-not-call

Hi Dave

I was doing some research on Telemarketing to cellphones Jan 1 after seeing several references yesterday during my web travels and just noticed the email from Joe this morning.

According to an article in News Day and several others that I found, that email is misinforming the public. It's another one of those Email Hoax's that has been going around.

Effective Jan 1, cellphone numbers will be in the 411 database, so the numbers can be looked up like land lines. According to the FCC, it will still be illegal for telemarketers to call cellphones.

I hope this clears up any confusion.

Sherry Willis

Editor's note: Sherry, thanks for the info and a reminder that the internet is still rife with misinformation.

Public service announcement

Starting January 1, 2005, all cell phone numbers will be made public to telemarketing firms. So as of January 1, your cell phone may start ringing off the hook with telemarketers, but unlike your home phone most of you pay for your incoming calls. These telemarketers will eat up your free minutes and end up costing you money in the long run.

According to the �National Do No Call List,� you have until December 15, 2004 to get on the �Do Not Call List� for cell hones. Call 1-888-382-1222 from the cell phone that you wish to have put on the �Do Not Call List.� You can also go online at https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx. Registering only takes a minute and it is in effect for 5 years.

Joe Limbaugh

Enjoys Parade of Lights photos

Dave,

Thanks for posting the annual parade of lights pictures on the site. It really is a pleasure to see this each year.

We, who no longer live in Minonk, can always come home through Minonk Talk each year to see this special Christmas event.

Here�s wishing you and all the folks in Minonk a most blessed Christmas and a very, very, Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays,

Art Kettelhut

Comments on air travel

Hello Dave,

I agree with your editorial as it relates to flying. I too, have begun to skip commuter flights, and fly directly from Chicago. However I use Midway. The newly completed expansion has really helped their growth issues. In addition, the $8.00 per day Blue Lot can�t be beat. As far as remote meetings, SBC has a great solution called ConferenceNOW. Phone numbers are assigned with a password to subscribers for each meeting. When moderating a meeting, you can use a PowerPoint presentation that all PC users can see at the same time as the meeting is being conducted via conference call. I have been using this service for about a year, and it�s eliminated the need for several face-to-face meetings. You can learn more from their website: www.1800conference.com.

Happy Holidays.

N. Joe Limbaugh, Jr.

An ode to 2005

2004 wasn�t so bad,
Minonk had many things for which not to be sad.

Count your blessings for 2005,
For you have reasons to stay alive.

Good people and friends abound,
All you have to do is look around.

Minonk is nestled in the heart of the land,
Which is a good place to be, so strike up the band.

If you watch carefully and be aware,
Minonk will prosper, if you take care.

Don�t let little things get you down,
For Minonk is a wonderful town.

There are happy times coming to exploit,
Just be thankful you don�t live in Detroit.

Happy 2005, Minonk!

Art Kettelhut

A soldier's analysis of the war in Iraq

In response to your editorial, I thought it was very well written and had some very good points. I do believe that we underestimated what the response in Iraq would be. As a military member and someone who has been to that part of the world twice in the last three years and also have many friends currently serving in the middle-east, I would like to offer my perspective on what is happening.

The people of Iraq are intelligent good people. However, because of how they have been governed for the past 40 years, they don't know how to remain loyal. Basically, whoever has the most power on any given day is who they will support, and it can change back and forth. They don't know how to remain steadfast because of how they have constantly had to change their loyalties in order to survive. The only way to help them realize that they can remain loyal to the American troops and stay alive is to show them how to keep pushing forward in one direction in order to gain a true democracy for themselves. This is what we are trying to do today. It's painful and tragic whenever we have casualties. However, we need to remain strong. It bothers me whenever I see a family member of someone killed (or injured) go on TV and blame the president and government PERSONALLY for what has happened. All this does is show the insurgents that we are not united on this. In other words, there is a weak link. The insurgents then focus on the weak link and continue to try and break it. In my opinion, these family members are dishonoring there loved ones who voluntarily served. I can't imagine their pain and mean no disrespect to them. All I'm saying is you cannot support the troops and then not support their mission. You have to support both...or basically you don't support them at all. The Iraqi people can't understand what a democracy truly means because they have never had one. This is where I believe we have failed. We can't expect them to embrace this when they don't understand it. We should continue to show them...but leave the choice up to them. The elections in January are a big step in this process. We can only hope that this is the first of many steps to help them.

I disagree with you on one main point. That we do not respect there religion. On the contrary, we have respected it beyond what we should have. The 'Laws of Armed Conflict' state that a religious structure (a mosque) is not a legal target. However, if that building is being used to launch attacks, then it is a legal target. We have been reluctant to respond to attacks from these buildings in order to show them we do respect them and to prevent any uprisings that may come about from this. This also means that we have taken casualties that may have been prevented if we would have responded. This is also the case with other buildings, i.e., hospitals, schools, etc... When we are being fired on from these buildings, then it's a legal target that we have to respond to. Unfortunately, there are many times when civilians are in these buildings. But the fact of the matter is the enemy has placed them in harms way by using these facilitates...not the United States. The insurgents know this and have now accepted this as their main offensive tactic because they know we will be slow to respond. It is not the United States disrespecting Islam...it is the radical Islamic believers disrespecting their own religion.

"I won't dwell on the things we did wrong, because most of it has already been reported in the news media." While I do agree that we have done some things wrong; the news media has also done MANY things wrong. They don't report ANY of the good things that go on every day. Soldiers building schools, handing out food, playing with the local children, etc... The reason? It's not sensational enough. They also provide the insurgents with more "ammunition" whenever they report some of the terrible and sickening things that a very small group of American troops have done. I am in no way supporting this small majority and believe they should be punished to the maximum extent. Why does it have to be shown so publicly though? The media can turn the evidence over to the government and then let it go forward. Many of the civilians that were captured and killed in horrible ways justify the killings because of items in the media. How many of these innocent people might still be alive had the media not gone public with these reports. I'm not saying censorship so much as common sense to help keep the insurgency down.

Just a perspective from a service member...

Merry Christmas!!!!!

TSgt Joe Uphoff
Arlington, VA

Editor's reply: I agree that the news media is distorting the news from Iraq. Thanks for giving us armchair analysts a better perspective of what is really happening in Iraq.

Questions cost of activity fees

Ever since my grandson told me they were having a dance at school, I've been trying to decide what direction to go. I am one of the few (or many, depending on who I talk to) who has not paid the activity fee to the Fieldcrest Citizens Advisory Committee. I imagine I will pay it for him, against my better judgement.

I have a hard time understanding a few dances and a field trip costing $125.00. Has the PTO bowed out of helping finance the field trips? That is a possibility, since I'm not involved in any school organization, which is my choice. Since it is my choice, I can only question the form letters I received from the committee. If this money is being used for field trip transportation, yearbook sponsors, Student Counsel sponsors, stipends (check the definition of this) paid music teachers for music concerts, among other programs, why are the kids still doing fundraisers? I'm certainly missing something here. I guess I should add in all fairness that after this fee is paid, the student gets a pass to attend all home athletic events.

I have a bad feeling paying this, and I don't like being forced into this situation. I think it's wrong, but to save my grandson from embarrassment, I will pay. No child likes to be different or denied access to activities that are offered to all. Luckily, the money is not a problem for me, but I feel sorry for the families who have to cut back or make payments just so their children can belong. What a world we live in!

I' hoping this letter will inspire some feedback from other parents - pros and cons. Maybe it will help me understand. I know I'm from a different generation - and maybe that's the problem. Maybe it would also help if the committee would publish the amount collected so far and what it has been used for.

After reading the Pantagraph on December 18th regarding the last school board meeting, I have a few more concerns. The school board voted to possibly take action in January on the "reorganizing the district" issue. Citizens of Minonk need to voice their concerns now. Do we want to be left with no elementary school? I would also like to know what land they are trying to purchase and why, when we have no funds.

-Linda Azbill

The cookie recipe saga continues

Dear Dave, I have had the Neiman Marcus cookie recipe for around 3 years, and have made it several times. And, if you will check the recipe on their web-site, it is not the same as the one you printed out a couple days ago. There are 2 very different ingredients in the one you printed out. So, I think that there is more truth than fiction to the story, and they're trying to cover it up with a very ordinary choc. chip recipe.

Emily Zivney

Cookie story crumbles

The story about the Neiman Marcus cookie recipe is another well known urban legend. They even address it on their own web site:

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/service/nmAbout.jhtml#cookie

That doesn't mean, of course, that the cookies aren't good!

Rob also added this:

The email circulating currently about cell phones and telemarketers is the subject of several postings on hoax warning sites. Evidently there IS a cell phone directory in the works, but telemarketers are already prohibited by FCC regulation from calling cellphones using an automatic dialer.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_cell_phone_directory.htm

Rob Sanders

....and crumbles

Dave, Saw the cookie recipe and read the accompanying story...I've heard it for years, so I went to the urban legends website that I always use to investigate this kind of thing. Here's the link to the story, and a link to the sight...it's gospel to me!

http://www.snopes.com/business/consumer/cookie.asp

http://www.snopes.com/

Rick Halberg - Advertising Coordinator

Editor's note: Thanks to Rob and Rick. I suspected the cookie story was a hoax and that is why I put a disclaimer on its authenticity before the article. However, at least we now have another recipe plus another reminder that it is buyer beware when looking at all of those emails floating around cyberspace.