June 11, 2009 11:58 pm
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• Connecting the dots
I read with interest your recent coverage of domestic violence. It is refreshing to see the media present such an enlightened and accurate picture of what domestic violence really is. Seldom do papers “connect the dots” between the murders of family members and the preceding months and years of less deadly but equally devastating domestic violence.
Educating your readers about the warning signs of domestic violence and the presence of resources in your community to help victims, family, and friends in whatever way they feel is most beneficial can be just the information that saves lives in the future. Thank you.
Karen Geiger, Atlanta
Statewide Coordinator,
Family Violence Project of Georgia Legal Services Program
• Get the help you need
I knew when I watched the movie ‘Stop Loss’ there was a reason it disturbed me so much. In Ft. Cambell Ky., suicide rates among the Army is rising, so much so as to prompt the base to shut down for three days to evaluate. Now, it is hitting home with one of our own, John Wesley Ganues.
If your mate is not acting right or is out of control, make a phone call. I can understand that you don’t want to call anyone in the military and why, but if you are thinking that way, there must be something worth saving in your life or your loved ones life. Trust me, if you sat with me and I told you my life story, you would wonder why I'm here. Everything happens in your life for a reason-good or bad, and usually, eventually, it will come out to be for your own good. Life goes sideways to teach you or someone else in your life a lesson. When the lesson is learned, things will get better.
But back to our troops. You don’t have to go to your commander (although that would be a good place to start). You can call the Haven (229-244-1765). There’s 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE). The Department of Veterans Affairs has a number 1-800-273-TALK (8255) press No. 1 or you can go to the Web site www.northflorida.va.gov. The most important thing to know is that if you feel that way or you feel someone is feeling that way — talk to someone, a preacher, chaplain, anyone to work it out. God did not create any junk and no matter what happens to you, you are here for a reason.
Cindy Obester
Lakeland
• Internet myths?
The retired general in Sunday’s letters puts forth the idea that Hamas will benefit from the money being allocated to “U.S. Governmental Organizations” for “unexpected needs by refugees in the Gaza strip”.
The general states: “Few on Capitol Hill took note that the order provides a free ticket replete with housing and food allowances to individuals who have displayed their overwhelming support of the Islamic Resistance movement (Hamas) in the parliamentary election of January 2006.” Nothing like this is stated in the Presidential Order published in Federal Register. The truth is, until we actually go and find the truth ourselves, nothing told to us is absolutely true, anyone can tell you anything, but you cannot make something true that isn’t.
The writers of such letters and articles that perpetuate the Internet myth, are taking advantage of our patriotism and belief that we are a powerful and strong nation. We want to believe the words of a general because he has a title deserving respect. But he tells you himself, he did not research what he wrote, someone “told him” based on an e-mail from an unidentified, unofficial source.
Do we want to be a nation of people who blindly follow and trust everything we hear just because it follows along with what we want to believe? Personally, I’d rather have the facts and the truth.
The “official” sources of information from the Federal Government are the following Web sites, the address for the Federal register: www.access.gpo.gov/index.html. Bills in the Senate or the House: http://thomas.loc.gov/. The Web site advertised by the general is not a primary “official” source for government information. It is a subscription service provided by a private company, not affiliated with the government.
Patricia Stone
Valdosta
• A burden of debt
Today while in church looking at all the children bouncing around and gazing at me, I was caught up with sadness in my heart for what our generation is doing to the next several generations.
By far not all of us adults are at ease with what our government and leaders are doing. But so many “me first” selfish people are out there praising the theft of our children’s futures. These selfish people are the first to cry if they have to do something and last to give their time to others. Jealousy is one of the seven deadly sins and what we are witnessing right now before our very eyes is a form of jealousy which will eat away at our very hearts and souls.
What people like this, without any vision, can't see is the ramifications of their actions. They are so concerned with themselves instead of others they are signing there own enslavement documents.
Yes, you may have thought slavery was abolished years ago by President Lincoln, yet by another dissimilarity President Obama is reenacting it. We will not have the ability to pay off or maintain the spending spree that has just occurred and what Congress is considering in the near future. If you don’t like the word slavery then for those who’ve studied some history there is another term which held similar status. It was called “indentured servant.”
One big difference between the two classes was the premise that an indentured servant could eventually work off their debt for freedom. Use whichever term works better for you but keep in mind we whom allow this travesty to fall upon our children without doing everything we can to stop it will also be to blame.
Please look for opportunities to voice your opinion and hold our leaders accountable for their actions.
Jeff Korson
Alapaha
• A bold outreach by the president
A lot is being said about President Obama’s speech at Cairo University. The left-leaning media has touted the speech in a leading Arab nation as a bold outreach to “the Muslim World.” It may be a bold outreach from a political perspective, but it was certainly a bold overreach from a factual and historical perspective.
Quoting from the Koran four times, the President said, "Islam has always been a part of America's story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco ... let there be no doubt, Islam is a part of America." Actually, Mr. President, it was Holland. On Nov. 16, 1776, officials at Saint Eustatius in the Dutch West Indies fired "the first salute" to a warship bearing the American flag. The event was the subject of a best-selling history book by Barbara Tuchman, two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
President Obama went on to cite John Adams' words when second president signed the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796. Adams, at the time, said we had "no enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility of Muslims." The only problem was that the Barbary Pirates, then operating out of Tripoli, continued to prey on American shipping. Although he didn't use "micro loans" or new "science and technology" funds, Adams attempted to buy them off and failed. By 1800, nearly one-fifth of the federal budget was consumed in trying to pay off predatory rulers in North Africa. When Thomas Jefferson succeeded Adams in 1801, he dispatched warships and U.S. Marines "to the shores of Tripoli" to fight for American rights. Jefferson was determined not to pay tribute to the Muslim rulers of North Africa and to stop their seizing U.S. merchant ships and selling American seamen into slavery. That effort succeeded.
And yes, Jefferson did own a copy of the Koran as President Obama stated in his speech. But the reason he read it when he was serving as our ambassador in Paris was to see if it could really be true — as Arab diplomats were telling him — that the Koran gave them the right to attack and enslave Americans and all other "infidels." Jefferson concluded from his reading that America must fight — not pay tribute — to protect her citizens.
The President is certainly entitled to his own opinion of America. But, as Ronald Reagan said, he is not entitled to his own facts.
Bill Malone
Valdosta
• Hobby Lobby staff comes to the rescue
I would like to give a huge thanks to the staff of Hobby Lobby this past Saturday when my mother-in-law had a severe asthma attack in the store. They were awesome in getting the ambulance there, helping me with my daughter and helping my mother-in-law as much as possible. What a great Christian store and staff.
Also, thank you to the EMTs who came. The ER doctor said you basically saved her life. God was definitely with you and her during this time. Thank you, she is doing much better now with all of your prayers and help.
Jennifer Rhodes
Valdosta
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