• America was great before you were born

The reoccurring theme coming out of the White House is unsettling. If there is anything about this country the president is proud of why can he not bring himself to say it?

I had no problem with the president’s speech being shown in classrooms but what he did not say in it was disturbing. Missing was how great the USA is today and the admonition to further our current greatness. Instead we got: “We need every single one of you to develop your ... intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems” and “make our nation more fair and more free.” This president looks at this nation as an oppressive land full of problems.

Another example was honors day at the end of school last year. Obama’s letter to students was the same way — stating we need leaders like you to “lead America to a brighter day.” Are we in dark days now? There was nothing about our famed heritage or the things that made our country grand. Why can’t he bring himself to say anything noble about our country today when addressing young minds?

And now we have students being taught to sing praise to Barack Hussain Obama that “All must lend a hand to make this country strong again.” Did I miss something? Have we become weak? Or is it that the teachers picked up the theme and are running with it?

Mr. President here’s a history lesson. America was great before you were born and when you took office and will remain celebrated by those that love her great heritage no matter what your insinuations. As Merle Haggard sung “when you’re running down this country Hoss your walking on the fighting side of me.”

Ted Okolichany

Lake Park

• Beyond the pink

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is fast approaching. Sadly though, November, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, often goes unnoticed.

Labeled as “Smokers disease,” often stigmatized and eliciting a blame the victim mentality, lung cancer remains the number one cancer killer in the U.S.— killing more people than breast, colon, kidney, prostate and melanoma combined. There is no early detection screening in place.

Generally asymptomatic, lung cancer is often misdiagnosed and the majority of lung cancer diagnosis will be found in the late stages. Most patients will die within one year. Anyone who has lungs is susceptible to lung cancer and they’re pink, too.

Sixty percent of newly diagnosed cases are non-smokers or people who quit decades ago.