NUCLEAR ENERGYSupport clean solution
With oil prices skyrocketing, we citizens need to support a solution to this dilemma. More dams are not the answer, nor more polluting coal-fired plants with the heavy toll of miners’ lives. We in Idaho should be supporting, wholeheartedly, nuclear energy. Facts about this maligned industry have been distorted with untrue rumors and fear tactics by idle talk and much of the news media. The oil and coal promoters nourish these falsehoods with their ads and stories.It is time for anti-nuclear thinkers and doubtful environmentalists to learn how safe and clean are the nuclear power plants in existence. A book, published in 2007, titled “Power to Save the World, the Truth About Nuclear Energy” by Gwyneth Cravens, contains facts needed to form a true analysis of the value of this available source. This book also answers questions about Yucca Mountain, WIPP and radioactive waste disposal. Please take time to read this well-documented book to form a new opinion on the necessity for nuclear power plants.CATHERINE NELSON, Idaho FallsWhat really made Buffett retreat?
What really made billionaire Warren Buffett retreat in defeat from his plans to build a nuclear power plant in Payette?Do you really believe Warren formed a whole nuclear division, studied 14 sites, picked Payette, hired ex-Sen. McClure and ex-Gov. Andrus as lobbyists, and only then looked at the timetable for making money, and then decided nuclear “made no economic sense?”Our initiative group was the only unwelcoming committee that passed out vital information on safety problems at the Payette town meeting. Downwinders from Gem County and across Idaho roared at their state representatives. When Idaho native Republican County Commissioner Colonel Diana Obenauer, R.N., joined our efforts, Buffett had to realize he was in for a losing fight.But those already deeply invested, like Gillispie’s new big money backers for Bruneau, will keep coming strong. The Idaho National Laboratory has at least one merchant nuclear power plant planned. We absolutely need to set up Idaho’s legal defense adopting law that Oregon uses. Our group will continue to fight for Idaho families while celebrating this victory.We need our legislators to make our initiative law this session. Please help! Our Web site is www.MyIdahoEnergy.com. Please call your legislators toll- free at 1-800-626-0471.DR. PETER RICKARDS, DPM, Twin FallsEXXON Consumers have no choice but to buy
Recently Exxon posted a record “eye-popping” profit of $40.6 billion for 2007. Now, I have a hard time comprehending how much money that really is, unless I break it down into something my small mind can comprehend. So I did some math. If a $1 bill weighs one gram, and 453 grams equals one pound, a normal sized trucking pallet would hold approximately $1 million, or 2,200 pounds of bills. That means it would take 40,600 pallets to hold $40.6 billion.If Exxon decided to drive that money to the bank using a standard semi-trailer it would take (a normal trailer holds 22 pallets) 1,845 semis. (By the way the semis would be overweight for DOT standards.) If each semi trailer and tractor was 65 feet long and Exxon decided to go to the bank in one day, the semis would stretch, touching end to end with no gaps, 22 miles. And they did this without as much as a thank you. This is wrong, because they did it with a product I have no choice but to use, they spent very little of this profit for research and development, and they did it with the blessing and help of our Congress and president, and that is what I call a monopoly.STEVE BERTSCH, MeridianMERCURY Making observational opinion seems obvious
I had to laugh out loud when I saw the image from Mercury on your Main page 15 of the Feb. 1 paper.The caption says that “scientists” don’t know how the crater was formed, when anyone with an open mind can plainly see that it is the site of an electrical discharge. I can only conclude that these poor scientists are not allowed to come to an observational opinion that does not meet with approval.However, there is finally a feature on an electrical planet with a strong magnetic field in an electrical solar system overseen by an electrical star that is so obvious to the layman that “scientists” are going to be unable to explain the feature any other way. Maybe it will lead them to see other craters on other planets in a new light.For more information on the Electrical Universe, see the web site www.thunderbolts.info.LARRY WHITE, BoiseOMBUDSMANWriter put forth incorrect information
No one in the public arena expects to be free from criticism. Pierce Murphy, community ombudsman, is no exception. Such criticism should be based on correct information. Not so with Guy Bourgeau’s attack on Murphy in the matter of Sen. Burkett and his sons.Bourgeau of Local 486 of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, wrote, among other things, that Murphy “… has no practical experience to draw upon … .” He further suggested that the ombudsman operates without accountability and that “he has made mistakes before as he does not have appropriate investigative experience ….”Murphy was a police officer from 1972 to 1979 in Atherton and Menlo Park, Calif. He is responsible and accountable to the mayor and Boise City Council and to the community.Since becoming ombudsman in 1999, he has engaged in ongoing education in apropos areas like 300 hours in the Boise Police Advanced Academy and on subjects encompassing internal affairs, use of force, scientific content analysis, officer-involved shooting investigations, and behavioral assessment screening systems.He is a man of integrity with a wide reputation for his skills and even-handedness. His efforts contribute to the safety of the community and to the integrity of the Police Department.MIKE SILVA, BoiseColumn was accurate
At the time Pierce Murphy was hired, I questioned the expense. Having far less experience than trained police officers, he would have to come up with something to justify his job.As you may recall, soon after he was hired he requested a secretary as he was receiving so many phone calls. Do you know anyone in the private sector who hires a secretary to answer the phone? I happen to be “older than dirt,” and this morning I had several telephone calls. Two friends called, my son, an accountant, all within the space of an hour. You know what? I dealt with that, handled it all by myself.The column in the Feb. 6 Statesman by Guy Bourgeau was right on target. It should make Mike Burkett think about what his sons did. The police chief is right, too.LORRAINE SCHIMMELS, NampaSCHOOL BONDTax dollars benefit other students only
I am an angry parent that voted for the new school bond. I thought a new school was in my children’s best interest. I live only two blocks from Franklin Elementary and the Just For Kids program. I live only 500 yards off Orchard. “The boundary.” My oldest child attends Borah, who provides transportation for my children. The new school, Grace Jordan, will be built right next to Borah and have a JFK facility (child care) built in. However, I am told my kids must go a mile east of my home out of my daughter’s way to an old school with no JFK. I think this is wrong!They close my school to send my children farther away with no resources. No bus and no child care. Get this. No other schools in our area have a JFK program, either,, or have transportation. Sure glad I voted and am going to pay for that new school my children will never benefit from. Thanks! I will be sure to help out with the next great idea! So glad my husband and I could put our tax dollars to use for everyone else’s kids.SHALLAN COLE, BoiseLIBRARY BOOKSBe grateful for choices
I hope the reader who found the content of the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three” objectionable can take a moment to celebrate living in a country where he has the choice to select what to read to his granddaughter. We should all thank our lucky stars that this is still our personal choice rather than some government entity deciding what books are fit to read.Parents have every right to choose what their own children read. Their right to object to the content of books is also protected under the Constitution, but so is the right of any citizen to read the books others may find objectionable.A democracy’s survival depends on the availability of all ideas. Freedom to read is at the heart of a democratic society, and a well-informed, involved citizenry is the foundation of an open democratic system.Children will grow to make up the future citizenry of this country; we can only hope to nurture our children to become independent thinkers rather than followers.AZAM HOULE, BoiseSUPREME COURTWe deserve guarantees
What guarantee is there for us, the people, that the U.S. Supreme Court is not making new laws when it adjudicates issues brought before it?Hamilton stated: “The courts must declare the sense of the law. Should they be disposed to exercising will instead of judgment, the consequences would equally be the substitution of their pleasure to that of the legislative body.”Again, what guarantee is there for us, the people, that they are subjected to constitutional rather than unconstitutional laws? Do we not have the right to know?What is the pleasure of the Statesman, its readers and subscribers?KENNETH R. FREITAS, SalmonACTS OF KINDNESSThanks for helping during scary time
I am the mother of the 6-year-old girl who was hit by a car while sledding on Simplot Hill. We were fortunate that she only received a few bruises as a result of the accident. I would like to thank several people who really came through for me and my family during a very scary time.The young man who called 911. While I was rushing frantically to my daughter, a young man called the police and directed them to the exact spot where I was.The police, paramedics, and Fire Department. To describe them, please go to your thesaurus and look up the word “awesome” and “kind” and apply all the words you find.The lady that stayed with my other two children and friends. She comforted them during a very frightening time and helped pack up sleds and equipment.The driver of the car. Her quick reaction to a child sledding into her path is the main reason I can talk about bruises and not something worse. My two other children. My daughter, son, and their friends proved they can stand tall and help out during a crisis. Way to go, kids! Thank you!KARI LUKAS, BoiseCOVERAGEThanks Statesman for highlight of hero’s life
Thank you for the extensive coverage of the discovery of the death photo of the most famous World War II correspondent, Ernie Pyle. Most newspapers in the country probably ran the picture of Pyle’s death, but the Statesman went further and ran a picture of the memorial service for Pyle, and a touching photo of Pyle standing amidst Marines in their bunks as they sailed to the Okinawa invasion. Also, two articles from Pyle were run. This kind of coverage gives a younger generation the chance to learn who Ernie Pyle was, and why his writing helped shape American opinion about WWII during the war.I especially appreciated the article about the death of Army Capt. Henry Waskow. Soldiers usually fight for each other and their commanding officer. The touching scene Pyle described was repeated thousands of times throughout the war as men said goodbye to their comrades in gentle and heartbreaking ways. As the living memory of the war fades from the world, we need to strive to keep the memory of the sacrifices and lessons of the big one, because they apply more to our day than most people realize. Those who fought the war made great sacrifices in order to free the world from tyranny. That’s an inspiring example none of us should ever allow future generations to forget. Thanks again Statesman.ANDREW MONTZ, NampaDOLLAR VALUEOverspending makes things expensive
Do cars, homes and gasoline seem overpriced to you? They do to me. Know why? Greenspan put his finger on it and for years did his best to try to contain it. It’s the inflation created by government overspending. Trying to police the world on borrowed money is covertly costing us our dollar’s purchasing power.In Europe now, it takes $1.50 in U.S. money to buy what could have been purchased a couple of years ago for under $1. Here at home, it now costs $3 to buy what cost only $1 in the 1980s. If you had saved your old silver coins from pre-1965 you would find that $1 worth of those today would amazingly buy you about $11 worth of goods. An even more startling gauge of our dollar’s lost value is the old pre-1934 $20 gold piece which today will buy $1,000 worth of goods. About 250 of those (originally $5,000) would buy you a $250,000 home today, with no mortgage.You don’t believe it? Check the Internet for “Silver Coin Prices” and “Gold Coin Prices.” Our dollar is suffering and it’s costing every one of us.DON ADAIR, BoiseDEMOCRATSGOP fractured?
So the Democrats think the GOP is fractured and their party has all the answers. Well, if a non-experienced black and the wife of an ex-president who lied through his teeth in public on TV to the entire American public are the best that party can offer, we are in trouble.STAN OGSBURY, Boise
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