Opinion
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- Written by: Jerry Ketchum
I heard that the state will not be able to pay beginning Feb. 1. As you know, a lot of people depend on these programs to get them by. If these programs are cut we will see an increase in homeless families and crime throughout the state.
I would like to get the people of Lake County and the State together on Wednesday, Jan 21, and contact our lawmakers by calling, emailing and faxing them. Letting them know that we want the budget passed now.
We voted them in and we can vote them out.
Jerry Ketchum lives in Clearlake.
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- Written by: PatriciaAn Raymundo-Schmidt
The 17th , “the philosophical definition” appealed to me which states: “The power to exercise choice and make decisions without constraint from within or without; autonomy, self-determination.”
My Filipino ancestors’ innocence was violated hundreds of years ago. Their welcoming, open arms and hands were restrained by brutal invaders and conquerors; forced into religions and new cultures of either Catholicism or Islam or be slaughtered … killed is a tame word.
My mother’s Filipino parents came to California in the 1920s. They worked hard in a new land surviving prejudice, and to be fair, as most people have in the 1920s to the present.
My paternal grandfather was an American Soldier fighting in the Spanish American War in the Philippines. There he met my Filipino grandmother. During WWII in the Philippines, my father and uncles were privileged enough to look Filipino, and did not have to hide from the Japanese. However, my aunts looked American and hid in the mountains, covering their heads to hide their light brown hair, to avoid being killed by the Japanese.
Today, my strength is quickened by the realization that my freedom MUST arise from deep within; my DNA if you wish AND the Spirit of God. I pray each day to see the soul and spirit of people with whom I interact.
My freedom, your freedom, if you choose, MUST be defined by the Spirit loving my enemies, doing good to those who hate me, bless those who curse me and pray for those who mistreat me ... Luke 6:27-18.
PatriciaAn Raymundo-Schmidt lives in Lakeport.
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- Written by: Chris Nowak
When one considers the MILLIONS of dollar flowing from international corporations and foreign governments into the Clinton bank accounts, I cannot imagine a more ethically unqualified person.
When one considers her feigned gullibility during the Lewinsky sex scandal and her continuous tacit approval of her husband's documented sexual perversions as well as her outright lies about being shot at in Bosnia, I cannot think of a more morally unqualified person.
When one considers her lack of administrative experience and that her only accomplishments come on the coattails of her husband's name, I cannot think of a more professionally unqualified person.
In short, Hillary Clinton's lack of experience and ability is only matched by her lack of integrity and good judgment. As a nation we will pay an enormously high price for her time as secretary of state.
Chris Nowak lives in Kelseyville.
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- Details
- Written by: Donna Christopher
Not too long ago I submitted an article regarding the veterans means testing that kept many veterans such as myself from being eligible for health care through the Veterans Administration (VA).
The denials came in the form of not meeting the geographic means test (GMT). In my case, if I lived closer to San Francisco I would have been eligible. Because I live in Lake County I was not.
I am still hearing from fellow veterans about their denials of care because of the GMT. One had in 26.5 years of service, 2 and a half years active and 24 years in the reserves, and was denied!
Good news, folks – the Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Jan. 12 that come this July they will reopen enrollment to those of us known as Priority 8 enrollees. So tie the knot and hang on!
“We're pleased to be able to offer what has been called 'the best care anywhere' to many more new veterans,” said current Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “We'll be able to provide these newly enrolled veterans with the kind of timely, high quality health care veterans who already use our system are accustomed to.”
Peake went on to explain that the VA's computer systems are being upgraded to accommodate these upcoming changes and that they are working very hard to make sure that Congress, veterans service organizations and the general public are aware of these upcoming changes.
Anyone who has attempted to navigate the current VA Web site finds this to be very good news.
Peake went on to say, “The rule will take effect by June 30, 2009, if the regulatory process proceeds smoothly. We look forward to welcoming these newly eligible veterans into the VA system. VA will continue to monitor wait times to ensure the quality of care is not adversely affected.”
Enrollment priorities in the VA were established by Congress in 1996 requiring the VA to annually determine and assess veterans demands for service, determine if the necessary resources were available and that quality, timely care was available to all enrollees.
During the Bush administration it was determined that the VA was not able to provide Category 8 enrollees with timely access to health care so the solution was to deny these enrollees care.
In Lake County the local Veterans Service office is located in Lakeport at the Old Courthouse Square. The phone number is 263-2384.
Donna Christopher lives in Lucerne. She is a veteran, as was her late father, and her sons currently are serving in the military.
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