Letters to the editor, Feb. 26, 2007

Friday, February 23, 2007 4:34 PM CST

District should pay

The prospective suit against the Unified District first led me to think it just another money grabbing situation.

However, inquiries have indicated that the attorney involved is not an ambulance chaser even if his speciality seems to be suits for accidents and other incidents of similar nature. These are noted in his ads in the Yellow Pages and newspaper. From the personal contacts I just made with lawyers I know, his reputation is one that is praiseworthy.

The sexual assault of a six-year old boy in the intended safety of a school building was reprehensible. Who can say what consequences the boy will experience in the life that faces him? I am glad the parents have a respected lawyer to represent them and their son.

Even though the Red Apple School and the school district probably never thought that such a crime in the school would ever be committed, it has and they must pay for it.

The lawyer in the case is surely not going to get rich from the probable financial awards. Further, it is doubtful that if there is a suit against Dyess it will ever bring in a penny. If the accused is found guilty, his support costs, as it is with other prisoners, will be in the tens of thousands each year of his confinement.

Let us not forget there are two victims in this case: there is the tragic occurrence for the six-year old boy, and there is Joshua Dyess. In the latter instance, Dyess is charged with the assault of the child and may have to pay the price, yet the accused may have been failed by his family, by society, by his teachers, the church, and his neighbors. We may have just begun to realize our failures.

Kenneth M. Wagner

908 Lombard Ave., Racine

Words of inspiration

Inspired by Buddy Tamel's latest letter I offer the following. Life is simple for Buddy and the millions of others like him. They know the "truth". The truth is what they want it to be.

Evidence? Don't bother me with facts, my mind is made up. The "true believer" will grasp at any straw to support his/her un-examined position.

There is no doubt that Einstein made such a remark as "god does not play dice". But what did he mean by this statement? That has been a matter of contention among his fellow scientist and the general public.

Buddy, of course, seizes upon the fact that Einstein used the word god as evidence that Einstein believed in the god of the Christian religion.

Werner von Braun. A brilliant technician. I do not know whether or not he would be regarded as a scientist. Perhaps so. Notice that he did not declare a belief in creationism. He merely stated that "it would be an error to overlook the possibility, etc."

Professor Louis Bounoure. A legitimate scientist, but not highly regarded in his field.

But now, the fun part." Dr." Kent Hovind. Doctor of what? His degree is from Patriot University. A diploma mill housed in a residential building. No known staff, no known student body. And he just went to prison for tax fraud.

The United States is on a downhill slide to third worldism and the skids are greased by the ignorance and superstition of people like Buddy.

David L. Nelson

3944 Chicory Rd., Racine

Cancer vaccine doubts

The cervical cancer vaccine has been approved by the FDA. If you go on the internet you can find some of the facts out about it.

It protects against four strains of the human papiloma virus. Two of the strains HPV-6 and HPV-11 count for 90 percent of genital warts. HPV-16 and HPV-18 account for 70 percent of cervical cancers. This is a great breakthrough! It is approved to prevent so much.

One would speculate that we are supposed to hurry on out and get our 11 and 12 year olds (girls) vaccinated immediately! Actually as young as nine.

I am not a doctor, but I am a mom and a grandmother, also a childcare provider.

I love researching and asking questions. Think back to the 1950s when thalidomide, the drug for morning sickness came out and babies were sometimes born with shorter arms or legs. (actually resembling flippers). A drug taken by ladies to make them bear the early stages of pregnancy easier!

Now the shot for cervical cancer.

My take on this is there are 100 strains of the virus. Here with this shot we are taking care of only four? Two of which are for genital warts and not cancer? The other two only take care of 70 percent? When we get our children vaccinated what, if any, are the side effects going to be down the road? I hope they can all have normal children, do we know that, no, not for sure.

The cost of these immunizations, which must be a series of three, is $120.00 each. If you have two little gals that becomes $720. I also went on the Internet and they told all about the four strains, but they didn't mention anything about the 96 others. Hmm, wonder why. On Feb. 20 a news report said the lobbying was stopped for the vaccine.

I think our governor should take a closer look at this picture. Take a look at the number of little girls in the public schools. They want to make this vaccine mandatory for all girls going into 6th grade. I hope the parents and guardians of these pre-teens take time to think this through.

Joni Beck

Rochester

Give handicapped a hand

This letter is in response to a picture in last week's paper.

The picture showed a man in a wheelchair having to out into the street in order to get around. This brings up a subject that most people continue to forget. People with disabilities whether they have a cane, walker or wheelchair do have rights.

We have the right to go to work, shopping just like anybody else. All we ask in return is a shoveled walkway, or handicapped accessible ramps. So when you see someone with a disability perhaps open a door for us. You never know you maybe in our shoes someday.

Laurie Kell

Racine

Didn't learn from mistakes

I thought when a mistake is made you learn from that mistake and correct it. Apparently we did not.

After Sept. 11, we went after the wrong ones. Looking for weapons of mass destruction, we found none. The ones who initiated this horrible act are still alive. When estimated, the money spent on this war could have been used to give all Americans health insurance, helped the homeless and so much more.

People have died on both sides. Calling some people axis of evil is no way to negotiate peace.

We have learned nothing from our mistakes.

Mariana Giacinti

Racine

Supporters won't use KRM

I have read numerous letters in the Opinion pages recently written by proponents of the proposed KRM Metro rail service. It always amazes me how many want this service � however, I would like to see into the future and count what percentage of proponents will actually be using the service on a regular daily basis.

I venture to say that the majority of the so-called proponents wouldn't use the service daily if it becomes available.

Most commuters are used to the convenience of driving their own transportation, and I don't believe the vast majority would ever give up their private conveyance to ride the KRM. If, however, they are willing to sign on the dotted line (that they will ride the Metro daily), then-and-only-then, lets have a referendum to determine who will pay for it.

I for one do not believe that the KRM Metro will ever pay for itself.

Ralph Ludwig, 75

Racine

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