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THE SANDBOX Archive ~ 2000 (Part 3 of 5)
SEP, 2000 ~ #79, #80, #81, #82, #83, #84, #85,
#86, #87, #88, #89, #90, #91, #92
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THE SANDBOX ~ Issue #79 ~ September 3, 2000
"The best things in life are not things."
- Art Buchwald
Look who's talking today:
Michael West Rivers (68WB), Patty Stordahl (72),
Shirley Collings (66), Vernon Blanchette (64),
John Allen (66), Dick Epler (52)
Subj: Re: A Sandbox Note
From: mwestr@lasvegas.net (Michael West Rivers)
Just a small question, WHERE, is Shippenville,
USA? Any where near the Simpson's home town
Springville USA? :o) Sounds like an "neat" place
though. :o)...-Michael West Rivers :o) (68WB)
Answer: About five miles from Clarion. Yes,
Shippenville USA is a "neat" place, both from the
standpoint of nature in an environmental sense,
with beautiful rivers and woods, and the nature of
people, too; people who flash their lights to
relinquish their right of way so you can get in and
out of traffic easily, where if there are two lines
waiting to buy stamps at the post office, folks at
the head of one line will relinquish to a person in
the other line if he or she has been waiting longer,
where if you sneeze on the street, a local doctor is
likely to walk up and write you a prescription at no
charge, even if you are not one of his patients; stuff
like that. You can smile freely as you pass folks
on the sidewalk whether you know them or not,
without fear of being shot. Wish you could all
come up here for the spectacular fall colors
celebration we'll be having here in just a few
weeks. A supremely beautiful time of year in
Shippenville, USA and the surrounding environs!
~ ~ ~
Subj: Sandbox Note
From: miles2go@cheerful.com (John M. Allen)
Al,
I assume that since you didn't mention it, you have
not lost any submissions in your latest move as you
did when you moved back East. Is Shippenville in
a state?
Answer: No, John, I don't believe any submissions
were lost in this most recent move as did happen
concurrently with my last move do to a computer
crash. Some may feel their submissions have been
lost, however, since quite a backlog of Sandbox
submissions has developed due to a high level of
interest and participation in this forum by so many
of our fellow alumni. I hope to be able to find the
time to put more issues out more frequently in order
to keep up with the demand. I certainly do
appreciate everyone's enthusiasm and want to make
every effort to assure that all contributions are
published in a fresh and timely sequence.
Shippenville is not a state, but if it were, it would be
a very good state to be in.
~ ~ ~
Subj: Re: A Sandbox Note
From: DZIGNRITE@aol.cfom (Patty Stordahl 72)
To: SendBOX
Where is Shippenville?
-Patty Stordahl 72
Answer: In Clarion County, USA
~ ~ ~
Subj: Re: A Sandbox Note
From: asking@att.net (Shirley Collings Haskins, '66)
To: SendBOX@aol.com
What an inspirational message! Thanks for sharing
your thoughts, Al. Best of luck in your new
home.
:) Shirley Collings Haskins, '66
Thanks Shirley! I certainly am enjoying life out
here. Also I find myself supremely busy handling
various events, all of them with positive outcomes,
I am sure.
~ ~ ~
Subj: Re: A Sandbox Note
From: vernon@digital.net (Vernon Blanchette, '64)
To: SendBOX@aol.com
where is Shippenville?
Answer: Shippenville is 5 miles from Clarion, The
County Seat of Clarion County in Western
Pennsylvania, kinda midway between Pittsburgh
and Erie. Maybe not quite midway but somewhere in
between. If you follow Interstate 80 to exit 8 in
Pennsylvania, you'll be getting very close to me.
Pennsylvania: Where much of what our nation is today
began and where much of it is still the same!
~ ~ ~
Subj: The Politics behind Richland's Fast Flux Test
Facility (FFTF)
From: depler@ortelco.net (Dick Epler, '52)
I have to believe that Jim Moran (87), writing in
SANDBOX #75, realizes by now that I did NOT
say that the FFTF was shut down by the present
Administration. I clearly stated that I thought it
was shut down in 1991. Actually, the FFTF's last
operating day was March 19, 1992, and yes, I was
there and signed the commemorative log in the
control room.
I suspect Jim is responding to my statement that
"Unofficially it [the reactor] was shut down for
two reasons: 1) Washington State doesn't want
anything to do with nuclear stuff; and 2) the
present Administration wants to build a new
reactor for producing Tritium and medical isotopes
in Tennessee (wonder why Tennessee)?" What I
should have said is that the reactor was not
*restarted* because of [those] two reasons. That
would have made my statement correct. You see,
technically, the FFTF is not shutdown, it's on
standby, and the Clinton Administration had the
option of restarting it in 1993 and maybe for a few
years after that. At this point, however, the reactor
probably can't be restarted since much of the talent
is gone. I suspect it's finally time for the sodium to
be drained and the facility dismantled.
Nevertheless, Jim is quite correct when he says that
the shutdown of the FFTF was many years in the
making. Indeed, even before the reactor went
critical for the first time on February 9, 1980, its
future was in doubt. The FFTF is a test reactor and
was built for the express purpose of testing
materials for the LMFBR (Liquid Metal Fast
Breeder Reactor) that was to be built at Clinch
River, Tennessee. In those days, liquid metal
breeder reactors (LMR) were the solution to the
shortage of fissile materials like U-235. Well,
anyway, shortly after the Three-Mile Island nuclear
incident (March 28, 1979) President Carter
stopped construction of the LMFBR, and
challenged the FFTF to find another mission or be
shut down as well.
No problem. As a research test reactor, the FFTF
was without peer in the world. Indeed, at different
times, the reactor was actually a revenue producer
for DOE as it was able to produce very useful
research under contract for LMB's belonging to
both France and Japan. And for the United States,
the FFTF demonstrated viable capabilities in four
critical areas: 1) Medical Isotopes that were in
increasingly short supply; 2) the transmutation of
Hanford's long-lived waste isotopes, including
I-129 and Tc-99; 3) the transmutation of
Americium and Neptunium into Pu-238 and
Pu-239 for use in thermoelectric power generators
for the NASA's space program, and 4) the
production of Tritium for the DOD. Oh yes, one
more thing. FFTF was built with a power option
that could deliver, I believe, a little more than 100
MW of electricity to the grid.
Jim is also correct when he alludes to President
Bush's Energy Secretary, Admiral James D.
Watkins, who after touring the FFTF on August
29, 1989, made the comment that the FFTF is the
"crown jewel" of DOE's reactors – and then, just a
few months later, in early 1990, announcing that
the FFTF would be shut down at the beginning of
FY91. For political reasons, however, the decision
was delayed a year to FY92.
Understand, now, the FFTF was the nation's
newest, largest and safest R&D reactor. Indeed, it
was the ONLY DOE reactor that met all modern
criteria for nuclear safety and environmental
protection. Its operation had already been subject
to a complete EIS (Environmental Impact
Statement) just like commercial reactors licensed
by the NRC.
Moreover, at least four FFTF missions had been
identified, all critical to the Nation's medical,
waste-cleanup, space, and defense programs. So
how was the DOE going to meet these critical
needs? Their choice was to transfer existing FFTF
programs to the tiny, aging, EBR-II (Experimental
Breeder Reactor-II) at INEL in Idaho, with the
possibility of building a new reactor in Tennessee
at a later time. The point was that FFTF HAD to
be shut down, and EBR-II designated inadequate,
before Congress would consider funding a new
reactor.
For most of us at FFTF, it seemed the only way to
reconcile such an overtly political decision was to
conclude that if the FFTF were located in Idaho or
Tennessee (two states that are much more tolerant
to nuclear research), then the FFTF would be alive
and well for many years into the future.
I should probably mention that in February 1991,
the Washington State congressional delegation
introduced a bill in Congress to permit private
industry to support FFTF operations, but of course
it went no-where and really didn't fool anyone.
Over the years, both DOE and NRC had quite
enough of Washington's environmental lawyers
and really needed to get out of Washington as
quickly as possible.
Maybe the worst thing Jimmy Carter did, as
President, was to create the DOE in a way that
politicized the nation's energy policy for all
succeeding Presidents. The DOE really has no
power to do or suggest anything useful. Anyone
who has had to deal with the DOE knows the
problem. In effect, the President is the one and
only Energy Czar and the DOE secretary is just the
whipping boy. No doubt, Admiral Watkins found
that out soon enough. It must have been hard for
him.
As an aside, President Reagan was the first to try to
abolish the DOE recognizing that it had no useful
function, but was prevented by the Democratically
controlled congress. The Democrats were
concerned that doing so would help bring the
budget into balance. The budgets Reagan
submitted to Congress were always balanced, and
the possibility that Reagan's success could be even
greater was anathema to the Democratic Party. So
they simply put the money for DOE (along with a
great many other things) back into the budget.
Currently, the direct cost to taxpayers for DOE
will be $16.8 billion for FY2000.
In defense of DOE-RL, they treated the Reduction
Of Force (ROF) of the mid-90s the same way they
did the one that resulted from a shutdown of
N-Reactor. No competent employee was forced
out of a job. In the '95 ROF, most transferred to
the 200 Areas for waste cleanup; some, like
myself, took early retirement; and some transferred
to other DOE sites like Savanna River. A few
accepted a voluntary-ROF that provided them with
educational opportunities to learn new skills.
Richland has always tried to take care of their
own.
Before leaving this subject, I should probably say
that I'm not unhappy that the LMRs didn't
succeed commercially. Their failure, in the face of
the nation's increasing energy shortage, has
provided the impetus for the private development
of a much more satisfying energy source: fuel cells.
Check it out. It's a technology that's been waiting
in the wings for a long time now and is just about
ready to go commercial big time. Unlike Wind and
Photovoltaic's, DOE has let private industry
develop fuel cells with little interference, and that's
been a very good thing for the nation.
- Dick Epler (52)
- 79 -
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THE SANDBOX ~ Issue #80 ~ September 9, 2000
Great American Conversations
With the Alumni of Richland High School,
AKA Columbia High School
Richland, Washington
"I'm proof against that word failure, I've seen
behind it. The only failure a man ought to fear is
failure in cleaving to the purpose he sees to be
best."
- George Elliot
Look Who's Talking Today:
Mary (Ray) Henslee (61)
Bob Carlson (aka "Mike Clowes") '54,
Jack Grouell '61
Subj: Don't Mess With Texas
From: Mary (Ray) Henslee (61)
mah@satx.net
Paul Ratsch (58), it is my guess that you have never
been to Texas or you would know that we Texans
enjoy a very low cost of living. It is probably one
of the lowest in the nation. More people here
enjoy above average living conditions than in
Washington or California, especially California.
While even the affluent are living in less than
adequate homes in California, people in Texas are
paying the same price to live in upper-class
neighborhoods where the houses range from 3000
to 4000 square feet in size. The cost of living in
Washington State is much higher than here also.
Blue-collar workers can afford to live very nicely
here and they do not pay more than their fair share
of the taxes, as you seem to think. We do not have
a state income tax that drains the poor and middle
class of their wages. One is only taxed if they own
property and it is based on the appraised value of
the property. The rich pay the most by virtue of
the fact that they live in higher priced homes.
Texas probably has the best highway system in this
country. We also have excellent schools that are
not falling down and endangering our children as
Vice President Gore tried to portray in his speech
at the Democratic National Convention. If
Governor Bush had been from another state, I am
sure that he would have picked a school in that
state to zero in on. In my opinion that segment of
his speech was a subtle way to discredit Bush and
Texas without being accused of taking a direct
shot. A Bond has already been passed to renovate
or rebuild the school in question.
We pay far less for gasoline and license plates than
most places, leaving more money in our pocket to
afford the better things in life.
I would suggest that you or anyone else that is
under such a misconception check out
Homefair.com on the web. This site will give you
all of the information that you need to compare the
cost of living in any town or state. It will compare
what your wages need to be to achieve the same
standard of living anywhere in this country. You
will probably end up wishing that were so lucky.
I think that the stock market is the pulse of this
nation right now because it encompasses a vast
number of people from every ethnic, age, and
economic group as it never has before. If Bush
starts leading in the polls, the stock market will
rally because fear of big government's attacks on
big business will diminish.
I don't think that this country is as well off right
now as this administration would have us believe.
Many companies are still downsizing and it takes
two salaries and longer hours for a family to make
ends meet. The high cost of groceries makes it
near impossible to plan a healthy diet for most
people. Health Insurance is out of reach for most
people and under Gore that cost would go up after
he wages his attack against HMO's.
I think that this administration underestimates the
intelligence of the American people or relies on
those that don't bother to become informed. To
say that we need to spend taxpayer dollars so that
the elderly can buy their prescription medicine is
ludicrous. Supplemental insurance to Medicare
costs next to nothing for the elderly. The elderly
are the only segment of our society right now that
can enjoy adequate health care at very little cost.
My mother pays $30 a month for the top Humana
supplemental policy and she only pays a small
CO-payment for all of her medication and doctor
visits. With Secure Horizons there is no premium
to pay because the cost is taken out of one's
Medicare payment. There are many other
insurance programs available too numerous to
mention. When my mother had a stroke she
received topnotch care in one of the best hospitals
in town under her present HMO, with no out of
pocket expenses or forms to fill out. There are
insurance companies that do try to rip-off the
elderly and before the family took over her affairs
she was paying $300 a month for a policy that was
not an HMO. Without HMO's the elderly would
need to rely solely on the taxpayers because
Medicare supplemental insurance would be too
costly for many to afford. Why aren't the elderly
being informed that affordable Medicare
supplemental insurance is available to them instead
of being led to believe that the government's help is
their only option? What good is it for the elderly
to have government paid prescriptions if their
Medicare is not adequate enough to pay for their
medical procedures? It would make more sense to
me to provide the elderly who cannot afford
supplemental insurance with some sort of tax
credit to help pay for their insurance premium.
This would not only ensure them the prescriptions
that they need, but other health care as well.
The Estate Tax is a criminal tax that needs to be
abolished and to say abolishment would only serve
to benefit the rich is ludicrous. Due to 401K's and
other available investments, the percentage of
estates subject to the tax will balloon in the future.
It is feasible for almost everyone today down to the
lowest paid people to leave at least a million dollar
estate and probably more because many are
starting to plan for retirement earlier in life than
ever before. Realistically it is not the person
leaving an estate that is affected by this tax, it is
their heirs. A person's heirs may be small children
who still need to be raised and educated; a spouse
with little earning capacity; a handicapped family
member; heirs who wish to continue a family
business; or just love ones who deserve to reap the
rewards of what is left from a person's lifetime of
hard work. Use winning the lottery as an example.
The government would take a large portion of
your winnings right up front and then when you
die they will take half of what is left. In the end
the government manages to get most of it. The
situation is no different with your 401K, IRA, or
other assets that have already been taxed to the hilt
before they ever become part of your estate.
George Bush has stated that he is for repealing the
estate tax. If he were in office right now, the
estate tax repeal bill would not have been vetoed.
The estate tax was originally instituted to pay off
World War I debts. After the debts were paid, it
was never taken off the books. It is high time that
the American people challenge its continued
legitimacy.
If a candidate has good common sense and
character, things will fall into place and issues will
be addressed to our satisfaction. If a candidate is
for the people, he or she should be for all of the
people. For Gore to say that he is not for big
people, but only for the common people, is to say
that the common people risk alienation from the
populace if they strive to rise through the ranks. I
don't think Robin Hood economics will keep our
economy thriving. Hopefully both candidates will
run a campaign over the next few months that will
give us the insight that we need to make the right
choice.
I challenge anyone to come up with a place with a
lower cost of living and a better salsa and
basketball team than Texas. Perhaps Shippenville?
Mary (Ray) Henslee (61)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Day's Pay
From: Jack Grouell '61
grouells@millenicom.com
Late in WW II when the Allies had managed to
gain almost complete air superiority in the skies
over Europe, the United States eliminated
camouflage paint an almost all combat aircraft to
save weight and reduce drag. Wing, Group, and
Squadron markings became extremely colorful on
the natural aluminum finish.
In the book "The Mighty Eighth" (Roger A.
Freeman LOC 72-76476) Illustrator John B.
Rabbets presents several pages of drawings
showing these brilliantly colored airplanes. Of
particular interest are the B-17's of the 94th Bomb
Group with bright yellow vertical and horizontal
tails and wing tips, red cowls, and a red chevron on
the starboard wing. A visit to the 94th Bomb
Group web page
(http://www.94thbombgroup.com/94thB-17sNames-NumbersD-E94.htm) also lists
that a B-17 named
"Days Pay" served in that outfit. The artist must
have done some research to have come up with
that data.
- Jack Grouell '61
~ ~ ~
Subj: Those Conventions
From: Bob Carlson (aka "Mike Clowes") '54
bobs@proaxis.com (Robert Carlson)
Well, are you all as thrilled as I am?
Weren't those conventions suspenseful? Ho hum.
Guess most of you young folk don't remember
when listening to or watching a political
convention used to be fun. There was suspense,
there were people who had something to say. Not
just the same speech delivered differently.
When was the last time there was a good "floor
fight?" No, I don't mean when Dan Rather or John
Chancellor got thrown out. I mean a good, honest
floor fight over credentials or a plank in the party's
platform. There was something in those that the
analysts could maybe tell who might win the
nomination.
The first year I ever really listened to what was
going on was 1948. The Republicans were
fighting over Taft or Dewey, with a little Stassen
thrown in. It really was interesting to hear which
delegates might cave in and give the nod to one
or the other. (In reality, Stassen never stood a
chance.) In the end the fellow Alice Roosevelt
Longworth described as the fellow on top of the
wedding cake won.
The issue wasn't in too much doubt in the
Democrat's camp; except that the Dixiecrats
(southern republicans disguised as democrats)
walked out over the issue of "States Rights" (read
segregation). The fun came when the talking
heads tried to predict who Truman's running mate
would be.
And to top it all off, there was the Progressive
Party. They were as much fun as a Pat Buchanan
labor rally. The former Vice President (whom J.
Edgar Hover said was a direct pipeline to
Moscow), Henry Wallace was the nominee, some
fellow from Idaho was his running mate.
Then came the campaign. Dewey and his cohort,
Earl Warren, then Governor of California,
meandered about the country in a leisurely fashion,
not really saying or doing much.
Truman stumped the country from the back of a
train, speaking at every whistle stop and water
tank along the way. He didn't brag about his own
virtues, but instead railed against the 89th
Congress for doing nothing. It was a Republican
controlled group and they really did nothing.
Even 1952 was fun. Would the Republicans
nominate Taft or would they "like Ike?"
And what about the Dem's? Truman wasn't going
to run again, so the nomination was really up for
grabs.
The big issue during this campaign was Korea. Ike
said he would go and put a stop to the fighting if
he were elected. Everybody else in the Republican
Party came down on Harry for firing MacArthur,
so guess who won? Well, Stevenson wasn't that
glamorous a candidate, too cerebral.
So, what do we get now, packaged pap from both
parties, and since Jessie "The Body" Ventura said
he wasn't interested the whole campaign becomes a
crashing bore. Wait a minute, that sounds like
both major candidates. And did they ever whip the
country into a frenzy.
Could Chicago, 1964, be to blame? Probably
scared the stuffing out of both parties. Can't have
that sort of thing, bad for the image and all that.
So what did they come up with, two hours (more
or less) of prime time gunk. Is it so surprising that
reruns of "Gilligan's Island" on Nick-at-Night had
higher ratings.
And you wonder why there is voter apathy.
I fully expect to hear from Dick Epler, '52, about
this. But he lived through those "fun" years also.
We may not have agreed on the choice of
candidates, but I think we both had fun listening
(on radio in '48) and watching (TV in '52). But
since Lyndon and Barry slugged it out,
conventions and campaigns have become more
boring. Maybe this is all retribution for General
LeMay's comment about bombing someone back
to the stone age.
My advice: Sit back, relax and "Just Vote No" on
most tax measures.
- Bob Carlson (aka "Mike Clowes") '54
~ ~ ~
That concludes this issue, folks.
Please remember to include your class year and
former name, (if applicable), in all correspondence
and subscription requests. To join in the ongoing
conversations here, send your comments to:
The_Sandbox@bigfoot.com or simply hit the reply
button and start talking to us!
-Al Parker, Your Sandbox Moderator
- 80 -
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THE SANDBOX ~ Issue #81 ~ September 9, 2000
"The free expression of opinion, as experience has
taught us, is the safety-valve of passion. The noise
of the rushing stream, when it escapes, alarms the
timid but it is the sign that we are safe."
-Gladstone
The SANDBOX is an ongoing forum participated
in by the alumni of Richland High School, (AKA)
Columbia High School, Richland Washington.
Look Who's Talking Today!
Steve Carson `58, Paul W. Ratsch `58,
Jenny Smart Page `87, Kelly Weil Austin `81,
Jack Grouell '61, Barbara Seslar `60
Barbra Williamson AKA Jeanie Walsh `63
Ann Minor '70
~ ~ ~
Let The Conversations Begin!
Subj: Re: Brad Wear
From: Paul W. Ratsch [58]
pratsch@hotmail.com
(Referring to comments by Brad Wear in an earlier Sandbox)
ANOTHER TEXAS BUSINESS MAN STUMPING FOR BUSH!!!!!!!!!
~ ~ ~
Subj: Laws, Skills and Living Standards
From: Steve Carson 58
SteveNitro@aol.com
For Paul - I just returned from two weeks in East
Africa with my Dad and Brother. Now there is a
place where living standards are at the first
Maslow level of sustenance. Paul, I don't have
time to find the actual statistics but The top 10% of
taxpayers (the evil rich) pay 90% of the income
taxes. My issue with the democrats, coming
straight out of Mr. Gore's mouth, is that he wants
everyone to be able to pursue their dreams but if
you succeed in achieving your dreams and the
income to match you instantly become the evil
rich. And... the term "working families" confuses
me. Does the 60 hours a week I spend
shepherding my company along not count as
working? I don't think your living standards
depend on laws, Paul, I suspect that your skills are
what support you. Be Well!
~ ~ ~
Subj: Harry Potter And Another Choice
From: Jenny Smart Page (87)
mailto:jpage@3-cities.com
Although I have not read the "Harry Potter"
series, I am reluctant to introduce it to my young
reader for a variety of reasons. First, I am not
comfortable with the wizards/witches, etc.
storyline that is promoted. I agree that this single
series of books is not going to turn the next
generation into a bunch of witchcraft spell-spinners.
But, I think it's also more than that --- its one
more chink in the pole of standards of our society,
making what used to be viewed as "abnormal" as
"normal". Secondly, I've heard these books (among
others) described as "junk-food reading"; meaning
that although it may be an exciting story, there's
not any real challenge to it. And, I would assume,
that any 700+ page book that a kid can read in a
matter of a couple of days confirms that.
For those of you looking for an alternative that
does not involve a topic offensive to some basic
Christian beliefs, I do have a suggestion. Point
your kids (and yourself) to the "Left Behind" series
by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye. It's a series of
six books (I think), for kids, and a series of seven
in the adult series (but I know many young teens
and pre-teens who have read the adult versions.
The difference between the series is the age of the
main characters). The books are about the Second
Coming of Christ and the seven year tribulation
period between the Rapture of the Church and
Christ's actual coming. Excellent stories, so good
in fact a movie is being made from the first book
this summer (due out next year maybe?). Good
guys, bad guys, lots of action, a little romance
(but nothing even close to being graphically
inappropriate for young kids), some violence that
may make some squeamish.
Although these books are a quick read, they can certainly make you stop and look at your life, and
think about which side of eternity you might be on if this were to happen today.
-Jenny Smart Page (87)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Harry Potter
From: Kelly Weil Austin (81)
mailto:kaustin@austin-home.com
RE: Harry Potter
8/23's sandstorm has probably beaten this subject
to death, but I'll put in my two cents worth.
I have not personally read these books, but if I
were to place my judgment on any book, it would
be beneficial for me to read it first, right?
I can thank people like J.R. Tolkien, Walt
Disney, Lewis Carroll, and many other authors of
children's literature and movies for helping to
nurture my imagination in my childhood. I loved
books and movies like "The Lord of the Rings",
"Mary Poppins", "Bed Knobs and Broomsticks",
"Star Wars" and many others of magical content.
They haven't corrupted my mind or turned me to
the "dark side". Plus, these characters used their
magic for good, not evil. Most of the stories I've
read were always good against evil, with good
always winning out!
I could site many a biblical reference (too many
to list here) that pertained to magic. Many of our
greatest prophets, Moses and Daniel to name a
few, used magical powers with the help of our
Lord to perform miracles and wonders. It is the
Spirit whom they called upon to make a point that
made a difference. Jesus cautions us not to call
upon the name of anyone but Him. Many of the
magicians, mediums of Pharaoh's and
Nebukednezzar's (sp.) courts didn't recognize
God's power or assistance in interpreting dreams
and performing their magic. In actuality, if they
didn't side with God, they sided with Satan and
all he stands for.
This is the argument that many people have a
problem with in comparing modern literature to
what the Bible says about magic. God cares about
the heart, not outward appearances.
Get to the heart of any matter before you place
judgment upon it!
Thanks for letting me vent my opinion.
-Kelly Weil Austin (81)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Re: Days Pay and The SANDBOX Issue 76
From: Jack Grouell '61
grouells@millenicom.com (Jack Grouell)
Al,
In the latest Sandstorm, Maren posted the ULL for
a Web page that has quite a bit of information on
"Days Pay" and a nice picture of the mural. -Bob
Carlson, aka Mike Clowes (54) also posted
essentially the same information about
uncamouflaged airplanes late in WW2 that I
originally sent to the Sandbox. I plan on doing
two things: I'll send the mural ULL to the 94th
Bomb Group site and I'll draft a short post to the
Sandstorm explaining what I have found about the
markings on the mural accurately reflecting the 94th
Bomb Group and finding a B-17 named "Days
Pay" on the roster of 94th Bomb group aircraft.
Hope this is OK. And keep up the great job you
are doing facilitating the exchange of ideas and
information on all subjects - it is a gift to all of us
and we are very fortunate to have you and Maren
taking this on!
Day's pay web page is at:
http://AllBombers.tripod.com/dayspay.html
- Jack Grouell '61
~ ~ ~
Subj: Well said!
From: Barbara Seslar (1960)
radman@gte.net (Brackenbush)
Re: When Did Being a Parent Change, and Why?
(Patty Stordahl 1972)
Well said. I believe one of the worst influences we
have today is the television programming (even
some of the children's programming). I have a
hard time allowing my grandchildren to watch any
of it. And I can't find a movie to go see. I do
enjoy checking movies out of the library -- they are
from earlier days, before we even needed to
impose a rating.
Someone stated "the media owned by the
conservatives..." That is the first time I ever heard
that! Please explain further. :-)
- Barbara Seslar (1960)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Government By The People Is Still Alive
And Well in Simi Valley
From: Barbra Williamson AKA Jeanie Walsh (63)
Reply-to: barbra.williamson@worldnet.att.net
Normally I don't reply to any conversations that
take place in the SANDBOX but Anna
Durbin's(69) comments about partisan politics and
government "not really by the people" struck a
sour cord with this elected official. Just one
question? When was the last time you contributed
to a "local" campaign? When was the last time
you walked a precinct for a candidate (any
candidate) you truly believed in? Or the last time
you donated $100 for a local, grassroots city
council member? I represent a city of 110,000
residents. We are the safest city in the United
States. We are graffiti free. To run for re-election
I need to raise approximately $60,000. For that,
I will mail three mail pieces, (printing, 4 color is
about $15,000) postage will run about $10,000.
Signs run about $2,000, etc. My salary for being
an elected official is about $1,100, which I have
to pay taxes on. I travel about 800 miles a month
and I attend such functions as the Disabled
American Veterans, Boys & Girls Club Annual
Auction, YMCA, and oh, I pay my own way. I
figure when all is said and done, I go in the hole.
The other eight hours of the day, I am a Vice
President of a local bank, so the political thing is
really a volunteer job to help make peoples lives in
our city just a little bit better (especially senior
citizens who live BELOW the poverty level
because their Social Security check just can't quite
make it and now HUD wants to take away
their section 8) I am in the local phone book so
people can call, day or night (and they do) so I can
be of service to them, after all, that is what I was
elected to do. I am not complaining, mind you, I
just get a little ticked when silly comments are
made. Yes, I realize you were pointing at
Congress, but it all begins at the "grassroots" level.
As the old saying goes, "If you're not part of the
solution, you're part of the problem" Just some
food for thought.
Barbra Williamson AKA Jeanie Walsh(63)
Council Member
City of Simi Valley
~ ~ ~
Subj: Horatio Alger
From: Ann Minor '70
Reply-to: weaselmthr@ncidata.com (Ann)
After contributing to the "draw a peace sign an
every brick" moment on every brick moment at
Col-Hi, and yes, I admit it (and would do it again)
"walking on the bomb" in the foyer, I now live on
an Indian reservation and consider myself a
recovering liberal. War is still evil- but some are
more evil than others. I cannot imagine willingly
sending my twin boys off to one willingly...but as
far as Horatio goes, like I said, I live on the rez
and now support termination. People who are just
given boots can rarely seem to find the straps.
Don't think I could bring myself to vote for a Bush,
but Gore is so smarmy I could only vote for him if
he swore to wear a bag over his head for his whole
term...BMW, Mike Franco, your father is still
spoken of with great fondness in my father's
household, and Al Parker, thank you for
hosting.
-Ann Minor '70
~ ~ ~
That concludes this issue, folks.
Please remember to include your class year and
former name, (if applicable), in all correspondence
and subscription requests. To join in the ongoing
conversations here, send your comments to:
The_Sandbox@bigfoot.com or simply hit the reply
button and start conversing with us!
- Al Parker (53)
Your Sandbox Host
- 81 -
***************************************
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********************************************
THE SANDBOX ~ Issue #82 ~ September 12, 2000
"There are important cases in which the difference
between half a heart and a whole heart makes just
the difference between signal defeat and a splendid
victory." -A. H. K. Boyd
Look who's talking today~
Norma (Loescher) Boswell (53
Ann Minor '70, Steve Carson (58),
Gene Trosper (85), Dick Epler (52)
Bob Carlson (aka "Mike Clowes") '54
Let the conversations begin!
Subj: Re: TV Sitcom: "99352"
From: Norma (Loescher) Boswell (53)
rosybos@altavista.com (Norma Boswell)
Our moderator Al Parker asked an interesting
question. Would we like to see 99352 expressed as
a sitcom or a drama? Who would be the
characters? What would be the plot? Is there a
theme?
I lean toward a sitcom. "A little bit of sugar helps
the medicine go down." People will listen to
almost any opinion if it makes them laugh. A good
writer could present history in humorous terms
ranging from gentle to sharp-edged. The characters
could be people like ourselves and our parents,
living through the 40's. If the series received good
ratings, the timeline could move into later years,
perhaps up to the present.
Two possible themes could be persistence and
resilience.
- Norma (Loescher) Boswell (53)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Bismuth-213:
A Query About Cancer Therapies
From: - Ann Minor '70
Reply-to: weaselmthr@ncidata.com
OK, attach Bismuth-213 (re: issue # 75) to pt's own
cancer antibody works for me, but in the case of
leukemia, are the "bad" (cancerous) white blood
cells different enough from the healthy ones that
the antibodies attach to only the bad ones?
What about the stem cells or whichever in the
marrow that are producing the "bad" ones? I
imagine the point of the letter was pro-nuclear
rather than what's new in oncology, but I really
am interested. The new therapies really rock,
and will, I truly believe, make chemo obsolete
in our (hopefully) lifetimes. Anyone know more
about the use of radioactive isotopes in cancer
tagging therapies? Thanks.
- Ann Minor '70
~ ~ ~
Subj: Foreign Policy
From: Steve Carson (58)
SteveNitro@aol.com
Re: The SANDBOX #78
For Marc Franco. I appreciated your response and
believe that we are in agreement. The elements I
would look for in our foreign policy would be an
acknowledgment that countries we are dealing
with have their own culture and values and that we
respect them. (Human Rights should always be in
our consciousness and we a proponent of them)
I like the Bush acknowledgment that we have been
essentially ignoring our South American neighbors
and that his administration will address that. As to
foreign policy in trade matters I believe that a
mirror policy would serve us well and put the
onus on our trading partner to set the bar.
Another question is how we could go about
managing our monetary foreign aid so that it gets
to the programs intended and not into the pockets
of the government officials.
Be well, Steve Carson (58)
~ ~ ~
Subj: If McCain Had Been Gore's Running Mate
From: Steve Carson (58)
SteveNitro@aol.com
Re: The SANDBOX #78
Mr. Eckert: The problem with your scenario is that
if McCain was named to the Democrat ticket he
would be booted out of the Republican party, loose
his seniority and his Chairmanship.
Given Gore's actual pick will we now hear of the
Radical Religious Left?
Steve Carson (58)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Libertarians Becoming More Representative
of The Populace
Re: The SANDBOX #78
From: Gene Trosper (85)
gtrosper@ez2.net
Bob Carlson wrote:
"...the reason that libertarians are not represented in
national office is not their respectability, but their
intelligence. They are too smart for the voters. I
don't mean to say that they are smarter than the
average voter, they just appear to be. Does this
explain Jesse Ventura? Who knows."
Ah! The "Geek Factor"! being a Libertarian, I
know full well the impression that some people
have of us: Intelligent and overly rational. It's no
secret that many Libertarians are professors,
computer scientists, engineers, philosophers, etc.
Attending a Libertarian Convention can sometimes
seem like a convening of the "intellectually
supercharged."
I think a lot of this stems from the early years of the
party when a majority of it's members were
devotees of Ayn Rand and her Objectivist
philosophy. A philosophy which praises reason and
success.
Over the years however, we have seen more
"average Joe's" filter in to the Libertarian Party. In
fact, at our recent national convention in Anaheim,
CA, I would say that the average Joe easily
outnumbered the "Old Guard." We finally have
become much more representative of the populace.
Many of us can wait for our shot at representation
in national office because we would rather slowly
and methodically build our base of support from
the bottom up. If we have no solid foundation, we
will surely crumble, just as the Reform Party has
already done.
As for Jesse Ventura being a libertarian....not on
your life! He may agree with libertarians on some
issues, but he takes a decidedly unlibertarian
stand on many other issues. He is more of a poulist
than libertarian. And while I am at it, I may as well
remind everyone that Lyndon LaRouche IS NOT
a Libertarian! I have no idea how that rumor
started, but it is finally coming to an end.
- Gene Trosper `85
~ ~ ~
Subj: The Surplus, Social Security, and Taxes
August 31, 2000
From: Dick Epler (52)
depler@ortelco.net
This year's election rhetoric is going to be mostly
about "spending the surplus." So maybe the first
thing we need to know is that there is NO Budget
surplus -- yet. If there were a surplus, then we
would actually be spending less money than we
take in, and the public debt, which is an
accumulation of deficits, would be getting smaller,
right? Well, it's not! We were supposed to have a
small surplus in FY99. Didn't happen, instead,
FY99 wound up a $130 billion deeper in the hole.
In another month (9/30/00) we'll know the results
for FY2000.
The debt varies from month to month and has been
lower in some months than the previous, but on a
yearly basis, the debt since 1969 has always been
higher than the year before. An Internet site that
provides an up to date accounting of the public
debt down to the penny is
http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/opd/opdpenny.htm
. There are other sites, based on the same official
information that provide a more graphic portrayal
of the Government's income and expenses that
produce this debt, currently at $5.67 trillion.
So how, you might ask, can both political parties
rationally argue that we have surpluses when the
debt is increasing? The short answer is that they
can't - at least not yet.
The long answer, that I won't get into, has to do
with various economic projections, which may or
may not come to pass. In truth, what the
politicians call a "surpluses" is only a future
projection and therefore not reliable. Worse, the
mentality of Government's everywhere is never to
end a fiscal year with a surplus. People who have
been involved in Hanford's budgeting process
know this all too well. At the end of each fiscal
year, there is generally a rush by each department
to finish with a small overrun. It's a tried and true
way you get your department's allocation
increased for the next year. To his credit, President
Carter tried to institute zero-base budgeting, but of
course it didn't help a lot. When it comes to
spending money, Government is very creative.
Whatever the projected surplus is now, it WILL
change, especially AFTER the election and in a
negative direction. We can depend on it. After all,
the people projecting surpluses (the CBO and the
OMB) are the same as those who, just a few years
ago, were projecting deficits to the end of time.
What we really have here is an accounting problem.
Any corporate CEO or CFO that used our
government's accounting rules would be put in jail.
Social Security (SS) is an excellent example. It's a
pay-as-you-go plan, also known as a pyramid
scheme because it's dependent on always having
significantly more contributors at the bottom than
recipients at the top. But current demographics
suggest just the opposite, which means that Social
Security, rather than having a surplus, is actually
running a deficit in actuarial terms, as there are NO
reserves (trust fund) to pay future claims. All
claims are paid from current receipts. It's always
been that way. No private insurance company
would be allowed to do that. But that's not even
the worst part.
The worst part is that even if the surplus were real,
Government will never have the will to setup
individual SS accounts that are "untouchable" by
Government. Both parties seem to agree on this.
Every year the SS "surplus" is spent in its entirety
by Government on other programs. In all previous
years, to even suggest investing that money in
separate SS accounts would mean the Government
would have to either cut existing programs or raise
taxes. Apparently, that will be true in the future,
whether there is a surplus or not, as neither party
really believes in privatizing SS.
In truth, however, having the Government "save"
money by investing in the markets is a bad idea
(big, BIG, source of mischief there). So the best
the Treasury can ever do is to buy back debt, but
the last time we had a surplus in 1969, the money
was simply carried over to the following year to
cover proposed increases in spending. This year, a
real tax reduction has been proposed as an
alternate to increased spending. And that's a large
part of what the current political rhetoric is all
about.
Currently, the accountants tell us that Federal
taxes are at 20.1% of GDP, the highest since 1945,
but most people aren't aware of it. That's because
almost 50% of the people don't pay any *Income*
tax. But even if they don't pay Income Tax,
they're paying a full 15.3% in SS (FICA) taxes on
all earned income. But they don't think of it as a
tax because they're under the illusion that the
money is being saved in a separate account for
their retirement. It's been a useful illusion. I should
mention that only half of the 15.3% (7.15%) is
visible on the pay stub. Employers are forced to
hide the other half, so this is another useful
illusion. Another major illusion is that corporations
pay taxes. Not true. The consumer pays corporate
income taxes at the register just like "state sales
taxes." The only difference is that corporate
income taxes are paid in the form of increased
prices so they're not as visible as sales taxes.
Calling for increased corporate taxes is like calling
for a tax increase on yourself. In truth, consumers
pay ALL taxes whatever you call them and it's a
good deal larger than 20.1% of GDP.
The real tax questions, then, are whether you
believe Government can spend your money better
than you, and if so, how much should government
allow you to keep (implying that the money really
doesn't belong to you). For what it's worth, Alan
Greenspan thinks individual spending is best
economically.
Regardless, the SS problem remains. The problem
is not that SS will run out of money. The problem
is that SS doesn't have any money. Never has!
Contrary to popular belief, Social Security taxes
are not deposited into Social Security trust funds.
They flow each day into thousands of depository
accounts maintained by the government with
various financial institutions across the country.
Along with many other forms of revenues, these
SS taxes become part of the government's
operating cash pool, more commonly referred to as
the U.S. Treasury. In truth, once these taxes are
received, they become indistinguishable from other
monies the government collects. Regarding SS
specifically, the best government can do is to
estimate when it will be necessary to increase taxes
when unfunded SS obligations become due.
To fix SS, the existing system has to be
significantly changed. Doing that has been called
the third-rail of politics, which is a subway train
metaphor implying that touching it will kill you.
Credit George Bush with a plan ALL politicians
know has a chance of succeeding. Maybe
Government can't save the "surplus," but
individuals can. For the first time in the history of
SS, individuals would actually have personal
accounts the Government can't touch. Lieberman
and other Democrats know it's the only reasonable
option, but that doesn't mean they won't try to kill
it. Democrats simply can't afford to have the
Republicans taking credit for something so
intelligent.
At this point, Marc Franco (66) might suggest that
I'm only proving his point that there's little
difference in the two parties. Of course, he's right
in many ways, but I would argue that in one very
fundamental way, the difference is huge. It has to
do with exactly how Government plans to impact
our lives in both the short and long terms. The
approaches of the two men and their parties really
are significantly different.
Maybe the tax plans of Bush and Gore are the
single best examples to illustrate the difference. It's
been said that Bush's plan is very simple, but is
hard for the public to grasp, while Gore's plan is
complicated but is very easy to grasp. So why is
that? The explanation isn't that hard, but I've yet
to hear anyone actually say it. In essence, simple
plans like Bush's aren't dependent on the media or
anyone else for understanding. Media
interpretation can be checked too easily so they
just don't say anything about Bush's plan. It's
something we can do for ourselves. On the other
hand, complicated tax plans allow the author
(Gore) to utter cutesy 5-second sound bites that
can go unchallenged. In other words, complicated
plans are essentially a license to lie with impunity.
Regardless of what you may actually think, you
have to believe that further complicating the tax
code is another big source of mischief.
Nevertheless, a few independent accountants have
attempted to analyze Gore's tax plan. His
apologists use selected details as debating material
on the Sunday talk shows without ever mentioning
the accountant's conclusion. Occasionally,
however, a host like Tim Russert, spoils
everything. On Sunday TV, Tim had the audacity
to display the following conclusion: "Gore's Tax
Plan is not really a tax cut, but is simply a
collection of Government programs to be
administrated by the IRS." That's as honest a
statement as you'll see in this campaign. Another is
that Gore's tax programs can be better described
as the "FY2000 Full Employment Act for Tax
Lawyers and Accountants" (anonymous), as those
are the people who benefit a good deal more than
the taxpayers.
But that's not why I personally don't like Gore's
plan. My big objection is that, like most
Government programs, Gore's plan distorts the
free economy by wasting valuable resources on
contrived problems created for the purpose of
buying votes. In addition, large centralized
programs always impose significant overhead to
become major impediments to getting things done
in a time useful to improving the situation of those
needing it. Again, the real beneficiaries of such
programs (bureaucrats, lawyers, accountants – big
government) are precisely those who don't need it.
On the other hand, history consistently teaches that
the best solutions are those that are made closest
to the source of the problem, i.e., on the local or
individual level.
Similar arguments can be made regarding other
issues such as education and medical. In each case,
the Democrats would expand Federal Government
to administer large programs that generally make
problems worse. The Republicans, in contrast, use
Government to encourage solutions closer to the
source, often down to the individual level. Here
are some of the consequences: For Democrats,
Government money always goes to the
*providers* of a particular benefit; for
Republicans, the money goes to *individuals* who
then decide among competing options to achieve
satisfactory solutions. For Democrats, giant
bureaucracies and industries are created to take
advantage of new Government money; for
Republicans, small highly mobile companies are
created to encourage people to consider alternate,
more satisfying, solutions than the single
Government recommendation. For Democrats,
people's unrealistic expectations often lead to
bitterness and class warfare as they worry that
someone else is getting away with more than they
are, and so feel angry about not getting their fair
share; for Republicans, people feel empowered to
decide their own fate, to enjoy success and to have
great feelings of self-accomplishment. For
Democrats, a bureaucracy is created that takes on
a life of its own to where it can never be gotten rid
of even after the original problem is gone; for
Republicans, getting individuals involved in their
own success is self-correcting and essentially
immediate. For Democrats, the original problems
never get solved, they just get more expensive; for
Republicans, once the initial problems are solved
the efforts are redirected to solving new problems
resulting in consistent progress.
To my way of thinking, those differences are
significant enough to use as a rational basis for our
vote. Voting on the basis of "image" is something
else entirely.
- Dick Epler (52)
depler@ortelco.net
Subj: Not a Clinton Lover/Apologist
From: Bob Carlson (aka "Mike Clowes") '54
bobs@proaxis.com (Robert Carlson)
I see I have now been singled out as a "Clinton
Lover/Apologist." Sorry, but I am neither. I'm
just a tax payer who's pissed off over the money
spent to prove that Clinton was a liar. The 100
million Ken Starr wasted would have been a nice
boost to Medicare/Medicaid or Social Security.
And now the new guy wants to spend even more
rehashing the same old stuff. How many times to
you want to flog the dead horse? You don't have
to spend a hundred mil to prove a politician is a
liar. That is a given. All you have to do is use
your eyes. If the politicians lips are moving, he's
lying.
Let's face it, "Slick Willie" (in the British slang
connotation of the word) was to the voters the
lessor of two evils. And that seems to be the way
of politics, at least on the Presidential level for the
past several elections going back to Roosevelt.
I will admit that I did not favor Kennedy over
Nixon, and in retrospect I thought that if Lodge
were the candidate, the Republicans might have
won. At the time I felt the nation could best be
served by someone who had the experience, not
some rich kid who was running because "Daddy"
had a dream. But that is hindsight, which at times
is as nearly myopic as foresight, and "Bootleg"
Joe's kid won.
I guess what I miss is Harry Truman. Not every
one agreed with his position on a given issue, but
at least we knew where he stood. Even his musical
tastes were well known; although endless
variations on "The Missouri Waltz" tend to get
boring. Just don't pick on his daughter's singing
ability. I begin to think that Bore and Gush
operate on the philosophy of "take any issue and
I'll agree with you on it." Let's face it, they're both
politicians.
And in this light, think of it this way. Clinton is a
liar, he has been impeached by the House and
found not guilty by the Senate. The race is over,
you lost, forget about it, and get on with better
things. Or are you still shocked that Jackie
married the Greek?
Bob Carlson (aka "Mike Clowes") '54
~ ~ ~
That concludes this issue, folks.
Please remember to include your class year and
former name, (if applicable), in all correspondence
and subscription requests. To join in the ongoing
conversations here, send your comments to:
The_Sandbox@bigfoot.com or simply hit the reply
button and start conversing with us!
- Al Parker (53)
Your SANDBOX host
- 82 -
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********************************************
THE SANDBOX ~ Issue #83 ~ September 14, 2000
"Those who have finished by making all others
think with them, have usually been those who
began by daring to think for themselves."
- Colton
Hear Who's Talking Today~
Mary (Ray) Henslee (61), Steve Carson (58),
Patty Stordahl (72), Ron Richards (63)
Chuck Monasmith (65), Linda McKnight (65)
Ladies and Gentleman, Start Your Engines!
Subj: Medicare Reform
From: Mary Ray Henslee (61) Mah@satx.net
The more that I learn about the prescription drug
plans set forth by the candidates, the more I
wonder about the future of this country. Of the
two proposals, I think that Bush's plan makes the
most sense and is flexible enough to streamline and
get passed. Gore seems to think that insurance
companies cannot effectively handle the issue and
that the government with all of its wisdom and
compassion is the be all, end all that can. Hmm!
Why is it then that in 1982 the Federal
Government recognized that Medicare was not
comprehensive enough coverage for most people
so it began contracting with health care
organizations to offer more benefits at little or no
additional cost to Medicare recipients?
Historically these organizations have been known
as Medicare HMO's. Today they are sometimes
called Medicare Plus Choice organizations.
I decided to find out more details about the
Medicare HMO plan that PacifiCare has to offer
called Secure Horizons, which I mentioned in my
last entry in Issue 80. After I found out just how
this plan was tied to Medicare, I decided that it
would be prudent for the government to strive for
a similar arrangement with other companies. Such
a plan would incur no extra cost for the
government over and above what they are already
paying out for Medicare claims. The plan works
thusly: Medicare has a formula that they use to
determine how much to pay Secure Horizons for
each Medicare recipient participating in their plan.
The formula is based on the amount that Medicare
pays out in claims in a particular region divided by
the number of Medicare recipients in that
particular region. The result of this equation is the
premium that the Health Care Financing
Administration, which is the agency that
administers Medicare, pays Secure Horizons to
totally take over a person's medical claims
including prescription drugs. Medicare is then out
of the mix except for paying the premiums. No
more or less is taken out of the Medicare
recipient's social security check for Medicare and
there are no out-of-pocket premiums due. The
only difference that Medicare recipients notice is
better coverage. A person has the option of
dropping their Secure Horizons coverage at
anytime and resuming their Medicare coverage.
Secure Horizons is offered in 15 states now,
including Texas.
The only requirement for Secure Horizons'
coverage is entitlement to Medicare Part A and
enrollment in Part B. A person cannot be refused
coverage for health reasons. Secure Horizons pays
100% of all hospital stays with no limits. There is
a $6.00 co-payment for prescription drugs with no
limitation on generic drugs and a $1500 limit each
year on brand-name formulary drugs. Doctor
visits require a $6.00 co-payment. The coverage
for running tests is 100%. Nursing home care is
paid for 100 days and home health care is
completely covered. Durable equipment such as
wheel chairs, etc., is completely covered. This plan
and most Medicare supplemental plans cover some
vision, dental, and hearing services, while
Medicare does not. This coverage is far more
extensive than Medicare's coverage and certainly
adequate enough coverage for those who cannot
afford a Medicare supplemental insurance
premium. My daughter is a Director at a
retirement village where many residents are
enrolled in Secure Horizons and are very satisfied
with their coverage.
The hidden costs for handling something as major
as what the candidates are proposing is never
mentioned, such as added paperwork and more
man-hours for government employees. Gore's plan
would require the government to function like an
insurance company. Individual claims would have
to be monitored so that they don't exceed the
limitations set forth or include brand-name drugs
that could be replaced with generic drugs. A plan
such as Secure Horizons would not generate extra
clerical work for the government, but rather serve
to cut down on paperwork and man-hours. A
Medicare supplemental insurance plan to cover
prescription drugs would also prevent extra clerical
work for the government.
Having the government pay for prescription drugs
instead of an insurance company would end up a
bureaucratic nightmare and the cost would be so
astronomical that the FICA deduction would
surely rise in the future, especially after baby
boomers hit the scene. Many doctors refuse to be
Medicare assigned doctors because they are forced
to charge less and wait longer for payments. The
pharmaceutical companies may take the same
position after a while. This is one issue that should
be handled in a bipartisan manner when it reaches
congress. Bungling this one will effect the elderly,
taxpayers, and future Medicare recipients.....in
essence, everyone. For a candidate to propose
something that will never become reality in order
to win a select group's vote, is especially sad when
that group is the elderly who may not realize that if
it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't true.
There are many people under 65 who must decide
between medication and other necessities because
they do not have health insurance. I think that
before the government gives tax credits for
childcare and college tuition, they should give a tax
credit for health insurance to those with an income
below $25,000. I think that the Earned Income
Credit should be abolished because I am sure that
many get away with fraudulently claiming the
credit at the taxpayers expense. The money
utilized for this credit would be better spent
subsidizing health insurance premiums for the
family's children rather than given in the way of a
check that can be used for a bottle of booze or
anything desired without any accountability. I
survived without a childcare credit. I survived
without a tax credit for my children's college
tuition. I may not survive without health
insurance. Making it possible for everyone to have
health insurance should come first because our
good health is more important than anything else
is. Let's hope that the Medicare issue is handled
prudently so that the wealth can be spread around
and those under 65 can also enjoy good health.
- Mary Ray Henslee (61)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Media Ownership and Test Scores
From: Steve Carson (58) SteveNitro@aol.com
For Anna Durbin (69): I agree with much of what you write.
Exceptions: "The Media is owned by Conservatives"
If that were true then the press would be supporting
the conservative view. Education: Testing is
necessary and yes Tests at Col Hi did focus me and
lock in the information taught. Our good teachers
inspired and you wanted to show well on tests.
~ ~ ~
Subj: Where is Pat Paulson When You Need Him?
From: Patty Stordahl (72) DZIGNRITE@aol.com
The older I get the less wool one can pull over my
eyes. I am of a sound mind to believe nothing I
hear from a candidate and research backgrounds. I
and my voting household are so sick of all the
deterioration of the Democrat & Republican
parties that we have decided to vote under a
protest vote. Big money elects the puppets in the
higher offices and for any American who believes
their vote other than a protest is less than savvy in
my eyes. With the computer age well into
everyone's reach we no longer need an electoral
vote. We could all mark our ballots right from
home and our own little PC's. Then the popular
vote would mean something. We just may get the
one we really want. Not just the lesser of the two
richest evils. Join me in registering a protest vote.
Whether it does much good or not at least the
more protest votes there are the more the two
major parties will have to take a serious look at the
voting public. Every one thinks there is only Bush
& Gore. Hey where is Pat Paulson when you need
him.
I vote common sense and Liberty for the
country. Can we handle the no government
freebies and handouts that overtax the middle
class? I for one am so tired of free this and free
that to all less fortunate. IF there were less
programs, there would be more pride in the
American lifestyle. If I could sit on my butt and
have the tax payers foot my bills, that may be a life
style I would get used to, but not totally like.
Free handouts breeds laziness. As a single mother
of 4 for 14 years, I always found work. Medical
bills were my responsibility as well as school
lunches and clothing. Handouts are for lazy people
and indifferent adult children who have older
parents and will not provide for the folks in their
old age. My rearing has never left an option We
take care of our own, If each family took care of
their own there would be no need for the
government to use my tax dollars to pay for
abortions, to pay for medicaid, to supliment the
homeless or drug users.
I say vote for Brown or Nader as a serious protest.
Change the vision of the Democratic &
Republican parties and bring some control back to
the people. I want my gun, my life and my old age
investing to be my decision only. Kick the
government out of homes, churches, schools, and
out of my paycheck. Charity begins at home not
with Uncle Sam stealing 38% of my wages. By the
way there are more brand new Toyota's & Honda's
and Lexus's in our Seattle suplimented housing
project parking spaces than in my entire town.
Humm I wonder how I can get a section 8 so I can
have a new car???
- Patty Stordahl (72)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Fuel Cells
From: Ron Richards (63) G1A1S1@aol.com
I couldn't believe my eyes - a positive statement
(regarding fuel cells) from Dick Epler with which I
could agree. Now I ask Dick to recognize the
possibilities for advancing the commercialization of
fuel cells through the construction of several fuel
cell distributed power facilities in the Tri-Cities as
a condition of Snake River Dam removal.
At the same time one should not sell short the
possibilities for doing the same with solar power.
Shell Oil Company is the largest producer of solar
panels in the world today. Maybe there is a
message here. AstroPower has more demand for
its solar panels than it can meet. Maybe there is
also a message here. And the examples go on.
The combination of fuel cell and solar panel
technologies will be an important part of the
development of the hydrogen cycle. The economic
development gurus in the Tri-Cities should not let
this opportunity pass. It is not too late for
Hanford to become a major player in this game.
Mitigation for any negative impacts from Snake
River Dam removal is just the ticket to jump start
this effort.
To read about a few of the interesting
developments with these technologies
(and perhaps to discover some good investments,
although perhaps not as good now as a while ago),
one should check out the Yahoo news reports for
FCEL, APWR, ENER, and BLDP. It's an
interesting world out there beyond the constraints
of atomic energy, the internal combustion engine,
and hydro power!
- Ron Richards (63)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Re: The SANDBOX Issue 79
For Dick Epler - Thanks for the history lesson.
- Steve Carson (58) (SteveNitro@aol.com
~ ~ ~
Subj: Words to Harry Potter Critics
From: Chuck Monasmith (65) msmith@owt.com
Dear Jenny Smart Page (87)
Unlike most of the persons stating opinions about
the Harry Potter books, I have read all four. The
books are fabulous tools for teaching kids right
from wrong, good from evil, how to make value
judgments and how to stand the courage of their
convictions.
Book Two, Harry Potter and The Chamber of
Secrets was especially good for teaching kids one
very specific lesson.
How can you teach examples of hatred, prejudice
and bigotry without offending at least one
oppressed group? It's easy. You show kids how
the bad guys in the story display bigotry towards
the muggles and the mudbloods. How can any
race or group of persons who has been the victim
of bigotry be offended when the lessons are taught
and passions rallied against bigotry when the
oppressed are the muggles and the mudbloods?
Harry, Ron and Hermione set an example for all
our kids (and some of us adults too) on how best
to respond in the face of bigotry.
Jenny, Please let your young reader experience the
Harry Potter series, better yet, you read it aloud to
him. Censorship of the unknown is the very worst
kind of ignorance. Teach your young reader to be
enlightened and to make judgments based on
experience and fact, not on conjecture.
I realize my letter has been pretty hard on Jenny. It
just happened her letter was the one that pushed
my button against censorship.
- Chuck Monasmith (65)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Harry Potter
FROM: Linda McKnight (65)
LMckn21142
Before anyone should voice an opinion about the
Harry Potter books, pro or con, I think those
people should read the books. While witches and
wizards sound pretty terrible, it seems we all grew
up with the Wicked Witch, the Good Witch and
the Wizard of Oz. How are these books any
different? Are there really some parents out there
whose children were forbidden from reading Alice
in Wonderland or the Wizard of Oz? Didn't good
triumph over evil?
~ ~ ~
That concludes this issue, folks. Please remember
to include your class year and MAIDEN name, (if
applicable), in all correspondence and subscription
requests.
To join in the ongoing conversations here, send your
comments to: THE_SANDBOX@bigfoot.com
Enjoy visiting THE SANDBOX archives at:
http://www.bigfoot.com/~The_Sandbox
- Al Parker (53)
Your SANDBOX host
-83-
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THE SANDBOX ~ Issue #84 ~ September 14, 2000
"A loving heart is the truest wisdom."
- Dickens
Hear Who's Talking Today~
Chuck Monasmith (65), Marc Franco (66),
Dick Epler (52), Paul Ratsch (58),
Steve Carson (58),
Let The Conversations Begin!
Subj: Texas - Smexus
From: Chuck Monasmith (65)
msmith@owt.com
Mary Lee Henslee Wrote about the cost of living
differences between Richland and Texas.
Well, Mary, I went to file://www.homefair.com/
This site can also be reached through the USA
Today home page. This site has a salary
calculator. Plug in any two cities and presto, you
get the salary difference you would need to have
the same life style. If I earned $100,000 in
Richland, (I wish) I'd have to earn $103,000 to
live in Dallas. And I don't have to put up with
Texans!
P.S. Maren, Welcome back!!
~ ~ ~
Subj: Assorted comments - including a reply to
Mary Henslee
From: Marc Franco (66)
Reply-to: mfranco@sttl.uswest.net
Well, I am back from three weeks vacation, and
have seen that nobody noticed I was gone. It's
always nice to be needed! I've read through the
Sandboxes that I've missed, and although there
were numerous very interesting comments by a
variety of people, I've already missed the boat on
those, and will confine myself to the present.
Except that I do have one question for people: It is
old news now that Dick Cheney voted against
abortion, even if the mother's life is in danger. My
question is, if anybody, especially women, resents
that. I have no quarrel at all with people who are
against abortion, as long as I don't have to agree
with it, but it strikes me as demeaning for a woman
to be told that her own life is worthless, and that of
her family, as long as she carries the child that
might kill her. But, of course, I am not a woman,
and may be reading this wrong. I know this is old
news, as I said, but I didn't have a chance earlier to
ask this.
To the present, I thought Mary Henslee in #80 had
some really nice comments. To paraphrase, she
said that she didn't think the country was as well
off economically as the administration was telling
us, and also that Gore's comments might lead to a
schism in our society. The comments about the
economy of the country were interesting, because I
have read that there are actually quite a few people
who have not participated in the stock market
surge that many other people have benefited from.
The actual rise in stocks has been limited to only a
few, and many stocks have done little or nothing.
So there really has been great wealth generated,
but only for a few people. Many others, if not
most, have not seen any real benefit. Downsizing,
another of her comments, has affected many
people, but on the other hand, it would not be fair
to ignore that unemployment has been at 4%
for a while now. There will always be dislocations
in any economy. But her comments were well-
founded. Many people have benefited in this
economy, but many have not.
Mary also made a comment which had not occurred
to me before- not exactly something new- about Al
Gore saying he represents the common people,
not the "big" people. This basically would imply
alienation of one segment of the population from
another, since if a common person rises in the
ranks, then presumably he would then be a "big"
person, and would no longer be represented by Al
Gore. I think few people would deny that such
alienation already exists, but it is true that Gore
could probably express himself so as to not
propagate such alienation. It was a very interesting
comment.
I would also like to express my disappointment in
Clinton's attempt to develop an ABM system.
There has been no evidence that this would ever
work; it is hideously expensive; it would surely
begin a new arms race (our foes in the international
arena probably have little interest in seeing
America attempt to become invulnerable); and
even our own government admits it is a violation
of the ABM treaty currently in force with Russia. I
wonder how we would react if Russia broke a
treaty with us. I am aware that Clinton finally
decided not to go ahead with it, leaving it to the
next administration to decide if it wants it (Bush,
for some reason, calls that bad leadership- much
better, apparently, to force a new administration,
which may not want the ABM, to spend the money
anyhow. even if it doesn't work.) But I am still
very disappointed that Clinton even considered
this.
- Marc Franco (66)
~ ~ ~
From: Dick Epler (52)
depler@ortelco.net
First Subject: Bob Carlson's "Not a Clinton
Lover/Apologist" Comments in Issue 82B
I hate to be critical of anything Bob writes because
he's really a neat guy (we share a lot of history and
like a lot of the same music). Regarding Clinton,
however, it seems that Bob and I are continually
repeating ourselves and I really hate that. But
maybe I've made some progress. At least Bob isn't
saying that the Clinton impeachment is all about
sex anymore. But it wasn't all about lying either.
The central impeachment issue was whether Bill
Clinton, as President of the United States, is above
the law? And if so, what other law is the President
free to ignore? Understand now, this is the
Commander In Chief of the greatest military force
in the world (not as great as a few years ago, but
still substantial). For such a leader to believe s(he)
is above the law is something that should generate
a lot of concern. In the impeachment proceedings,
the Senate refused to answer these questions.
David Shippers, the House lawyer, recently wrote
a book about the Senate's sellout. And thus the
book is appropriately named "Sell Out: The Inside
Story of President Clinton's Impeachment." It
answers a lot of questions that were only
speculation previously. Maybe these Constitutional
questions will be answered once Clinton is out of
office, but maybe not right away if Hillary gets
elected.
The impeachment was also not just about Clinton's
personal life. His pattern throughout most of his
life has been very consistent. Indeed, my guess is
that Clinton's success and behavior in public life
led him to believe he could get away with just
about anything in his private life as well. In that
sense Clinton's behavior IS directly related to his
official position as President.
We often make the observation that "power
corrupts" but that's not the case here. The Clintons
were already pretty corrupt when Bill came into
office which was what most of the early
investigations were all about. So the REALLY big
question is whether our Constitution is still
effective in preventing corruptible people from
gaining excessive power to manipulate the lives
and fortunes of the populace. That was a big
concern for the framer's. They believed a division
of power between the three branches would
counterbalance this destructive tendency, but in
those days, they couldn't know about the "fourth
branch of government" - the media - whose
interests are independent of the Constitution. The
media is primarily interested in "alliances" as
Richard Hatch of "Survivor" fame advocates. The
Republican's problem is that they're outside the
alliance. A recent poll revealed that ninety-three
percent of the media vote Democratic ... no big
surprise there.
Maybe the United States is destined to go the way
of every other great power. I hope not. But make
no mistake: It's been our Constitution that has held
us together this long. Without it, and respect for
the applicable law, history teaches we cannot long
survive.
~~~
Second Subject: A Summary
This will be my last contribution to the SANDBOX
before the election. To date I've used a lot of
words to encourage readers to ignore the message
of the media by providing some foundation for
making a rational selection between the two
candidates.
The media (and Bob) likes to tell us that political
conventions are boring and are a waste of time to
broadcast (but they televised more of the
Democrat's convention than the Republican's).
They tell us that there's really no difference
between the two candidates since the Republicans
promise the same things as the Democrats and
therefore have to be lying ... just like the
Democrats (no dispute there). But I disagree ... in
part ...
If the media doesn't like the conventions it's
because they're not a big player in that format. The
media currently prefers events with play-by-play
and color commentators much like a football
game, where the outcome goes to the "team" that
provides the most spectacular plays on a given day.
But I would suggest that voting for the leader of
the most powerful nation on earth should not be
dependent on contrived theatrics. Though both
conventions were carefully scripted the content
was important primarily for evaluating the message
consistency of the two candidates. Consistency is
indicative of a candidate with a moral rudder who
will most likely be honest with the American
people and faithful to our Constitution in
accomplishing goals.
Which leads me to the central thesis of almost
everything I have written to date: the WAY
something is done is often as important as WHAT
is done. Both candidates may promise similar
things but that doesn't mean there's no difference.
That's because the methods used by the two
candidates to accomplish their goals are key.
Bush's goals are more likely to be achieved with a
greater participation by individuals resulting in
more satisfying solutions with less government
intrusion. Gore's goals, like Clinton's, will be
achieved through centralized bureaucracies backed
by the threat of guns (the police and other
enforcement agencies ... think Waco). Generally
corrupt leaders like to force solutions that benefit
the few at the expense of the many, which,
according to the experts, is much easier to achieve
if the populace are disarmed in advance. All this
naturally results in a larger government with a
greater confiscation of the nation's wealth.
As voters, we only have to ask ourselves two
questions regarding the problems of the world and
our nation: Do we want government, and the
media, to enforce the "one single 'best' solution"
for our problems? Or do we want to be an active
and independent part of each solution as our
Constitution encouraged? I caution against
concentrating too much power in the Presidential
office, for such power can only further enable an
already corrupt leader. Also bear in mind that a
vote for "image" is a vote for media. Look beyond
the image for substance - and media ratings be
damned!
Your vote is important. Vote wisely!
- Dick Epler (52)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Questions and Answers About Texas
From: Paul Ratsch [58]
pratsch@hotmail.com
Re: The SANDBOX Issue 80
[Reply to Mary Henslee]
Can you take out a second mortgage on your home
in TEXAS?...NO
How can you save and or invest money for your
retirement if you don't make any?
Most people have to work until they drop in TEXAS.
Reason: No assets or cash flow to retire
on. Texas is a slave labor state and you know
it, admit it.
Why do so many Texans come to the state of
Washington to work? Answer: Better standard of
living.
We certainly wouldn't come to your state to
work, the way Texans treat outsiders.
Don't tell me about Texas, I have been there....
- Paul Ratsch [58]
~ ~ ~
Subj: Re: The SANDBOX Issue 81
From: Steve Carson (58)
SteveNitro@aol.com
Now Barb Seslar and I have both asked for facts
about the comment..."The conservative controlled
(owned)? media. I don't recall who made the
original comment but I believe it to be
disinformation.
For Ann Minor, serving in public office at the local
level is tough and I congratulate you.
- Steve Carson (58)
~ ~ ~
That concludes this issue, folks. Please remember
to include your class year and maiden name, (if
applicable), in all correspondence and subscription
requests. To join in the ongoing conversations
here, send your comments to:
The_Sandbox@bigfoot.com
or simply hit the reply button and talk to us! We
are the Alumni of Richland High School, Richland
Washington, AKA Columbia High School,
representing classes from 1942 through 1999.
Visit the Sandbox Archives at:
http://www.bigfoot.com/~The_Sandbox
- Al Parker (53)
Your SANDBOX Host
- 84 -
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THE SANDBOX ~ Issue #85 ~ September 16, 2000
"If any man seeks greatness, let him forget greatness
and ask for truth, and he will find both."
- Horace Mann
Hear who's talking today~
Anna Durbin '69, Jerry Swain '54),
Bob Carlson (aka Mike Clowes) '54,
Ann Minor '70, Lloyd Swain '66
Steve Carson '58, Jim Moran '86.
Let the conversations begin!
Subj: The High Cost of Elections Keeps
Good People Out of Politics
From: Anna Durbin '69
golddurb@libertynet.org
[Referring to the article, "Government By The
People Is Still Alive And Well in Simi Valley" by
Barbara Williamson AKA Jeanie Walsh (63)
in SB81]
Dear Barbara aka Jeanie:
I did not mean to insult you or any other local
official, and I am very sorry if I hurt your feelings.
You sound like the kind of person I would spend
my time working for. I am just very disgusted
with Senate and national races and how much
they cost. I still vote.
But all the money that is spent on these mindless
sound bites drives me crazy. I would never run for
office because of all the money it costs. I think it
is terrible you have to go in the hole to be a public
servant. And I hate getting the letters from losing
candidates who have to raise money to make up
their losses. It scares a lot of good people out of
politics.
I was referring to national government and not to
local. I thought I put in how the grass roots is the
only place you can have input. In my district, we
elected a new school board that stopped deferring
maintenance and did a study of what was needed,
bit the bullet and started fixing the dangerous stuff.
They are taking a lot of heat for the bond issue and
higher taxes, but I will leaflet my precinct again for
them. And I am proud that my daughter who went
off to college and turns eighteen two weeks before
the national election registered to vote and applied
for an absentee ballot before she went. In one
election, she agreed to make calls on election day
to remind people to vote, while we were working
the precinct, and we got a majority of the school
board by about 30 votes. I think she made thirty
calls. She didn't reach them all, but she had a big
part in it. I do give my money to local candidates.
We elected a new congressman last time by 85
votes. We walked the precincts. My family put up
a campaign volunteer from out of town in our
spare room for a month. But huge money is
coming in to the campaign from out of state this
time. I don't have an extra thousand to put up with
college tuition, but I will put up another campaign
worker and walk the precincts.
The point I was trying to make is that elections cost
way too much. People should be able to make a
living and be public servants and be paid for it.
They should not have to send out a letter two
weeks after they are elected asking for money to
be reelected and then spend a huge amount of
their time calling people for money and going to
fundraisers so they can pay media bills. Why do
we have so many millionaires in Congress? They
are the only people who can afford it. And they
forget what the lives of the people you work to
help are like. (If they ever knew.)
Apathy is our greatest enemy. When our country is
controlled by 20% who are narrow, special interest
voters, we may stop being a democracy because so
few people vote.
- Anna Durbin '69
~ ~ ~
Subj: Flying uncamouflaged and "Don't Mess With
Texas"
From: Jerry Swain (54)
Reply-to: jmswain@home.com
To: The_Sandbox@bigfoot.com
Note to David Henderson (60):
As a pilot who flew a load of fuel in an
uncamouflaged KC-135 to within visual range of
Hanoi to help out Lt. Col. Robby Risner in his
crippled F-105 so he could get back to Korat,
Thailand, I can relate to a pilot who would fly a
colorful B-17 deep into Germany with a load of
bombs in a formation of B-17s. The effectiveness
of the formations of B-17s in defending against
German fighters was well known during the
German bombing campaigns. In Viet Nam, Lt. Col.
Risner and I had seven F-105s on our wing as we
pumped fuel into his battle damaged F-105 at
24,000 feet on our way back to Korat. Strength in
numbers...!
Note to Mary (Ray) Henslee (61):
Right on Texan! Every point in your well written
Sandbox letter should be forwarded to the Gore
camp telling them not to mess with Texas (or the
USA).
-Jerry Swain (54)
Another WASHINGTON business advocate for
Bush!
~ ~ ~
Subj: Budget Surpluses and Deficits
From: Bob Carlson (aka Mike Clowes) '54
bobs@proaxis.com
Once again Dick Epler, '52, has given us an erudite
commentary on the financial situation of the
nation. And, for once I agree with him. I just
think he could have used fewer words to say what
one man's surplus is another man's deficit. It just
depends on which side of the political fence you
are sitting
For those of you who would rather straddle that
fence, I'm afraid all you get is chaffing in places
you don't want to tell your children about. Or
perhaps the Mugwump Party has reappeared.
It seems that neither major political party has
grasped a basic economic premise that income
should exceed expenditures in order to maintain a
certain amount of financial growth. It has been
stated more than once that if a business were run
the same way government is, it would go out of
business in a short while. What the pundits forget
is that government has the power to print the
money it spends, and business does not.
This is not to say that this is the reason Johnson's
"Great Society" failed. Guns and butter don't mix,
especially if the "guns" part is the most unpopular
armed conflict this nation entered. And the rest of
it was beginning to sound like a "socialist utopia,"
which is also frightening to most Americans.
No matter what many say, the basic American ethic
is "I got mine and you don't get any (unless I get a
good tax break)!" A president went out of his
way to clarify how we should help one another,
and even other nations. But, we as a people, don't
really want to. Not that this a bad thing, it's just
too self centered.
The nation has tried to institute different ideals for
the betterment of all citizens. The failure of these
schemes has not been in the idea, but in the
bureaucracy that was established to make the
program function. Social Security, Medicare,
Medicaid and countless other good intentions
would possibly function much more efficiently if
the bureaucracies that run them had a positive
rather than a negative function.
Did you ever wonder why you can't get simple
tasks taken care of by these people? Their rules
don't permit it. And, unfortunately, they are the
ones who make the rules, even if other rules
prohibit such actions. This applies to all
governmental functions from the lowest level
upward.
Well, that's my opinion, and I'm entitled to it.
Bob Carlson (aka Mike Clowes) '54
~ ~ ~
Subj: Termination, Potter, Medicare, the Rapture
From: Ann Minor '70
Reply-to: weaselmthr@ncidata.com (Ann)
Termination: Oh s--t, put my foot in it again, in it?
By "termination" I did NOT mean terminating all
tribal members (although I think there may be a
few who wish to terminate me)! Termination is a
political term that refers to ending a tribe's status
with the US government and therefore ending their
eligibility for entitlements. There are at times a
significant number of tribal members around here
who support the concept. The thinking is that
handouts enforce dependency and destroy
initiative. It is seen by some tribal members as a
way to continue the domination of tribes by the
white culture in that it tends to foster a continual
state of dependency. I apologize for any
misunderstanding, although it is still true that as
David Allen Coe said (speaking of Texans)! "My
long hair just can't cover up my red neck..."
Harry Potter: read em, loved em. Not advocating
necessarily placing them on school required reading
lists, although I certainly wouldn't object to it. I do
most fervently object to anyone else telling me
what I must or must not read, or allow my children
to read It is first amendment, folks. If one is
looking for Christian writing, by the way I would
strongly recommend The Lion, The Witch, and the
Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis...oops there is that W
word again. Now tell me. will anyone out there
tell me that C.S. wasn't a Christian?
The Rapture: Liked the book? You might love the
movie! And while reading and to a lesser extent
movie watching I am fairly liberal about with my
kids, I sure am not going to let them watch it for a
few more years.
Medicare: I have worked in hospitals too long to
have any illusions about the adequacy of Medicare.
I have worked in discharge planning and in
Utilization Review within the last year, and it is
frightening. Even with a "good" supplement (and
by the way there is only one supplement available
in Eastern Washington at this time. (And it isn't
good) it is expected that a person will come in for
a knee replacement and be out the door in three
days. Sometimes yes, but if not some are faced
with private pay at $800 per Day, exclusive of
medications. Speaking of medications, I take
several. One of them costs $400 per month, for
arthritis. I was on a gall bladder med that was over
$800 per month. many of the new cholesterol
drugs can cost that much, as can new
antihypertensives and antiarrythmics. I suggest
anyone who thinks prescriptions are not a problem
for fixed income seniors spend a few hours at their
local pharmacy, and ask seniors about the costs of
their medications. And hello! what on earth is the
point of a tax break if you don't make enough to
pay taxes???
Governors race: how bout it, WA State residents?
Who do you support, and why?
Take care all, am hoping for many earnest
responses
- Ann Minor '70
~ ~ ~
Subj: Opening Scene, Sitcom: "99352"
From: Lloyd Swain "66"
Lswain6680@aol.com
Hey.. I really like the idea of a "99352" Sitcom....
How about the beginning where the lead male is
working in some large canyon building.. not
knowing of course what he is doing... all of this to
some great big band music theme.. The whistle
blows... and he punches the time clock and heads
right out into a "termination wind"..... oh great...
he can't find the bus.... because there is too much
dust... Cut to mom frantically pulling brown sheets
of the clothesline... ones of course that have not
blown away.... the kids of course are playing in all
of this... they are brown now too...
Dad finally makes it home.. wife cooking... kids
washed up and come down to dinner,... in the
small prefab dining room... they say grace and
blow the dust off the table... Dan sneezes.. they all
laugh and dig in... How about that for an intro?
Lloyd Swain "66" (achoo!!!)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Re: The SANDBOX Issue 82B
From: Steve Carson '58
Dick Epler, WELL SAID!!
~ ~ ~
Subj: If This Were a Perfect World
From: Jim Moran '86
jpmoran@cyberhighway.net (James Moran)
In reply to Patty Stordahl comment about how
charity begins at home.... you know if we all lived
in the perfect world, this would be great!! But the
truth of the matter is we all do not have a wealthy
uncle or aunt, or a large family to support us in
times of troubles. Without getting in to details, my
family, when I was very young, experienced a
situation where we were finically destroyed in the
early 1970's. My family just moved to the great
city of Richland, where we had no support
network. The only agency which helped us was
the government. I'm I proud of this? Hell no, but I
know there are people just like me who need this
type of help today, like my family needed help
then. Are there people who are abusing the
system? Unfortunate yes, but does this mean you
destroy the system because of a few bad people?
No. However, if you take that mentality, then let's
destroy all corrupt corporations who lie to their
customers about their defective products, or
the CEO who receives a million dollar retirement,
then runs for a national public office. In short, I
see the need of the greater good outweighing the
greedy few. In the perfect world, we would not
need any government assistance (or government
for that matter ), but this IS NOT THE PERFECT
WORLD.
Also, it always amazed how anybody who lives in
the Tri-Cities could ever say with a straight face
that they live a self sufficient life without
government assistance. Uh, HELLO, the economy
of this area is tied directly to FEDERAL FUNDING...
You know, big bad government, aka,
TAX MONEY. All tied to the big DOE (which I
have heard is expected to increase). So, when it
comes to pushing up to the federal pork barrel, the
people of Hanford and the Tri-Cities have received
their far share.
- Jim Moran 86
~ ~ ~
That concludes this issue, folks. Please remember
to include your class year and maiden name, (if
applicable), in all correspondence and subscription
requests. To join in the ongoing conversations
here, send your comments to:
The_Sandbox@bigfoot.com
or simply hit the reply button and talk to us! We
are the Alumni of Richland High School, Richland
Washington, AKA Columbia High School,
representing classes from 1942 through 1999.
Visit the Sandbox Archives at:
http://www.bigfoot.com/~The_Sandbox
- Al Parker (53)
Your SANDBOX Host
- 85 -
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THE SANDBOX ~ Issue #86 ~ September 17, 2000
"They who disbelieve in virtue because man has
never been found perfect, might as reasonably
deny the sun because it is not always noon."
- Hare
Hear who's talking today:
Mina Jo Gerry Payson (68) Dave Doran `72
Lloyd Swain "66", Brad Wear 71,
Barbara Seslar (60), Steve Carson, 58
Let the conversations begin!
Subj: The Bad Guy Gets It In The End
by Mina Jo Gerry Payson (68)
payson4@owt.com
I haven't logged in to the Sandbox for quite a while,
but I do want to put my two cents worth in about
Harry Potter. I have read the first three books of
the series, borrowed from an adult friend, and
am waiting for her family to get through book
four. Of course, it is the choice of parents what
their children read. I have always been very liberal
as far as that is concerned. I did make it a point to
read along with my children when they were
younger. My daughter was enamored with Sweet
Valley High and the Baby-sitters Club series. I
read those until I couldn't take it any more. One
mother asked my opinion of the Sweet Valley
series because she felt that her daughter was too
young to be reading such "mature" material. My
reply was that there was nothing I objected to for
my fifth grader and the "bad" characters always
lost in the end. We always made a habit of
reading before bed for about 20 to 30 minutes.
We read a range from Beezus and Ramona stories
to classics like Treasure Island. My children and I
always discussed what they were reading at home
or at school. That carries through to today when
we recommend books to each other and enjoy the
discussions that ensue from reading common
books. I don't think it matters what your children
read as long as reading is encouraged and they see
their parents reading for pleasure at home. So
what does this all have to do with Harry Potter?
The bad guy gets it in the end!
- Mina Jo Gerry Payson (68)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Re: The SANDBOX Issue 84
From: Dave Doran `72
Salt4385@aol.com
As a new subscriber to the Sandbox I suppose I
should just observe for a bit but I can't help but
comment on a few of the views in Issue 84.
I'm not a Clinton apologist but, really, he was
corrupt when he took office? I may have missed
some breaking news but didn't Ken Starr fritter
away $100 million or so and come up with a big
nothing save for the sex thing? Of course it was
stupid to lie about it but certainly no worse than
some of the stupid and illegal things Presidents
have been doing forever. The Contras, Watergate,
Irangate and Reagan's own Star Wars all best
Clinton on my stupid list. And the last time I
looked there were many more than two candidates
for Presidential office although I agree that with
our present system they have a collective fat
chance.
I enjoyed the comments on the stock market
because, of course, hindsight is always perfect. A
great many stocks have done well and anyone with
a few hundred dollars to save could have picked up
double digit returns in any one of a number of
mutual funds. The economy has been genuinely
good for anyone who works, saves or borrows
unless they were stuck in a menial job or put their
savings in a bank account.
My biggest peeve is reserved for that traffic cop
of the almighty dollar, Alan Greenspan. I can't
believe that anyone as myopic as a single man
should wield the power that he does. He wants to
slow the economy to prevent 'inflation' and, like
anyone who is single-minded, he does it without
regard as to the larger consequences like people
losing their jobs and not being able to buy homes
and of course he is wealthy enough to be largely
unaffected. Our economy has an unemployment
factor built into it thanks to Mr. Greenspan who
believes that, if too many people have jobs, then
employers will lose their leverage to fire at will and
the competition for workers will raise their payroll
costs. How about a 'rising tide lifting all the boats'
theory straight from Ron Reagan himself except
some boats must be left in the mud so one can tell
that theirs has risen.
-Dave Doran `72
~ ~ ~
Subj: If It Were Not For Us...
Re: The SANDBOX Issue 82B
From: Lloyd Swain "66"
Lswain6680
WOW>. where is Pat Paulson when we need
him?..... I don't know about the rest of you..... but I
am going out to vote... and hope to hell I get it
right this time...... I love all your editorials.. some
are just too long to read....mainly because my short
attention span and the fact that I don't get here
much... But really... We all need to hold our
elected officials to task... when we are not too
busy working.. taking care of a family....and doing
yardwork.... and helping this robust economy
grow... and we are the ones you know.....that
make all of this work..... We're the Boomers... and
if it weren't for us ... well ... it would be a lot
different...
- Lloyd Swain "66"
~ ~ ~
Subj: Doing Great In Texas
From: Brad Wear 71
Wear90@aol.com
To Paul Ratsch 58:
Paul,
I don't know what decade you were in Texas, but
you need to come into the 21st century. Yes, you
can have a second mortgage on your home in
Texas. Years ago they were not allowed, primarily
due to the "Homestead Act" that reduced the tax
valuation of your property. Home equity loans are
a common albeit risky practice for several years
now.
Take a look at any salary rating matrix and Texas is
up towards the top. Primarily due to the "High
Tech" industries that are located in Dallas, Austin,
and San Antonio. The salary levels would be even
higher if we didn't have the Illegal Alien issue to
deal with. Contrary to popular belief we live in
modern homes, have 401K's IRA's, and corporate
retirement accounts. Most companies even have
stock purchase plans. Texas and Washington are
really closely tied in their economies and their
industries. I have met countless people here who
have lived in Washington, even Richland to be
specific, that work on some of the nuclear
facilities. Seems like no one can get the running of
these facilities right, (Commanche Peak, South
Texas Project here), Hanford up there. There
seems to be a heavy cross pollination of workers
from Texas and Washington. It's also quite
common in the aircraft industry. Big B has plants
here, and partners with several of the other local
big manufactures. Quite a few Washington Stater's
have matriculated down here when the industry
slowed up there, and Texans have gone up there
when it slowed here. Amazing how that works.
Most of the local work slow downs occur when
the unions get involved and force a closure of one
plant or the other. Texas welcomes most
outsiders, just look at the list of fastest growing
cities. Texas has three of the top four. If we're
such a bad place to live why are so many people
coming here?
To Chuck Monasmith 65:
Richland Vs Dallas
Chuck, I lived in Dallas for several years and would
rather die a day sooner than live IN Dallas. The
taxes are excessive, they have one of the worst
education systems in the state. Perpetuated by the
Texas Education Association (TEA) the state
education union, the local board, half of which
can't or won't speak in full sentences. They've had
four Superintendents in the last five years. One
resigned after a long tenure, one sent to prison for
embezzlement, one fired after eight mos., and two
interim's that would not take the job due to the
board. Salary $260K, nice chunk of change. The
boards first question, as well as the local
communities, when they announce a candidate is
"What Color is he?" I find that interesting, What
should it matter? Dallas is one of the last bastions
of Democratic dominance in Texas. They are also
the highest Taxed, highest enrollment in Welfare,
lowest scores on the TAAS tests, second highest
school enrollment where English is a second
language. Now flip that to the city where my
youngest son goes to school. Plano, when I
moved here 22 years ago it was a sleepy little town
of 37,000. This years census puts it at 385,000.
They have the highest scores in the state on SAT,
TAAS, ACT, the most scholarships awarded,
(nation wide), and the most graduates that receive
IB or AP certificates. We've also voted some of
the biggest bond issues dedicated to Information
Technology and High Tech infrastructure in the
schools. All schools are networked with fiber
optics, pentium III's and the latest software. My
son had CNC training in 8th grade. In 4th grade
he had his own PC at his desk that was state of the
art, and it's only gotten better. Local control is the
reason. We would be even better if Ann Richards
(Ma' Richards) hadn't passed the "Robin Hood"
amendment. Take funds from the wealthiest
school districts and give to the poor. The concept
is fine, but when the TEA fights accountability and
poor schools pay the brother of the superintendent
or some other relative millions for the same job
over and over again "what's wrong with this
picture?"
I'd move back to Richland, it's still home, in a
heartbeat, if there were jobs there that could meet
the income I'm earning now. Will I move back
some time? You bet, I love it there. But for now I
like it here in TEXAS.
Ya'll come down, ya hear.
- Brad Wear 71
~ ~ ~
Subj: Comments about Issue 84
From: Barbara Seslar (60)
radman@gte.net
Re: Dick Epler (52) comments re: Bob Carlson's
"Not a Clinton Lover/Apologist" Comments in
Issue 82B
I appreciate your well-thought out comments.
Thank you for expressing them.
- Barbara Seslar (60)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Re: The SANDBOX Issue 84
From: Steve Carson
SteveNitro@aol.com
For Paul Ratsch (58)
Paul, when we first started talking in the Sandbox it
was about your low opinion of Texas. Then I
thought it was because your union people had been
painting an unfair picture of the state because of
the "Right to Work" issue. Today I am not sure
what is under your saddle but Texas is a cool state.
Are some of the people a little "proud" yes and
that would be their loss. Relax a little Paul. There
are good people and less good people everywhere.
Let's focus on the issues that will impact us and
take the time to become fully informed. I can't
wait to have a couple of beers with you and hope it
is soon.
- Steve Carson 58
~ ~ ~
That concludes this issue, folks. Please remember
to include your class year and maiden name, (if
applicable), in all correspondence and subscription
requests. To join in the ongoing conversations
here, send your comments to:
The_Sandbox@bigfoot.com
or simply hit the reply button and talk to us! We
are the Alumni of Richland High School, Richland
Washington, AKA Columbia High School,
representing classes from 1942 through 1999.
Visit the Sandbox Archives at:
http://www.bigfoot.com/~The_Sandbox
- Al Parker (53)
Your SANDBOX Host
-86-
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********************************************
THE SANDBOX ~ Issue #87 ~ September 18, 2000
"Measure not life by the hopes and enjoyments of
this world, but by the preparation it makes for another;
looking forward to what you shall be rather than
backward to what you have been."
-Tieck
Let's hear who's talking today~
Mary Ray Henslee (61), Paul Ratsch [58]
Bob Carlson (Mike Clowes) '54,
Janie O'Neal (65), Gene Trosper (84wb)
Let The Conversations begin!
Subj: More Rhetoric Comments
From: Mary Ray Henslee (61)
Mah@satx.net
Sorry guys, but I feel compelled to come to my
defense and the defense of other Texas transplants
against less than accurate statements.
Chuck Monasmith (65), I think that it is only fair to
compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges.
When you compare Dallas, our highest
cost-of-living city, to Seattle, which is probably
Washington's highest cost-of-living city, the figures
are a little more credible. If you make $100,000 in
Dallas, you would have to make $132,580 in
Seattle to own and $110,476 to rent. Richland is
probably not the best example because I am going
to guess that most of the homes are probably the
original homes built by Hanford compared to much
finer homes in Dallas. You are also comparing a
small town to a large Metropolitan area.
Paul Ratsch (58), Texas fought Home Equity Loans
(second mortgages) for sometime because of the
pitfalls. These loans make it far too easy for
people to overextend themselves and lose their
homes. You will need to update your Texas
bashing checklist because the Banks won out and
Texas is now allowed to offer Home Equity Loans,
which has been the case for quite a while now. As
for your other comments, I will leave those for
someone else to comment on because you lost me
somewhere between slave labor and the dismal
retirement we can expect.
Texas is no different from most places. There are
good people and bad people everywhere. Texas
has always been famous for its friendliness. If your
opinions of Texas are based on your political
views, just remember that Governor Bush has not
run Texas for its entire history and like many
elected officials has inherited some problems from
his predecessors.
I do think Bush is very much for fairness and is not
afraid to speak up against injustices. He was not
afraid to speak up against the outrageous fees that
Attorney's were receiving from the tobacco
settlements. He is not afraid to take the most
sensible approach to the Prescription Drug issue at
the risk of appearing to have a less effective plan
than Gore because Gore is pledging more
government money. I read an article where
someone suggested that Bush concentrate on
education and forget about prescription drugs
because Gore plans to spend the most so he will be
seen as wanting to do the most for the elderly.
Maybe Bush goes shopping with his wife more
often so he knows that you can get the same
product for less if you know where to shop. Bush
just needs to really concentrate on spelling out
how his plan will not only offer prescription drugs,
but more extensive coverage in other areas of
health care as well and why it is possible for his
plan to be more cost effective without
shortchanging the elderly.
Study the issues and vote wisely for your sake and
that of your family.
= Mary Ray Henslee (61) =
~ ~ ~
Subj: Much Ado About Nothing
From: Bob Carlson (Mike Clowes) '54
bobs@proaxis.com
As a former "forced" resident of the state of Texas,
I must agree with most of the derogatory remarks
about that place made both here and in "The
Sandstorm." The only thing I found "cheap" about
the place were the price of gas, and the politicians.
I remember a story about "Landslide" Lyndon
that made the rounds shortly after he was elected
to Congress.
One of the campaign workers came across a small
boy sitting on the sidewalk crying his heart out.
"What's wrong, son?" asked the worker.
"My father did not come to see me yesterday day,"
sobbed the little boy.
"But your father is dead," answered the worker.
"I know," the little boy replied, "but he came and
voted for Mr. Johnson."
Mary Ray Henslee speaks of Medicare and
Medicaid, and she very politely reminds us that
there is "no free lunch." Even such programs as
Medicare cost money, and the primary burden is
on the tax payer. And believe or not, even the
"nicest" HMO is in business to make a profit.
On conservatives controlling the media, they don't.
On the other hand, the ownership of movie and
television studios, and radio and television
stations lie in the hands of persons of a fiscally
conservative nature. Some refer to them as
"bottom liners" (or is it feeders). To a certain
degree, they may be politically conservative. So as
a very broad statement, the media is owned by
conservatives.
My erudite colleague, Mr. Richard Epler, RHS '52,
has again succinctly stated a case for being
involved in politics, even if both candidates make
watching grass grow more exciting. And now that
Mr. Gush has firmly planted his foot in his mouth,
can it be too much longer before Mr. Bore
does likewise.
And, Dick, I guess what I meant to say is that most
Libertarians are too smart to get involved in
campaigning for national offices (which as we all
know cost too much money).
But then I am reminded of a philosophy prevalent
in Chicago during the reign of Mayor Richard the
First: "Come early and vote often for the
candidate of our choice."
And for those of you who are wont to condemn
books on the word of an "expert," please, please,
take the time to find out two things.
1.) What is the agenda of this "expert"
2.) Read the book before making up your mind.
I, personally, don't read Stephen King, Judith Kranz
and some other authors, basically because of the
genre in which they write, but I do not tell others
they should not read these books. I may look
askance at them, but that's as far as I will go.
Besides there are better authors out there.
And that's my opinion and I'm entitled to it.
= Bob Carlson (Mike Clowes) '54 =
~ ~ ~
Subject: Harry Potter
From: Janie O'Neal (65)
jjanssen@onlinemac.com (Janie Janssen)
O.K. Here's my two cents. I also read the Harry
Potter books with my grandson. And also I found
them every fascinating, it was a very good
opportunity to talk to him about allot of issues.
Although there are allot of things about Harry
Potter I personally do not agree with, it has
become a very useful tool. It has helped show my
grandson not to take everything at face value, to
look beneath the first message. I find this topic
concerning to me because of a resent survey I was
involved in through our church. We went to down
town Portland, set up an area to look like a
television crew and did interviews with teenagers
while taping them. The first question we asked
was who they thought Jesus was. The answers we
got nearly broke my heart. One girl said, "Well, I
think he was someone's grandfather who did really
nice things and everyone just got carried away
after he died." Another question: "Do you believe
in God?" Two girls dressed all in black responded
to this question, "Of course we believe in God but
we're on the other side." When asked if they
weren't afraid of the devil they said, "No we made
a pack and when we get to hell we'll be his
helpers." One boy responded, "Yes, and I used to
go to church but when my parents got a divorce
we stopped going." Then he broke down
crying. Then we ran into the Good Witch, who
only cast good spells on people, unless they
weren't nice to her. I have worked al lot with kids
over the past 35 yrs, ranging in age nursery
through high school and the thing that bothers me
is they are the most confused group of children I've
ever seen. When we were growing up, right was
right and wrong was wrong. We knew exactly
where our boundaries were and we knew when we
crossed over them. Few children of today have
those guidelines, there are too many gray areas.
Harry Potter is not a worry to me. It's what you
do with it. Is there such a thing as a good witch?
Is witchcraft something we want our children
experimenting with? I say No! And I'm sure almost
everyone agrees with me. I strongly feel the only
hope for our future generation is that every
grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, mom and dad
commit to handing down some of the good old
Christian morals and values we all grew up with.
And take those kids to church. Let them get
involved, make relationship that enrich there lives.
I've seen to many kids on the streets aimlessly
wondering around trying to make since out of life.
Well, I'll climb down off my soap box now, but if
you could have seen some the things I've seen
over the years concerning children, it would break
your heart.
= Janie O'Neal (65) =
~ ~ ~
Subj: If Bush and Cheney Get In
From: Paul Ratsch [58]
Pratsch@hotmail.com
How Much Are You Willing to Pay for Gas, oil, or
Natural Gas!
If Bush & Cheney Get In, you Will Really Get
Hammered. These Guys Are Ex. Big Oil
Executives. Cheney Was the CEO for Halliburton,
One of the Biggest Slave Labor Companies In the
Country, don't Believe Me, Ck. It Out.
= Paul Ratsch [58] =
~ ~ ~
Subj: Reply to Jim Moran
From: Gene Trosper (84wb)
Reply-to: gtrosper@ez2.net
Jim Moran writes:
>In short, I see the need of the greater good
outweighing the greedy few. In the perfect world,
we would not need any >government assistance
(or government for that matter ), but this IS NOT
THE PERFECT WORLD.
You are exactly right...this is NOT a perfect world.
Outcomes in life are NOT guaranteed. It's a sad,
but very hard truth. This is an excellent reason
why we should try to limit the size of government
and it's constant attempt at creating an equitable
society.
What exactly is the "greater good"? Does the need
of one person automatically assign an obligation
upon others?
Do you have the right to force your neighbors to
contribute to your cause, (hunger, poverty,
environmentalism), simply because you think it is
just? Is it any more legitimate for a group of
people to undertake the cause for you and force
everyone to "donate"?
You speak of weighing the greater good versus the
"greedy few". Does resistance or reluctance to
government funding make one greedy? I don't
think so. Those you want to brand as greedy come
from all walks of life...some rich, some poor. Some
black, some white. People on fixed or low incomes
are hit just as hard (if not harder) through increased
taxation. Is it fair to force a widow to pay more in
taxes because a vocal group of people demand
government funding for their own pet project or cause?
I use the word "force" quite often in this response
simply because it's the truth. The government
doesn't ask every citizen each year kindly if they
would like to pay some income taxes...neither do
they suggest you pay taxes. They FORCE you to
pay taxes. If you don't pay, they threaten you. If
you ignore their threats, they freeze your assets
and seize your property. If you resist the seizure of
your home, they will come to arrest you. Further
resistance will be dealt with physical harm or
death.
Kind and compassionate government? I will let you
decide.
If someone wants to throw the word "greedy"
around, let's first look to those who constantly call
for government funding of their pet projects and
causes. It's much more greedy to use the armed
might of our government to force people to pay
more in taxes to satisfy the desires of "do-gooder"
individuals and organizations.
I pay my taxes...simply because I don't want my
home ripped from under me and my daughter to
suffer from the "compassion" of others. Neither do
I wish to die because of it. I sincerely believe
many, many other people pay not because of
patriotism, fair play or benevolence. They do so to
simply escape the further wrath of Uncle Sam. It's
not fun to have a significant portion of your
hard-earned income extracted from your wallet
every April 15.
I'm not anti-government. I'm pro-government. But I
do believe our government MUST be limited much
more than it is now.
= Gene Trosper (84wb) =
~ ~ ~
That concludes this issue, folks. Please remember
to include your class year and maiden name, (if
applicable), in all correspondence and subscription
requests. To join in the ongoing conversations
here, send your comments to:
The_Sandbox@bigfoot.com
or simply hit the reply button and talk to us! We
are the Alumni of Richland High School, Richland
Washington, AKA Columbia High School,
representing classes from 1942 through 1999.
Visit the Sandbox Archives at:
http://www.bigfoot.com/~The_Sandbox
- Al Parker (53)
Your SANDBOX Host
-87-
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********************************************
THE SANDBOX ~ Issue #88 ~ September 19, 2000
"Fly no opinion becase it is new,
but strictly search,
and after careful view,
reject it if false,
embrace it if ‘tis true.
--Lucretius.
Let's hear who's talking today~
Mary Ray Henslee (61), Steve Carson (58)
Bob Carlson (Mike Clowes) '54,
Jenny (Smart) Page 87
Let the conversations begin!
Medicare Reform
From: Mary Ray Henslee (61)
Mah@satx.net
Moderator's Question: Which Medicare Plan
Would You Prefer?
I have been doing a lot of sounding off lately about
the Prescription Drug issue and it just occurred to
me that some of you may have missed the article in
your local newspaper detailing Gore and
plans or perhaps it never appeared in your
newspaper. It is always better to make informed
choices so I am taking this opportunity to share the
two plans with you. According to the newspaper,
Bush's plan essentially builds on the expansion of
managed care in Medicare that was required by the
balanced budget act of 1997. It is modeled after
the health plan that is now offered to federal
workers whereby people are allowed to choose
from a select group of insurance plans. Gore's plan
solely relies on government funding without any
relief from insurance companies. Compare and
come to your own conclusions.
HOW PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS
COMPARE
OUTLINE
Bush: Elderly would have the option of using a
subsidy paid by Medicare to purchase a private
insurance plan containing a prescription drug
benefit. Each private plan would determine extent
of coverage.
Gore: Elderly would have the option of enrolling in
a Medicare prescription drug program similar to
the Part B program that covers doctors' bills.
Medicare would pay half of prescription drug
costs, up to $5,000 annually.
ELIGIBILITY
Elderly with income at or below 135 percent of the
federal poverty level ($11,300 for individuals,
$15,200 for a couple):
Bush: Free premiums for Medicare coverage,
including prescription drugs.
Gore: Free premiums and cost-sharing for
Medicare coverage, including prescription drugs.
Elderly with income above 135 percent of the
federal poverty level:
Bush: Subsidy covers drugs for those with incomes
of up to 175 percent of the poverty level ($14,600
for individuals, $19,700 per couple). Subsidy
declines as income rises toward the 175 percent
mark. All seniors with income above 175 percent
of poverty receive a 25 percent subsidy for drug
coverage.
Gore: Subsidy covers drugs for elderly with
incomes between 135 percent and 150 percent of
poverty level. Subsidy declines as income rises
from the 135 percent level to 150 percent.
CASTASTROPHIC COVERAGE
Bush: Medicare covers out-of-pocket medical
costs exceeding $6,000.
Gore: Medicare covers out-of-pocket prescription
drug costs exceeding $4,000.
EFFECTIVE DATE (IF PASSED BY
CONGRESS)
Bush: 2001
Gore: Begins 2002, fully implemented 2008.
- Mary Ray Henslee (61)
~ ~ ~
Subj: The Plane Truth About Camouflage
From: Bob Carlson (Mike Clowes) '54
bobsown1@hotmail
For Jerry Swain '54
Good to hear from a fellow classmate.
I think more for financial reasons, rather than
tactical, paint was removed from most Army Air
Force planes during WWII. Some bean counter in
the Pentagon probably figured out that they could
save a whopping $1.98 on the cost of each B-17.
As for your situation at 24000 near Hanoi, I
don't think a camouflage paint job would have
helped much, unless it was radar suppressing.
The Navy, on the other hand, took the gaudy
yellow paint off the wings of their planes right
around the time of Pearl Harbour, and painted the
planes in varying shades of blue.
Someone, much smarter than either of us,
thought more of the pilot's psychological well
being; and said that a camoflage paint job would
make the pilot think he was invisible.
But, as I recall, the Air Force kept the
unpainted aluminium scheme until into the Vietnam
fracas, when the "BUFF's" got black paint, and
some of the other's when back to the olive drab.
The black was to reduce visibility from the ground
during night raids (also used in WWII). I haven't
figured out why the o.d. paint on a fighter plane.
Unless it was to foil "Charlie's" spy satellite photo's
while they were parked at Tan Son Nuit or Da
Nang.
At any rate, your in-flight refueling was
probably much more exciting than the fellow
racing down the runway in a '35 Ford pickup
trying to keep up with a Curtis Jenny (Smart)
Page while the guy in the bed was pumping
madly on a hand pump to get fuel from a 55 gallon
drum to the airplane. In either event, my hat's off
to you for doing the job you did.
Well, that's my opinion and I'm welcome to it.
= Bob Carlson (Mike Clowes) '54 =
~ ~ ~
Subj: Harry Potter
From: Jenny (Smart) Page (87)
Reply-to: jpage@gocougs.wsu.edu
I'm a few days behind in reading the entries, so
forgive me for not responding immediately to
Chuck Monasmith, and the others who commented
on my original statements. And, Chuck, just to let
you know, I didn't think you were being too hard
on me. Actually, all you did was set me firmer in
my beliefs on Harry Potter (read: you pushed my
buttons too).
It has been stated that without having read the
Harry Potter books, that one is not in a position to
comment on them. Following that train of thought,
that means that because I don't listen to Marilyn
Manson and Enimen (sp?), I can't call their music
garbage and hateful; and because I've never had an
abortion, I'm not qualified to say that its the
murder of an unborn child; and because I've never
smoked dope or shot something into my veins, I'm
not able to say that drugs are a bad thing to do;
and because I've never had skin cancer, I'm not
capable of knowing that laying out in the Tri-City
summer sun is harmful??? Sorry, folks, that logic
doesn't float with me. I believe I am able to look
at a synopsis of a book, or movie, or whatever,
and listen to what others have to say about it, and
make a judgment about how it fits with my moral
standards.
We live in a different world today than we did from
even when I was a kid. Things are not interpreted
the way they used to be, and what once was safe
and fun now is not. As an example, how many of
you walked to school every day? Or stayed out
hanging on a street corner after the football game?
Or rode your bike across town to a friend's house,
and then went to some field in the neighborhood to
burn up ants with a magnifying glass, being told
only to be home when the streetlights came on? I
did...my friends all did...and now today, I don't
know a single parent who would let their kids do
the things we did. And you know why? Because
its a different world we're living in --- even right
here in the middle of no-where-southeast-Washington.
There's too many wackos out there, and they're all
masquerading as "okay-people".
So, here's how I see it with Harry Potter. Just as I
wouldn't tolerate my kids smoking a joint or a
cigarette (after all, they are gateway drugs), or
taking a nip from the grandfather's beer (if he were
to drink), or for my daughter to be dressed like a
whore when she leaves the house (all in the name
of "fashion" and the "latest craze"), I won't tolerate
my kids reading something that I think is offensive
on many different levels. Like I said in my original
statement, I don't think Harry Potter books alone
are going to turn every kid to witchcraft. But, it
may very easily be the first stepfor some -- but not
my kids.
Again, let me give a shameless plug for an
alternative, for those of you who may be looking
for something different, and yet still a quick read
for you and your kids. Go read the Left Behind
series by Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins (they're in
the Richland Public Library, at the books stores,
and even at Costco for less than $8 a book). Good
versus evil (as in Christ vs. the anti-christ); lessons
about lying and deceit, making payment for past
wrong actions....all those supposed lessons that are
to be learned from Harry Potter. Except this time,
it truly is the good guys who win.
Am I telling you that YOU can't read the Harry
Potter books? No. Go ahead. And, like the
bumper sticker I saw the other day says, "If you're
living your life like there is no God, you'd better
hope you're right."
Standing firm with my original opinion,
Jenny (Smart) Page
Class of '87
~ ~ ~
Subj: Unemployment Factor Misread
From: Steve Carson (58)
SteveNitro@aol.com
For Dave Doran (72)
Dave I think you misread the unemployment factor
in Greenspan's equation. Today unemployment
hovers around 4%, which really means that
everyone who wants a job has one, and businesses,
like mine, can't find employees to sustain our
growth. For the most part companies are now
having to offer higher salaries, not because the job
is worth more or more productity will occur, but
because not having a person in a critical position
will strangle the company and cause long term
damage to companies and their employees.
So, Greenspan looks at these factors 1.)increased
wages without increased productivity, and 2.)
insufficient staffing to sustain growth and draws
his conclusions.
I now have to spend 40% of my time recruiting and
just today participated in a "job fair" with 50 other
employers. The quality of those still in the
available labor pool consist of the poorly educated
and most have job records of multiple jobs of short
duration and not good prospects.
No one wants anyone to be without work that
wants a job. Many companies have had to hire
unqualified people and then run a school to try to
bring them up to speed. The education system is
failing the people and must be fixed if we are not
to become a 3rd world company.
For Paul Ratsch: Paul, you are beginning to be funny.
Is this a stand up routine? Slave Labor? Give me a break.
= Be well! Steve Carson (58) =
~ ~ ~
That concludes this issue, folks. Please remember
to include your class year and (nee) name, (if
applicable), in all correspondence and subscription
requests. To join in the ongoing conversations
here, send your comments to:
The_Sandbox@bigfoot.com
or simply hit the reply button and talk to us! We
are the Alumni of Richland Highschool, Richland
Washington, AKA Columbia High School,
representing classes from 1942 through 2000.
Visit the Sandbox Archives at:
http://www.bigfoot.com/~The_Sandbox
- Al Parker (53)
Your SANDBOX Host
-88-
***************************************
***************************************
********************************************
THE SANDBOX ~ Issue #89 ~ September 23, 2000
"It is right to be contented with what we have,
never with what we are." - Mackintosh
Let's hear who's talking today~
Jim Blakely (67) - Brad Wear '71
Paul Ratsch (58) - Chuck Monasmith '65
Dave Doran (72) - Anna Durbin '69
Linda McKnight (65)
Let our conversations begin!
Subj: History Question
From: Jim Blakely (67)
mailto:jimblakely@engineer.com
Q: If you owned a model Mark IV FM, which
product would you have?
a. A recreational vehicle made by General Motors?
b. Sony's not yet released top-of-the line DVD player?
c. Cambridge Audio's best table-model radio?
d. None of the above?
(See answer at the end of this issue of
The SANDBOX.)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Weighing the Cost of Paint
From: Brad Wear '71
Wear90@aol.com
To Bob Carlson, '54
Bob,
I think you're right about no paint being a financial
matter on the B-17's as well as the B-29's. It had
more to do with the added weight of the paint, and
the "wear and tear" on the engines. I think it was
the 5,000th ship off the line that was signed by all
the factory workers. Just that amount of paint
forced that particular aircraft to run it's engines at
a higher rate and thus added more to the
maintenance aspect. The planes in the different
theaters also had different paint schemes. Not
knowing what the final destination was of the ship
that rolled off the line it was probably easier to
have them painted when they reached their final
base. My aunt and grandmother were both "Rosie
the riveters" in the Seattle Boeing plant during
WWII. They had some interesting stories.
American Airlines, (another fine Texas company)
saves millions of dollars a year over their
competition with the striped paint scheme versus
the full body paint job. The weight factor is
incredible. I don't know how many gallons of
paint go on a plane, but I bet it's a significant
amount. Just consider the weight of each gallon
and the total probably equates to several fully
loaded passengers. You know what they calculate
for a fully loaded combat Marine was 250 lbs. I
would have had to carry an extra 100 lbs to meet
that mark when I was in the Corps.
- Brad Wear '71
~ ~ ~
Subj: For Steve Carson
From: Paul Ratsch (58)
pratsch@hotmail.com
The_Sandbox@bigfoot.com
OK, Steve- (slave labor) = not a livable wage. I
agree on the schools. If we don't motivate the
children to learn & pay attention in class, our
future is slim and none....
- Paul Ratsch (58)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Sticking to Beliefs and Censorship
From: Chuck Monasmith ' 65
msmith@owt.com (Chuck Monasmith)
To Jenny Smart Page
I am so very glad you are going to stick by your
original opinion. I will forever support your right
to do so and will consider you as someone to
respect for sticking to your beliefs in the face of
criticism. Good for you.
Now, let me make sure I understand your position.
You would prefer to have your kids read a book
where David sends a subordinate into a no-win
battle just so he can keep slipping it to the
subordinates wife, rather than a fantasy about
children in a magical land? Do you also boycott
Peter Pan? Alice in Wonderland? Did the
tooth fairy never visit your children?
I best be careful or your intolerance will make me
cynical.
Censorship is a blatant ignorance. Hide censorship
behind Christianity and it's abhorrent.
- Chuck Monasmith '65
~ ~ ~
Subj: Manipulating Levels of Employment and
Judging a Book By Its Content
From: Dave Doran (72)
Salt4385@aol.com
I love this Sandbox thingy!
To Steve Carson: I own two businesses and it's
true that it is hard to find 'good' and qualified
people. I meant no particular moral weight to the
statement about our institutionalized
unemployment factor, only that one exists. I can't
agree that anyone who wants a job can have one or
at least a fitting and interesting and living-wage
one but that may have more to do with the part of
the country they live in and their level of training.
Alan Greenspan uses or tries to manipulate the
level of unemployment and my only remark is that
he is not smart enough to be left alone with so
much power!
To Jenny Page: With all due respect to your
beloved opinion I see reading a book as more
analogous to taking a trip or journey where, if one
doesn't start at the beginning and continue through
to the end, the entire experience may not be valid.
And I hate to say it but it is the height of arrogance
to condemn a book or a journey that one has not
even tried to experience. Sorry, but having read
the Bible all the way through I find it to be full of
the magic and mystical and egotism and goodness
and ignorance that one might expect of such an
antique and eclectic document. Some of the
lessons contained therein are for the good of man
and just as many that reflect the fear and loathing
of the unknown so that one has to read with an
open mind to discern the differences. Just like any
good book. You have to read it though, there is no
substitute.
Dave Doran (72)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Re: The SANDBOX Issue 88
From: Anna Durbin '69
golddurb@libertynet.org
Dear Sandbox:
I think people are believing too much of what
they see on TV, and guess what, it isn't all true.
Nobody without a job who wants one? 4%
unemployment rate? I don't think so. They came
up with that unemployment rate by adding the
military in. They didn't do that before Reagan.
Next, tell me there is no prejudice in this country.
What are the unemployment rates in African
American communities? It isn't 4%. And if you
believe people don't want to work, you are just
wrong.
I have a client who was a letter carrier who injured
her leg while delivering mail. Instead of
accommodating her as the Americans with
Disabilities Act requires by finding useful work
that she could do, the USPS sent her to the Cripple
Crew. They work from 8:30 PM to 5:30 PM at
work that is the equivalent of a white room with
nothing to do. She had to be away from her
teenaged daughter and son at night. (Dad the drug
addict has not been in the picture for years.)
Guess who got pregnant? Her 16 year old
daughter. When my client put what she had been
told was trash in her pocket, they arrested her and
charged her with two federal felonies of mail theft
and mail obstruction. I represented her in a federal
trial where she was found not guilty. Would the
postal service reinstate her? No. And they took
away her unemployment and her medical
insurance. What job could she find? Minimum
wage cashier at a drug store - no benefits. Support
two teenagers on that? Sure.
Jenny would not let her kids hang out after a
football game or be kids? Neither does my sister
, because she watches the evening news which
features nothing except what horrible things have
happened today. Guess what? Those events are
pretty much exceptions to the rules. My kids go
places with their friends and I trust them. They are
careful about unusual happenings, but they are not
confined in a cage. I try to help them think for
themselves instead of presuming that anyone who
they don't know or who has different skin or a
different life style is automatically evil. They have
gone to integrated summer camps where they have
learned that there are rotten white kids and rotten
black kids. And there are great white kids and
great black kids. They have learned what to look
for in the qualities of their friends and they are not
afraid of the world or naive and rebellious because
we have overprotected them. Everybody makes
their own choices which is what makes this
country full of different people. I just wanted to
let you know some other choices that have been
made.
Drugs - the great demon of our country if you listen
to the politicians and the news. We have over two
million people in prison in this country - I believe a
majority from nonviolent drug offenses. Many of
them were (1) working hard at making a living at
what was available where they lived and would
have been called energetic entrepreneurs if they
were selling tobacco or (2) self medicating their
depression at their lack of a decent future. It's
okay if it's prescribed by a doctor or if it is alcohol.
We did not learn or forgot rapidly from Prohibition
that making things illegal causes violence when
people are willing to pay for the product. Many
more people die in this country from alcohol
related incidents than drug related incidents every
year. But we don't want to think about that. And
what happens when we lock up so many people for
drugs? A lot of them have children. A lot of them
have aging parents who need them. What
happens to those innocents? We just don't seem to
care too much.
So, my rant for the day. I shouldn't read The
Sandbox after work.
- Anna Durbin '69
~ ~ ~
Subj: Until Your Children Are Safely Grown
From: Linda McKnight (65)
Lmckn21142@aol.com
To: Jenny Smart (87)
I hope you have eyes in the back of your head and
are able to stay up night and day for the rest of
your days until your children are safely grown and
moved away from your house because you do not
have any idea what your children will be reading or
doing when they are not in your presence. It is
human nature for children to rebel against what
their parents believe or don't believe, because that
is the way they reach their own conclusions, and
become people. What will you do, Jenny, if your
kid does read a Harry Potter book or smokes a
joint, or pierces an ear, or gets a tattoo?? Will you
love them any less? I have been through about
everything I ever cared to while my kids were
growing up and they and I have lived to see them
become over 21. (The adult part we are still
working on.) They have had their share of
rebellions but the one that caused me the worst
grief was just recently. It was when my son came
home and said, "I registered to vote today. I
registered Republican." I replied, "OH, MY
GOD...PLEASE DON'T TELL YOUR
GRANDFATHER. IT WILL PUT HIM IN HIS
GRAVE!" Best wishes to you, Jenny, and lighten
up on yourself and your kids. Life is really pretty
wonderful wherever you may be. God bless.
- Linda McKnight
~ ~ ~
Subj: History Question Answer
From: Jim Blakely (67)
mailto:jimblakely@engineer.com
The question was:
Q: If you owned a model Mark IV FM, which
product would you have?
a. A recreational vehicle made by General Motors?
b. Sony's not yet released top-of-the line DVD player?
c. Cambridge Audio's best table-model radio?
d. None of the above?
The answer is:
d. None of the above
You would own the atom bomb dropped on
Nagasaki in 1945. The bomb was
designated the Mark IV FM on its blueprints.
(Source: THE NEW YORK TIMES)
~ ~ ~
That concludes this issue of The SANDBOX folks.
Please include your class year and (nee) name, (if
applicable), in all correspondence and subscription
requests. It's easy to join us in the ongoing
conversations here. Just send your comments to:
The_Sandbox@bigfoot.com
or simply hit the reply button and talk to us! We
are the Alumni of Richland High School, Richland
Washington, AKA Columbia High School,
representing classes from 1942 through 2000.
Visit the Sandbox Archives at:
http://www.bigfoot.com/~The_Sandbox
- Al Parker (53)
Your SANDBOX Host
-89-
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********************************************
THE SANDBOX ~ Issue #90 ~ September 24, 2000
"Great opportunities come to all, but many do not
know they have met them. --The only preparation
to take advantage of them is simple fidelity to what
each day brings." - A. E. Dunning
Today's Articles:
Read and Evaluate
By Jinnie (Eckert) Stephens `58
Ban Parking Lots at Taverns and Pubs?
By Jim Moran `86
Harry Potter and God
By Patricia de la Bretonne `65
Can It Get Any Worse?
By Mary Ray Henslee `61
Not Enough Evidence
By Bob Carlson (Mike Clowes) `54
Judicial Choice
By Ron Richards `63
~-~-~-~-~
Are you ready? Filled your cup or glass? OK then,
sit back, relax, and let's hear who's talking today!
Subj: Read and Evaluate
From: Jinnie (Eckert) Stephens `58
jinnie@owt.com
WOW!! [re #89] Good issue. Sorry, Jenny Smart
Page. I can't say it any better than Chuck
Monasmith (65) and Dave Doran (72). Hope you
decide to read and reevaluate your opinion of the
Harry Potter books.
~ ~ ~
Subj: Ban Parking Lots at Taverns and Pubs?
From: Jim Moran '86
jpmoran@cyberhighway.net
In response to Anna Durbin's issues of drugs and
alcohol in our society. [In #89] She makes many
good points, which I agree with. And I would like
to add this one point about alcohol and how our
society is so willing to accept it as the drug of
choice. If we as a society, really want to limit the
number of people who are killed by drunk drivers,
then why do we, as a society, allow parking lots at
taverns or pubs?
- Jim Moran '86
~ ~ ~
Subj: Harry Potter and God
From: Patricia de la Bretonne '65
Pia5847@aol.com
Hi. I have read the first 2 Harry Potter books and
thoroughly enjoyed them. Much more fun and less
gory and scary than Grimm's Fairy Tales and a lot
of the classics were to me as a kid. But basically it
seems to me it's the same battle between good and
evil and good wins! Blaming God for a bias is
reprehensible.
- Patricia de la Bretonne '65
~ ~ ~
Subj: Can It Get Any Worse?
From: Mary Ray Henslee (61)
Mah@satx.net
Gore's relentless grandiose pledges may just get
him elected if enough American people are blinded
by their own greed. Make $120,000 a year and you
don't want to give up buying that Mercedes to
send your kid to college, Gore will see to it that
you are not deprived. You will be given a tax
deduction for your kid's tuition of up to $10,000 a
year, which equates to a $3,100 savings in your tax
bracket. That should help finance that Harvard
education you have been planning for your kid or
hey, send the kid to one of those universities that
other people send their kids to and it will hardly
cost you anything. I sent my son to A&M
University and the cost was about $2,000 a year,
excluding food and housing. You do the math.
Now, me a commoner should help to send a big
person's kid to college? Nobody helped me! I
made too much to qualify for a Grant and too little
to really be able to afford the expense. Now
people who make much more than I do are being
promised a tax break that is equivalent to a Grant.
When did the table get turned? I think that Gore
needs to define big people because if I made
$120,000 a year, I would feel like a big person.
Simple arithmetic says that lower income people
would save much less by virtue of the fact that
they are in a lower tax bracket. Does this mean
that Gore is more for the big people than the
common people? How big is big? I am so
confused.
I am really disappointed that Bush is validating
Gore's pledges by throwing his hat into the ring on
this particular issue. However, it is understandable
given Gore's generous pledges and the American
people's readiness to jump on the highest bidder's
band wagon. What's an opponent going to do?
The system is already set up with Grants and
Loans to assist the most needy. I do not think that
College should be an entitlement and I do not think
that the cost should be subsidized for everyone at
the taxpayers expense.
I heard about Gore's college tuition tax break on
the news last night and just couldn't resist
commenting.
It seems that anything of importance is only a blip
on the radar screen, but anything insignificant that
can be sensationalized in any way is in our face day
and night. Vetoing the Estate Tax Repeal Bill and
Marriage Penalty Repeal Bill was swept under the
rug before the dust settled. Gore soliciting a
$100,000 contribution as a quid pro quo for a
presidential veto was just a whisper on the news
and I found nothing in our liberal newspaper. How
Bush's debate videotape made its way to the Gore
camp was not questioned for very long. Say an
expletive when nobody is supposedly listening and
you will never hear the end of it. Like Gore and
Clinton didn't use a few choice words to describe
the press during the Monica scandal? I am having
nightmares about rats due to that darn subliminal
message that keeps flashing across my TV screen
day and night.
It can't get any worse, or can it?
Mary Ray Henslee (61)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Not Enough Evidence
From: Bob Carlson (Mike Clowes) '54
Reply-to: bobs@proaxis.com (Robert Carlson)
Well, boys and girls, it's official: There just ain't
enough evidence against the Clinton's to justify
continuing the investigation. Now, maybe we can
get on with more mundane matters.
It seems that this year, the general election ballot
in the State of Oregon will have even more
measures to vote on than in years past. Most of
them are bolloxed up tax measures that do not do
what the proponents want them to. It just
behooves us voters to read the fine print, so that
our "no" vote does not turn out to be a "yes" vote.
Oh, they get mighty slick sometimes.
This is not what worries me the most. We have
an organization in this state known as the Oregon
Citizen's Alliance. The leaders of this group seem
to be obsessed with the idea that unless we allow
the OCA to protect us, we will be overrun by
vicious, gun wielding homosexuals, or something
of that nature. Their current proposition is to
make it illegal for schools to advocate or promote
in any way the homosexual lifestyle (whatever that
may be). I guess I must have been living all this
time with my head in the sand like an ostrich. I
wasn't aware that the public school system was
doing any promotion of homosexuality.
Now, don't get me wrong and claim that I am a
defender of homosexuals. I don't personally care
for their lifestyle, but they are human and citizens,
and should basically have the same rights as the
rest of us. What goes on behind closed doors is
their business and not mine. However, in order to
have an informed citizenry, one should have a little
knowledge about a lot of things. I think it is
confusing enough to try to figure out the normal
ebb and flow of life without throwing a ballot
measure like this one before me.
One of the corollaries of "Murphy's Law" is that
"if it ain't broke, don't fix it." If the school system
is not now advocating or promoting homosexual
lifestyles, why must there be a law against it? Or is
there something that we're not being told? In
previous campaigns for "anti gay" measures, the
OCA informed the people that "the gay and lesbian
community had an agenda to take over the world."
Geez, and all along I thought it was the
"evil empire" of those dirty, rotten commies that
wanted to take over the world.
As a parent I worried about my sons' sexual
orientation. I didn't express my worries to them
or to my wife. I figured that if something went
askew, that was life. The kid was still my son, and
that was that. Now I have threatened to cut them
out of the will for various misdeeds, like
forgetting birthdays and the like, but never for their
choices in life. Am I, then, an enlightened parent?
I doubt it, and I'm sure the boys will tell you I am
not.
So, what do we do with people who claim to
"know what is best for everyone"? I think a "no"
vote is best indicated here. Most of the citizens
had hoped to have seen the last of this group a few
years ago, but they're sort of like bad pennies, you
just can't get rid of them. I just wish they would
Teletubbie is the gay one.
Well, that's my opinion, and I'm entitled to it.
stick to keeping us informed as to just which
- Bob Carlson (Mike Clowes) '54
~ ~ ~
Subj: Judicial Choice
From: Ron Richards (63)
In the November general election, all good
Richland Bombers living in Washington State will
have an excellent choice for Washington State
Supreme Court Justice, Position 2. Her name is
Susan J. Owens. I knew Susan well both
professionally when I was an attorney in Clallam
County, and politically when I was a Democratic
Clallam County Commissioner (and responsible for
Susan's District Court budget). Her long tenure as
a District Court Judge in the very conservative
town of Forks, Washington, speaks well of her
reasonableness. Her resume, which can be found
at http://www.forks-web.com/susansupreme/, or
by doing a Yahoo search for Susan J. Owens,
follows.
Ron Richards ('63)
"A Judge for Justice"
Judicial Experience
Judicial Leadership
Judicial Common Sense
Committee to Elect, Susan J. Owens
For Supreme Court
Karen Unger, Chair
332 East 5th St.
Port Angeles WA. 98362
360-452-7688
Jennifer Zaccardo
P.O. Box 366
Beaver WA. 98305
360-374-2275
Resume of Judge Susan J. Owens
P.O. Box 1933 Forks, WA 98331
Ph: 360-374-9095 Fax: 360-374-9895
Email: sowens@olypen.com
Education:
1971: Bachelor of Arts, Duke University, North
Carolina.
1975: Juris Doctor, University of North Carolina,
Chapel Hill, NC
Three time graduate, National Judicial College,
University of Nevada, Reno, NV.
1984: Special Court Jurisdiction
1990: Alcohol, Drugs, and the Courts
1998: Tribal Court Jurisdiction
Professional Associations:
Washington State Bar; admitted 1976
Oregon State Bar; admitted 1975 (inactive status)
Federal Bar; Western District of Washington;
admitted 1976
Makah Tribal Bar; admitted 1978
Quileute Tribal Bar; admitted 1983
Employment History:
1981 - present: Judge, District Court II, Clallam
County, Washington
1994 - present: Chief Judge, Lower Elwha Tribal
Court
1987 - 1992: Chief Judge, Quileute Tribal Court
1978 - 1987: Private Practice, Clallam County
1987 - present: Limited Private Practice, Clallam
County
1976 - 1978: Staff Attorney & Acting Director
Olympic/Evergreen Legal Services, Port Angeles, WA.
Professional Activities:
District & Municipal Court Judges Association:
2000 President- Elect, 1999 Vice President,
1998 Secretary-Treasurer, 1992-1996 Board of
Governors.
Rural Courts Committee: Co-Chair; 1991 - 1993
Diversity Committee: 1992 - 1994
Education Committee: 1992 - 1993
Conference Committee: 1995 - 1996
Long Range Planning Chair: 2000 - 2001
Board of Judicial Administration:
Justice 2001:
Present: Jurisdiction & Portability Working
Committee.
Northwest Tribal Judges Association:
Present: National Trainer on Domestic Violence.
Contributor Domestic Violence Bench book for
Tribal Judges.
National College of District Attorneys:
1999: Presenter, at annual Domestic Violence
Conference, invited for October 2000.
Office of Administrator For The Courts:
1998 - Present: VAWA Instructor, Rural & Tribal
Court Judges.
Washington State Bar Association:
1995 - 1999: Special District Investigator. 1978 -
1980: Civil Rights Committee.
ABA National Conference of State Trial Judges:
Community Activities:
Soroptomist International of the Olympic
Rainforest:
1991 - Present: Charter Member
Forks Chamber of Commerce:
1995 - 1998: President & Past President
Forks Congregational Church:
Past Moderator
Quillayute Valley School District:
1993 - Present: Instructor, Judges In The
Classroom.
West End Youth League
Softball Coach
~ ~ ~
That concludes this issue of The SANDBOX folks.
Please include your class year and (nee) name, (if
applicable), in all correspondence and subscription
requests. It's easy to join us in the ongoing
conversations here. Just send your comments to:
The_Sandbox@bigfoot.com
or simply hit your reply button and talk to us! We
are the Alumni of Richland High School, Richland
Washington, AKA Columbia High School,
representing classes from 1942 through 2000.
Visit the Sandbox Archives at:
http://www.bigfoot.com/~The_Sandbox
Do everything you can to make for yourself and
those around you, a very good day!
- Al Parker (53)
Your SANDBOX Host
- 90 -
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THE SANDBOX ~ Issue #91 ~ September 27, 2000
"Territory is but the body of a nation. --The people
who inhabit its hills and valleys are its soul, its
spirit, its life." --Garfield.
Today's Features:
Votes No on Banning Tavern Parking Lots
By Larry Stone (71)
Points To Ponder
By Mary Ray Henslee (61)
(Re: The future of Medicare and relevant health plans).
Wake Up America!
By Patty Stordahl `72
The OCA: Like Bad Pennies
By Bob Carlson, aka Mike Clowes (54)
Reading Comprehension 101
By Tony Sharpe '63
Missing My Point About Harry Potter
By Jenny Smart Page '87
Sharing Concerns
By Steve Carson '58
Are you ready? Filled your cup or glass, or golden
goblet? Great! Now you can just sit back, relax
and hear who's talking today!
Subj: Votes No on Banning Tavern Parking Lots
From: Larry Stone (71)
StoneL53@aol.com
Re: Jim Moran (86) and his anti parking lot scheme
Not everyone who goes into an establishment,
which serves alcohol goes there to drink alcohol.
I often go in for lunch or dinner because many of
these places serve excellent food at reasonable
prices. And if you think banning parking lots will
solve the problem, you are so far off course it isn't
funny. Do you really believe everyone will leave
their vehicle at home? That they won't park in the
nearest parking lot and just walk the few extra
feet? With that kind of thinking, you must be
a politician.
- Larry Stone (71)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Points To Ponder
re Medicare & Senior Health Insurance Availability
From: Mary Ray Henslee (61)
Mah@satx.net
I am still into researching the Prescription Drug
issue because its possible negative impact on the
Medicare system concerns me very much and
because I don't want to pass on any misleading
information in this forum. The more that I learn,
the more that I find myself spotting misleading
information being reported on radio talk shows,
TV newscasts, and in the newspaper. This is
unfortunate because the average person under 65
years old is not versed enough on the intricacies of
Medicare to be able to recognize misleading
information when it is being disseminated to them.
Now that I know why 1/3 of the elderly are without
insurance, I cannot help but question why this has
been the case throughout this Administration. The
following are some points to ponder that occurred
to me:
POINTS TO PONDER
First Point to Ponder: I talked to a person at
Humana, where my mother is enrolled, and found
out some pertinent information. I was informed
that my mother is no longer being charged any
premiums because of her place of residency, but
that this is not the case in all Texas cities. I was
told that demographics determine the availability
and cost of a Medicare HMO because of
government funding. People who live in rural
areas are left out of the loop right now due to the
formula that the government uses to determine
their payments to the HMO's. Given this
information, I have to question why the
government has not tried to pay the HMO's
enough to include every region of every state.
Especially, in view of the fact that Gore is now
pledging much more than this would have cost. If
every Medicare recipient in this country lived in a
region that offered Medicare HMO's right now,
everyone would only be paying a small co-payment
for their prescription drugs and little or nothing for
medical procedures. Keep in mind that Gore's plan
will only pay for half the cost of a prescription
drug and it does not increase any other Medicare
coverage. This did not have to end up being a
campaign issue and the present system does not
have to be changed, just expanded.
Second Point to Ponder: Gore defends his plan by
telling us that HMO's are pulling out of the
Medicare system. This is a disingenuous
statement. It may be true that some are pulling
out, but he doesn't bother to clarify his statement
by telling us why. In my opinion, half-truths are
worse than lies. If they are pulling out, it is
because the government is not negotiating
effectively with the HMO's. It stands to reason
that a company cannot continue a partnership with
a person or entity that is threatening and
unreasonable. A company cannot offer a product
at a low cost without having stringent
cost-effective policies in place. To expect any
different, is to expect something for nothing.
HMO's have to make a profit in order to continue
with this partnership. The government must pay
the HMO's enough for the HMO's to be able to
continue supplementing Medicare at little or no
out-of-pocket cost to Medicare recipients. The
HMO's are not perfect, but they beat relying on
Medicare alone.
Third Point to Ponder: Another tactic that Gore
uses to promote his plan is to exploit people who
have been denied insurance coverage or lost their
insurance coverage due to health problems. This
may be true if they are enrolled in a standard
supplemental policy that is meant for everyone
because these policies do not give special
compensations to Medicare recipients. Once again
Gore fails to finish his sentence. He fails to
mention that you can't be denied insurance
coverage or lose your insurance coverage due to
health problems under a government funded
Medicare HMO. Ask yourself how 2/3 of an ailing
segment of our population would be able to get
insurance if this were not the case? You have to
be on your toes when listening to Gore sometimes.
Fourth Point to Ponder: This point is the most
troubling to me and why I continue my crusade. If
Gore were to get elected and manage to implement
his plan, it would be so costly that there would be
nothing left in the budget to pay HMO's to stay in
the system and continue to cover the 2/3 that are
now covered. If Medicare HMO's go by the
wayside, the elderly who now enjoy supplemental
coverage at a low cost will be faced with paying
$200 to $300 a month if they want to supplement
their Medicare coverage. This would mean that
their once adequate income would become less
than adequate. They will find themselves in a
catch-22 situation because if they don't choose to
carry supplemental insurance, than they will be
faced with higher medical bills due to Medicare's
inadequate coverage. In essence, 2/3 would lose a
lot of ground for 1/3 to gain a little ground.
Almost all Medicare recipients pay into Part B and
for Part C to be successful, I'm sure that the same
would have to be true. Right now 2/3 of the
elderly have no reason to pay into Part C. Do we
really think that the government is going to
financially support added Medicare coverage and
the HMO's simultaneously? I do not foresee
continued contracting with HMO's if Gore's plan is
implemented. Why would Gore want to
implement a plan that would take away far more
than it gives? Why a plan that would leave far
more people with inadequate coverage than is the
case today? Why not expand upon a plan that is
already in place and working for 2/3 of the elderly?
After reading some newspaper cyberspace forums,
I found that some elderly people have already
figured out that their HMO's may become history.
One woman wrote that she was satisfied with her
insurance coverage and feared that her coverage
might be jeopardized by Gore's plan. Although
some may see the handwriting on the wall, there
are probably many who may be in for a rude
awakening. I am yet to hear anyone ask Gore if he
plans to continue funding Medicare HMO's. I
hope that Bush asks this question during the
debates.
To: Ann Minor (70), I can understand your frustration
at not having an adequate supplemental policy
available in your area. I have always assumed that
Medicare HMO's were available everywhere and I
am dismayed to find out that this is not the case.
When I wrote my Don't Mess With Texas entry,
details of the candidate's plans had not been
published in the newspaper yet and I suggested a
tax credit be given to help pay insurance
premiums, which is basically a welfare check given
at tax time. However, if the government has not
negotiated with an HMO for coverage in your
area, a tax credit would obviously serve no
purpose. A tax deduction is totally different and
just as you say, it would serve no purpose under
any circumstances because a tax deduction doesn't
benefit those in a low tax bracket very much and if
someone doesn't make enough to pay taxes,
obviously there is no benefit at all.
I think that it is Bush's hope to bring the elderly
that have been left out of the loop for demographic
reasons, or for whatever reason, into the loop, in
which case you might see a good plan implemented
in your area. He is planning to subsidize premiums
if necessary, not with a tax credit, but by payments
made by Medicare directly to select plans.
These are the facts as I interpret them. Someone
please correct me if I have misinterpreted anything.
-Mary Ray Henslee (61)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Wake Up America!
From: Patty Stordahl `72
DZIGNRITE@aol.com
Regarding Bush or Gore. America Wake up. Why
vote for the lesser of two evils. Vote for
conviction and protest. We need a change and a
real wake up call to the singular yet two headed
monster going by the name of Demorepublicates.
Vote for any one like Nadar or Brown but my God
do not vote for fear. Stand up and finally have
your voice heard. If enough of us do this, all
parties will have to listen. Lets shake up the
government who has stolen our country through
amendments to our constitution. Flat tax,
communities running their schools, government
out of our homes and off our backs. Tax hike-
who can afford it? Do I make over 120,000.00?
No. Do you? Any less and Bush & Gore will
screw us to the walls. WAKE UP!
- Patty Stordahl `72
~ ~ ~
Subj: The OCA: Like Bad Pennies
From: Bob Carlson (Mike Clowes) '54
Reply-to: bobs@proaxis.com (Robert Carlson)
[Moderator's Note: In Issue #90 of The
SANDBOX, two lines toward the end of Carlson's
piece, "Not Enough Evidence," were inadvertently
transposed. We regret any confusion that may
have caused to our ever vigilant readers.
The following reprint shows those lines as they
should have appeared preceded by sufficient text
excerpted from the original article to keep
everything in context. -ap]
...We have an organization in this state known
as the Oregon Citizen's Alliance. The leaders of
this group seem to be obsessed with the idea that
unless we allow the OCA to protect us, we will be
overrun by vicious, gun wielding homosexuals, or
something of that nature. Their current
proposition is to make it illegal for schools to
advocate or promote in any way the homosexual
lifestyle (whatever that may be). I guess I must
have been living all this time with my head in the
sand like an ostrich. I wasn't aware that the public
school system was doing any promotion of
homosexuality.
Now, don't get me wrong and claim that I am a
defender of homosexuals. I don't personally care
for their lifestyle, but they are human and citizens,
and should basically have the same rights as the
rest of us. What goes on behind closed doors is
their business and not mine. However, in order to
have an informed citizenry, one should have a little
knowledge about a lot of things. I think it is
confusing enough to try to figure out the normal
ebb and flow of life without throwing a ballot
measure like this one before me.
One of the corollaries of "Murphy's Law" is that
"if it ain't broke, don't fix it." If the school system
is not now advocating or promoting homosexual
lifestyles, why must there be a law against it? Or is
there something that we're not being told? In
previous campaigns for "anti gay" measures, the
OCA informed the people that "the gay and lesbian
community had an agenda to take over the world."
Geez, and all along I thought it was the
"evil empire" of those dirty, rotten commies that
wanted to take over the world.
. . .
So, what do we do with people who claim to
"know what is best for everyone"? I think a "no"
vote is best indicated here. Most of the citizens
had hoped to have seen the last of this group a few
years ago, but they're sort of like bad pennies, you
just can't get rid of them. I just wish they would
stick to keeping us informed as to just which
Teletubbie is the gay one.
Well, that's my opinion, and I'm entitled to it.
- Bob Carlson (aka Mike Clowes) '54
~ ~ ~
Subj: Reading Comprehension 101
From: Tony Sharpe '63
tonys@citylinq.com
To: Chuck Monasmith '65
Chuck,
I am really surprised that someone who clearly
knows Biblical content, would distort the story of
David just to make an editorial point. I have
scanned past issues of THE SANDBOX re: Jenny
Smart Page's alternative reading suggestions to the
Harry Potter series, and could not find any mention
of the Bible. She did suggest a series of books that
are fictional, and were inspired by the last book of
the Bible.
The most widely published, widely read, widely
quoted, and probably widely misunderstood book
in the history of this planet is not a fantasy, it is
historical, and tells the truth. To set the record
straight, the story of David is the story of a young
man who became a great King, and then abused his
power and authority to have an adulterous
relationship with his soldier's wife. When she
became pregnant, he ultimately covered up his
deed by sending that soldier to his death. As a
result of his actions, the remainder of David's life
was truly less than fulfilling. If you really like
fantasy, may I suggest the Book of Jonah. It's the
story of an ornery little man that gets swallowed by
a big fish, and then regurgitated on shore just in
time to deliver the greatest sermon of his life. It is
fun reading, and the point of the story is much
easier to grasp, or is it?
- Tony Sharpe '63
~ ~ ~
Subj: Missing My Point About Harry Potter
From: Jenny (Smart) Page (87)
Reply-to: jpage@gocougs.wsu.edu
I think many of you may have missed my point
regarding ol' Harry Potter.
First, let's remember that this all came about from a
fellow in the "daily Spudnut report" newsletter who
asked for opinions, pro AND con, about the Harry
Potter books. He wanted to know what others
thought about the series, and if they hadn't read
them, why not. Unfortunately, the con opinions
weren't allowed in that forum. I simply was
wishing to let him know that not everybody thinks
the series is okay, and that there are alternatives
with similar attributes (good vs. evil, quick easy
read, action, adventure, kid oriented, long book to
give kids a "sense of accomplishment"). And
somehow, this has become a "witch hunt", if you'll
pardon the expression :)
Second, so many of you are accusing me of
wanting to "censor" this book. I never made any
mention (ever)! of censoring this book. I have
never stated that YOU or YOUR kids (or
grandkids, or your cat for that matter) cannot read
Harry Potter books. Quite the contrary! In my
last statement, I clearly stated that you are
welcome to read the book if you want to! I am
too firm of a believer in our constitution to EVER
want ANY book to be banned! That is the glory
of living in our free society! You can read what
YOU want, and I will read what I want. And we
can argue over who's reading the best book. But
when my opinion is asked (and I do have many
strong opinions), I will state what I think. (But
constitutional rights is getting off on another
subject....)
Third, as for the personal attacks on my ability to
raise my kids --- back off, folks, and don't be
telling me what to do and not to do. I have high
standards for my kids, and I expect them to reach
those expectations. How can I expect my kids to
know right from wrong when they are 15 or 18 or
21 (or whatever), if I don't lay the ground work for
that now, when they're 7, 4 and 2? I can't. Its my
primary duty as a person at this stage of life to be
teaching my kids what our beliefs (spiritual, moral,
ethical, etc.) are in our family. And this includes
not worshipping any thing other than the Lord
God. How can I expect a 16 year old to
understand that piercing a nipple and tongue is not
something thought highly of in our house, if I don't
start teaching that now, ten years before the
subject ever comes up? How can I expect an 18
year old to not cheat on his biology exam, if I don't
teach him now that I expect him to follow the rules
of "Battleship"? How often have we all been told,
"you are what you eat" and "garbage in, garbage
out"? This goes not just for junk food and data
processing, folks. It can be applied to many
different aspects of our lives -- including our
spiritual lives. Why would I want to expose my
kids, or myself, to something whose whole
foundation is against what we believe in? I don't!
And therefore, we don't read Harry Potter in our
house!
I don't need to read the book to understand that
Harry Potter casts spells to defeat the "bad guy
wizard/gobblin/spirit". The fact that Harry Potter
is a wizard-wanna-be-student, even if he is
supposed to be a "good guy," doesn't make it any
less offensive to me. Does Harry Potter use his
wits and ingenuity to help his "cause"?
Undoubtedly. I believe you when you say that it is
an exciting read of a book, filled with action,
suspense, and enticing characters. I do give it
credit for those aspects. For my kids, though, I
choose to have a better role model than someone
who calls on a magical spirit to help him out of a
jam.
Now, I know some of you are laughing at me right
now, thinking "Ha Ha, what a foolish young
mother. What does she know? She can't control
her kids' lives like that! She can't say that her kids
are never going to smoke a joint or skip class or
whatever...She can't control who her kids worship!
What is she thinking? Ha Ha Ha. How idealistic!"
And to that, I say this: You're right. I don't know
what the outcome of my kids will be in 10 or 15
years. But if I just throw up my hands now, and
say what will be will be, then I never should have
had kids in the first place. I can't control
everything that happens in their lives. I know that.
But, I'm going to try my best to steer them down
the right course of life, and to provide them with
the tools they will need to successfully deal with
the temptations of life when they do come around.
And by doing what I am now for my kids, I believe
that when they are 15 (or 9) and someone says,
"Hey have a puff of this" or "Let's play with my
sister's Ouija board," or whatever, my kid will be
able to say, "No. I don't think that's a good idea."
And then walk away, knowing the right choice has
been made.
Still standing firm in my decision not to read Harry
(but you can if you want),
-Jenny Smart Page (87)
~ ~ ~
Subj: Sharing Concerns
From: Steve Carson 58
SteveNitro@aol.com
For Anna Durbin: Sorry to hear the story of your
Postal Worker [Issue 89] and probably should
have qualified my comments about the
unemployed, and was only responding from my
point of view as an employer. I also share your
deep concern about the role of drugs in our society
but would stop short of calling a drug dealer an
entrepreneur. The mandatory sentencing law must
be revisited or serious consideration given to
legalizing drugs.
- Steve Carson 58
~ ~ ~
That concludes this issue of The SANDBOX folks.
Please include your class year and maiden name, (if
applicable), in all correspondence and subscription
requests. It's easy to join us in the ongoing
conversations here. Just send your comments to:
The_Sandbox@bigfoot.com
or simply hit your reply button and talk to us! We
are the Alumni of Richland High School, Richland
Washington, AKA Columbia High School,
representing classes from 1942 through 2000.
Visit the Sandbox Archives at:
http://www.bigfoot.com/~The_Sandbox
Be faithful to your day!
- Al Parker (53)
Your SANDBOX host
- 91 -
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THE SANDBOX ~ Issue #92 ~ September 30, 2000
"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom."
- H. W. Beecher
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Today's Subjects and Contributors:
Guiding Your Own Children
Patty de la Bretonne '65
Critical Thinking
Jim Moran `86
Harry Potter and Parental Rights
Jill Walser `81
Down With the OCA
Missy Keeney Baker `59
INTOLERANCE
Vickie Andersen Simmons '67
Medicare and Harry Potter
Bob Carlson, aka Mike Clowes (54)
Directions:
1. Fill a glass or cup with your favorite beverage.
2. Drink your fill of what these people have to say.
3. Consider what you might like to add.
4. Hit the reply button and talk to us!
~~~
Subj: Guiding Your Own Children
From: Patty de la Bretonne '65
Pia5847@aol.com
Dear Jenny Smart Page,
I definitely support your desire to guide your
children down the path you believe is right. [re
SB91]
- Patty de la Bretonne '65
P.S. Your phrase, "calling on a magical spirit to
help him out in a jam," does sound a lot like what
many so called Christians do all the time and feel
they have a right to, doesn't it?
~~~
Subj: Critical Thinking
From: Jim Moran `86
jpmoran@cyberhighway.net
[Re comments made in SB91]
Oh, god! Yes, how stupid of me.... I forget, many
of you live or lived in Eastern Washington, where
such thing as critical thinking is a rare thing.
No, I was not making a statement which backed
banning parking lots from taverns or pubs. But, I
was making an observation about our society.
However, there are stiff laws on the books which
make very important statements about drinking
and driving. Just like in Washington State (at
least when I lived there), it was illegal to have an
open container of alcohol. Now, wait, just
because I have an opened bottle of hard alcohol in
the glove box of my vehicle doesn't mean I was
drinking and driving. No. But, the people of
Washington State are making a point on this
subject of drinking and diving
Yes, you are correct, it would not be a great law.
But, nowhere did I encourage anybody to call their
state rep., state senator, or governor on this
subject. Rather, I was thinking outside the box.
(AKA thinking critical) about this subject. The
point was we (as a society) do not really want to
control (very tightly) alcohol, for the government
makes a ton of money from the sale of it.
Remember, Prohibition was repealed in the depth
of the Depression. Why? Because the government
needed funds and needed them quickly. The
government still makes a ton of money from the
sale of alcohol. I know most Americans would not
give up their gas sucking cars, but that's
another subject which I think is outside the box...
Critically thinking,
Jim Moran `86
~~~
Subj: Harry Potter and Parental Rights
To: Jenny Smart Page `87
From: Jill Walser `81
jillwalser@yahoo.com
Hello,
I don't have time to write such eloquent essays, but
I wanted to commend you for standing up for your
beliefs. It's rather incredible how others transpose
their fears onto others with differing opinions,
regardless of the content of the actual opinions.
I.E., I don't like censorship, so I'm going to read
that you are advocating censorship whether you
did or not.... It's ridiculous. You are the mom, you
have a right to expose your children to whatever
you choose as long as its not illegal or immoral.
Similarly, as mom, you have the right to withhold
from them (and advocate that they utilize self
control due to the family's moral values) the things
you view as immoral or illegal. Period.
My son loves Harry Potter, he's read them all at
least 40 times. He also reads an incredible variety
of other books. We have about a half hour
commute to and from the school he attends. As a 4
year old, he read the book Newf at least 150 times.
Its about a dog rescuing a cat, very cute. And no...
he doesn't go about rescuing cats from starvation
in the Newfoundland wilderness... I've read the
Potter books all once, to see for myself if I felt the
material appropriate, and as such, I think they are
fine for children capable of discerning a fantasy
story from reality. They are exciting and fun to
read. My son is able to realize that wizardry is
someone's idea of fun, not a vocational decision.
Frankly, I think he equally relates to a lady who
makes her living writing stories as with a skinny
English kid who bails himself out of trouble in
rather inventive ways... His reading Harry Potter
doesn't change the constant conversations and
deeds we engage in exemplifying morality,
conscience and respect. Anyway, I for one am
glad you are taking your job as mom so seriously.
I'm always glad to hear that children are being
parented instead of ignored, neglected or abused.
More power to you.
As for our "idyllic" childhoods, where we ran
around playing kick the can until we couldn't see
the can for the darkness... We grew up with
Wesley Allen Dodd roaming the streets on his
bike. We grew up with toxic chemicals seeping
into our swimming holes. We weren't any safer,
just blissfully ignorant.
Regards,
Jill Walser `81
~~~
Subj: Down With the OCA
From: Missy Keeney Baker (59)
missykb@hotmail.com
To Bob Carlson, aka Mike Clowes (54)
I wasn't aware that homosexuality was being
"taught" in our public schools!! How can that be??
Actually, I wish someone would explain in a
scientific and "rational" manner how one would
teach someone to be homosexual! No one ever
taught me to be heterosexual!! My sister, Patricia
Keeney (63), from Forest Grove, Oregon has long
been an activist in PFFLAG (Parents, Families and
Friends of Lesbians and Gays). I know they have
had to work tirelessly and diligently against the
kind of hate legislation that the OCA and like
minded groups are always proposing. I say "Down
with the OCA, down I say!!!"
Oh, by the way, it's Tinky Winky. He's purple and
the one with the purse! Oh, and my daughter just
reminded me that he also has a triangle on his head
which is supposed to be the symbol of gayness or
something. It's sooo obvious!!
- Missy Keeney Baker (59)
~~~
Subj: INTOLERANCE
From: Vickie Andersen Simmons '67
vsimmons@mtaonline.net
Re: the Harry Potter Debate
Hat's off to Jenny Smart Page (87)! I couldn't
agree more with her beliefs on raising children. I
have raised mine in the same fashion. I believe
kids need guidelines. When they are off on their
own, they will have had a good groundwork laid
for them to make their own decisions.
I have 2 sets of twins. The first set (girls)
graduated in 1999. One is at UAA on full
scholarship in engineering. Her twin sister chose
to join Youth With A Mission and go to Eastern
Europe for 7 months. She went to help spread the
good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but also
to ease the suffering (and there's a lot of it) in
places that have been bombed or have had such
poverty. She went to feed, show love and
compassion. Raising her the way we did - morally
and with strict guidelines as to what was
acceptable in our home, etc., did not make her a
'scared little wallflower.' Quite the opposite!
Thanks to Tony Sharpe (63) for clarifying the story
of David. One item he left out was that David and
Bathsheba lost their first child as a result of their
sin.
As to the subject of my little 'rant' - Tolerance. It
amazes me how many people who would call me
intolerant are even less tolerant of my point of
view and my RIGHT to it. I don't tell my children
'no' to something from a point of hate for that
particular thing. I tell them "no," because I love
them and know the consequences of going down
that particular path. Those who would call me
intolerant are equally so.
Vickie Andersen Simmons '67
~~~
Subj: Medicare and Harry Potter
From: Bob Carlson (Mike Clowes) '54
Reply-to bobs@proaxis.com
Medicare and Harry Potter- Now, there's a pair to
draw to.
First off, with regards to Medicare coverage.
Fortunately or unfortunately, it is not the president
or any presidential wannabe who determines who
qualifies and who does not. It is a "governmental
gnome" who nobody knows that set this policy.
And it will take more than a campaign promise
(which along with a $1.60 will get you a cup of
coffee) to change the policy. Even a congressional
change to the Medicare/Medicade laws will
probably not suffice.
Remember what "Daddy" Dawald taught in civics:
"Presidents do not make laws, they only propose
them to Congress." The simple fact is that no
matter what Bore or Gush propose to the
electorate, it is not a fact of life, law or anything
else. It is a campaign promise and nothing more.
You could think of campaign promises as
"termination winds"; if you don't like the way it's
blowing, you can quit.
Mary Ray Henslee (61) has every right to worry
about this issue, as she is slowly getting to the age
where she will have to worry about it.
Unfortunately, Mary, no matter who you select as
your candidate it won't make that much difference.
Previous contenders for the "throne" have vowed
to change or eliminate the program; and it never
happened. Even changing the "gnome" who set
the policy doesn't help. Perhaps changing the
governmental mind set from negative to positive
would.
Unfortunately too many of our "civil serpents" take
the negative view and thoroughly resent anyone
wanting to upset their particular rice bowl. The
idea seems to be that the only way they can hold
their position is to deny service to many, but take
care of a few and claim "budget limitations" or
other bureaucratic nonsense as to why they cannot.
Now, on to Harry Potter.
I, too will defend to the death, Jenny Smart Page's
freedom to read, write and raise her children in
what ever manner she pleases. And, if she thinks
Harry Potter is the devil incarnate, that is her right.
But, perhaps Jenny was subjected to forces beyond
her ken while growing up. Those of us who went
through childhood before there was television
really had to rely on imagination to get a
perspective on the world around us. Sure, we
believed that you'd best not tug on Superman's
cape or try to look under the Lone Ranger's mask.
And, yes we knew what these characters looked
like through comic books and Saturday Afternoon
Serials (at the Village Theater).
I guess, Jenny, the point we are all trying to make is
"Don't close your mind."
Well, that's my opinion, and I'm welcome to it.
Bob Carlson (Mike Clowes) '54
~~~
That concludes this issue of The SANDBOX folks.
Please include your class year and (nee) name, (if
applicable), in all correspondence and subscription
requests. It's easy to join us in the ongoing
conversations here. Just send your comments to:
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or simply hit your reply button and talk to us! We
are the Alumni of Richland High School, Richland
Washington, AKA Columbia High School,
representing classes from 1942 through 2000.
Visit the Sandbox Archives at:
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Be faithful to your day!
- Al Parker (53)
Your SANDBOX host
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