Speak Out ... Disappointed in Star
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Re D-Day anniversary coverage (June 6): The Star is really disappointing to those who love our veterans. On June 6, 1944, more than 10,000 gave their lives. The Star had a four-line remembrance in the history section on that anniversary. The Gadsden Times had a third of a page. The Star had a third of a page on Robert F. Kennedy's death and legacy. On May 27, two writers of The Star were given information about the Honor Flight organization to tell World War II veterans who would like to have an all-expense, three- or four-day trip to see this memorial free of charge in Washington to contact them. Each veteran will be assigned a chaperon, and if one needs a nurse one will be provided. For more information call (937) 521-2400 or visit www.honorflight.org. This information is yet to appear in The Star. It is believed that an average of 1,800 veterans are dying daily and up to 1,200 World War II each day. Paul Chastain The gas-price problemRe "Paying for it, if you can: Inequality of gas prices" (Editorial, June 16): The Star's editorial was timely. However, it did not address how we got here and what can be done to fix the problem of high gas prices. We got here after our elected representatives caved to the liberal environmental activists who have blocked oil exploration and drilling, expansion and construction of oil refineries, and the use of nuclear energy. Most of these folks live in big cities, never interact with nature and take the train to work. High gas prices do not bother them. How do we fix this problem? Drill for oil, build refineries and use nuclear energy whenever and wherever possible. Rick Tubbs No to early releaseThe Alabama Medical Furlough Act was introduced in the special session and signed into law. This bill will circumvent the parole system we have in place, the parole board allows early release for inmates with illness, the Department of Corrections currently contacts local officials with request for early release. It grants too much authority to one individual, one person should not be granted the authority over a process that affects so many people. Granting authority to one individual opens the door for bribes and corruption in the DOC. It gives no recourse to victims who oppose inmate's release, by law victims must be notified and allowed to attend a hearing for early release. The savings for the DOC might make Montgomery feel better, but as a taxpayer moving expenses from one agency to another does nothing for the average taxpayer. No one plans to become a victim. We endure the judicial process, begrudgingly participate in the parole process, then our own elected official turn a deaf ear to us. All victims want is their day in court, the sentence to be handed down and carried out. Every time the state changes the rules it puts victims back in the process we never wanted to be a part of. Mary Anne Rippey |
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