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Letters, 5/16: Bear not given a chance

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Friday, May 16, 2008 - 12:45:35 am CDT

After reading the May 14 article on the plight of the young bear, I was both shocked and dismayed.

Euthanasia was the only choice? Zoos aren’t taking bears? I wonder how many parks were contacted to see if they could temporarily house a young bear until a better solution could be made?

The bear was acting in an odd way? Hmmm, it was comfortable around humans and it was trapped in a shop where spectators flashed camera bulbs and probably caused it to become even more frightened. Sounds like normal behavior to me.

In today’s society, everyone wants a quick fix for the problem.  Maybe the officials could have taken a few extra deep breaths and come up with a positive solution to this unfortunate incident. I’m sure that we could have found a kind and generous Nebraskan available with the means to transport this small bear up to Rocky Mountain National Park. But for this poor bear, he wasn’t even given the chance for survival.

Now, they are stuck with the body of this black bear. Actual consideration is being given to possibly mount this poor thing in a museum or Game and Parks facility?  You’ve got to be kidding me.

Mary Arellano, Lincoln

Primary shows true vote

I was at the February caucus. After the caucus, I tried to contact everyone I could think of about it not having been counted the way they said it would. That might explain the huge difference in the vote, from then to now. All I got in return for my trouble were excuses, or being ignored.

I am not the least surprised to find the actual count is pretty evenly split between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. We live in Nebraska where one person has one vote. Everyone’s vote is viable.

And, I hope Nebraskans rise up against the Nebraska Democratic Party ever doing a caucus again without a vote of the people to agree to it. Most of the people I have talked to who went hated it, and those who didn’t go didn’t realize it was the only way to have a vote that counts.

I have been waiting for this day to prove my point. One person, one vote, period. That is the way it is supposed to be.

I believe the Nebraska Democratic Party should reassign the delegates, and the superdelegates (like you, Sen. Ben Nelson) should also rethink what we the voters really want.

Ginny Wilcox, Lincoln

Time for change

I despise change. I really do. 

Ever since the Congress abandoned its responsibility for coining money, delegating it to the Federal Reserve, change has become worth less and less.

First, they took away the gold and silver, leaving only a copper or nickel token that is now worth more in materials than money.

But Congress says it is politically unacceptable to eliminate pennies and nickels (LJS, May 7). Why? Because taxpayers might smell a rat?

OK. So what material exists that is so cheap it can be used to coin 5 cents?

I know. Wood.

David A. Anderson, Lincoln

Work for the people

With elections so much on everyone’s mind, elected and appointed officials need to remember that governing is a privilege.

Just remember that Americans need three things of their elected and appointed officials. These are the same requirements at every level of government — (city, county, state or federal — administrative, legislative or judicial).

1. Be an American.

2. Work first for this country (city, county or state).

3. Work for the citizens of this country (city, county or state).

Susan Hanlon, Lincoln


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CS wrote on May 16, 2008 5:14 am:
" Ginny, our country has NEVER been one person, one vote. We have a constitutional republic-a representative democracy. Your single vote has never counted, at least at the federal level. The reason for this was to eliminate mob rule, and to ensure that even if the uneducated population voted that those votes would channel through another level before being counted-that being the electoral college or designated representatives. It's not the best system in the world, but its better than a full on democracy. Why should there be a vote, in your opinion, to allow Democrats to have a caucus? Isn't that even MORE limiting? "

 Adding to Susan wrote on May 16, 2008 6:28 am:
" 4. Do all this work for all the citizens on your district or country, not just the rich ones that helped you get elected. "

 JT wrote on May 16, 2008 7:08 am:
" I don't understand why people think getting rid of pennies would be politically difficult. Seems like everyone hates pennies. "

 LWV wrote on May 16, 2008 7:38 am:
" The whole design of the DNC's nomination process is questionable. The Caucus/Primary debate and the Super Delagate fiasco. We Dem's argue the 2000 vote, yet our "popular" candidate could not be the nominee based on the Super Delegate count. I just feel that Hillary was ordained in the back room of DC politics long ago, and the DNC is trying to negate the surprise popular nominee. As long as this schoolyard kid popularity fight continues, the more the voter we need to win will lose interest in the true goal of this exercise. "

 Really wrote on May 16, 2008 7:41 am:
" Well, everyone that I talked across the state regarding the caucases was happy with the result. They thought it went well, was an interactive process and the votes were counted exactly how they were told they would. I'm sorry that you had such a bad experiance, but Obama did win by a very large majority. I would find it hard to believe that there would be that many discrepencies. "

 Mary Schwab wrote on May 16, 2008 7:41 am:
" Ginny Wilcox, I agree with you!!! I, too, have been waiting for the "true vote"! I went to the caucus expecting a fair result and was dismayed to find that although the ratio in our precinct was 1 to 2 1/2 in favor of Obama, the delegate count at the end of the day was 1 to 4 in favor of Obama.
I think the Caucus was designed by those in favor of Obama, against Clinton, and without a vote of the citizens who make up the party. It worked just wonderfully for Obama, and it was not a fair representation of the support for Clinton. Of course the women and older citizens were not going to arrive at a caucus in the dark, bitterly cold, windy Saturday winter evening.
Hilary's supporters need to let the Democratic Party know that this was unacceptable!!!!!! We must see the true ratio of delegates for each candidate show up at the Democratic National Convention. "

 Economic catastrophy wrote on May 16, 2008 7:42 am:
" if we eliminated pennies...how many items are priced 1.98 ect just a few pennies short of the next buck. Think of how many items a day that you buy that are like that not just weekly grocery shopping...what about sales tax do we round that up as well. Think, McFly Think! "

 No wrote on May 16, 2008 8:18 am:
" the reason nebraska had the caucus was to make its vote more important nationally. Iowa has had that honor,but, nebraska felt left out and wanted to get recognized nationally so a caucus was held. The state has been disregarded by the rest of the nation in most things except football and is like a little kid in need of attention. "

 Gardener wrote on May 16, 2008 8:39 am:
" Maybe some people that voted for Obama at the caucus didn't vote again in the primary because they knew the delegates had already been assigned. Maybe some people that voted for Clinton in the primary hadn't taken the time to go the caucus. Bottom line is the votes were counted, the delegates assigned. The information on the process was out there for those of wanting to read it, it was on the news, on the web, in the mailers from all the candidates, etc. She may have lessened the gap, but she still lost. It's time to move past it. "

 Ryan wrote on May 16, 2008 8:51 am:
" Something else I learned from this primary is that voters often vote against their best interest. For instance, voting for Clinton. "

 Pennies Rule wrote on May 16, 2008 8:52 am:
" I personally love pennies and want to thank everyone who just throws them on the ground for me to pick up! I cash them in a couple times a year and have at least $10 each time! It may take some time, but they do add up! As a bonus, some people think that nickels and dimes are equally as worthless, which makes my "extra income" grow even faster! And if it is the right time of year, those 5's and 10's I sometimes find on the ground go into the Salvation Army kettles, so, again, THANKS EVERYONE!!! "

 Tim wrote on May 16, 2008 9:07 am:
" @Economic Catastrophe: Getting rid of the physical penny does not, necessarily, mean getting rid of x.98 or x.99 pricing. If we get rid of the physical penny, and your purchase (total), with tax comes to x.58, then you pay x.60 if you use cash. If you pay with an electronic payment (debit/credit card) then you pay the actual amount. A "

 Nina wrote on May 16, 2008 10:05 am:
" I loved David's subtle and unique reference to wooden nickels - that guy's thinking! As to Mary's lament that the bear was not given a chance, I'm reminded of the story of the little boy who saw a movie about the Romans feeding the Christians to the lions. He said, "Oh, look, Mommy, there's a poor lion who isn't getting any." Bears who become accustomed to being near humans often become aggressive, says the National Forestry Service. And yes, they are talking about this variety, black bears. "

 Ben wrote on May 16, 2008 11:00 am:
" Regarding the bear, people forget the story about John Hirsch of Williams Lake British Columbia. Let me begin.

John Hirsch was minding his own business in his back yard when a black bear had the audacity to assault him in his own home. Hirsch pulled out his 3 inch knife and called the bear on, circling him like a wrestler in a ring. The bear kept swatting at him, but Hirsch ducked, then stabbed the bear in the face each time it lunged. When the bear finally had enough of its face ruined, it finally gave up and died: its tongue was severed, jaw broken and it had several new holes ripped into it, making it more aerodynamic (if you happen to be optimistic).

Of course, animal rights groups complained about Hirsch, saying the bear was just looking for food. No kidding? I'm sure the bear would have had no qualm about eating Hirsch, and the animal rights activists would have gotten pretty excited if the bear had eaten him. I wish a bear would eat them instead.

So lets not forget, bears are dangerous animals too!
"

 Another Tim wrote on May 16, 2008 11:16 am:
" Tim, what happens to the people that pay in cash only. There are a few of us left you know, do we just get a credit at that store?

It is just like when the state legislature's raise gas tax 1.2 cents, do the pumps just go from $3.599 to $3.611? No it goes to $3.619. So do away with the penny and everything will be rounded up to $.05. "

 George wrote on May 16, 2008 11:33 am:
" I am a huge Obama supporter yet I agree with Ginny that caucuses disenfranchise a large portion of the population. Many lower class workers assigned to the night shift cannot devote 2 hours (or even longer) to attend a caucus. The idea of a caucus is neat but practically the negatives outweigh the positives. However, the argument for re-assigning the delegates is flawed because it does not take into account the majority of individuals who knew the primary didn't count delegate wise and thus did not feel the necessity to show up. The same argument can be made for Florida and Michigan. Why would an Obama supporter show up if he/she knew that Obama wasn't even on the ticket??? "

 Des wrote on May 16, 2008 11:45 am:
" I had the opportunity to be in Australia and New Zealand last year and they have done away with their pence coin. Amounts are rounded up or down to the nearest nickel. System worked for the most part, but one got hte feeling that things were horribly overpriced. Actually, they were overpriced as Australia had a AU$12.00 minimum wage (over half of which was subsequently taken by the govt in taxes).

Could the United States survive without the penny? Yes. But I feel like a definite part of our history would die with the penny. "

 Terry wrote on May 16, 2008 12:20 pm:
" Yes I think that caucus are a joke. There should be one Primary and all at the same time. I really don't care who Iowa votes for. "

 PW wrote on May 16, 2008 12:27 pm:
" Dear Mary Arellano: Thank you for your letter, I can't add anything to it. My thoughts exactly. "

 AP wrote on May 16, 2008 12:50 pm:
" Bears are dangerous too? From the story of John Hirsh, it sounds like man is a lot more dangerous than a bear. It wasn't the man with all the horrible injuries, was it? "

 Rob wrote on May 16, 2008 12:56 pm:
" It was a bear. Get over it. "

 Don wrote on May 16, 2008 4:20 pm:
" Poor bear. "

 Laurie wrote on May 16, 2008 5:58 pm:
" I have mixed feelings about the bear. It's a shame, for sure... but given the resources and time, the people who were stuck dealing with the problem did the best they felt they could and I respect that. I am disturbed by people who always accuse "they" of acting inappropriately. Maybe YOU should dedicate some time and money to solve the next problem. Start yourselves a "bear rescue" team, organize some friends and make some contingency plans and the next time some poor sheriff's office has a panicked complaint about a bear they can have YOUR number to call to come "rescue" the bear and do whatever you will with it. It's worth mentioning that no matter what you do, some know-nothing with a chip on their shoulder about "they" will accuse you of doing it wrong. YOU can make it happen. Put up or shut up. "

 karwied wrote on May 17, 2008 7:12 am:
" Terry: I, and a whole lot of other voters agree: One primary (just like the General Election) on the same day everywhere. I would add, however, that candidates should be allowed only so much money to campaign. It is true that the one with the most money will usually win, because of the name recognition. Some people only vote for the name, not knowing the person's qualifications or what they "stand" for. I also do not care about Iowa's vote (or any other for that matter.) "

 Oh Ginny wrote on May 17, 2008 7:13 am:
" Face it Hillary isn't going to win. Let it go. Obama is the best bet to win. Hillary needs to see this and drop out or guess what Republicans will win again. "

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