What a deal
I have decided to start my own carbon credit (carbon offset) company. It will be here in Illinois for now, but I anticipate going national very soon.
As I understand it, the carbon credit (offset) people want you to pay them a fee for planting a tree for every ton of CO2 emissions you produce.
Based upon the estimated 23 tons each family emits into the atmosphere each year, multiplied by the national average cost of $5 per ton, that calculated out to only $115 per year/per family. Well, since I live on a two-acre lot, with more than 100 mature trees plus thousands of saplings, I figure I am qualified to sell you, the enlightened public, carbon credits. However, my company will work in reverse. Instead of planting trees, I pledge not to cut anymore down.
But what if you run out of trees to sell, you ask? Not to worry. I also have access to 50 acres of woods, and I am sure I can arrange to deal with my neighbors (for a small fee) to offset their trees as well.
I still encourage you to go green: Buy a donkey to ride, use candles instead of electricity, use only three sheets of toilet paper, etc. It's a win/win situation. You get to feel better about helping the environment, and I get to retire in the lifestyle I so richly deserve. I accept credit cards, checks, money orders or PayPal. (Insurance is extra).
Roddy D. Riggs
Highland
Welcome, new citizens
While reading Steve Vandever's recent letter, I was struck by his arrogance and epitome of the "ugly American." His statement, "Regardless of how successful these 'new' citizens become, they will never be better or equal to American-born citizens, period," can only be born of ignorance. Like most U.S. citizens, he seems to think that "American-born" applies only to citizens of the United States. To me, America includes North, Central and South America.
I am extremely proud of being a citizen of the United States of America, born and bred. I am also extremely proud of our naturalized citizens. First, they are here legally. Second, they have worked hard for their citizenship and probably know infinitely more than the average American-born citizen of its history and laws. They have earned their citizenship with its inherent obligations and responsibilities.
As I can trace my ancestry to Jamestown and thence to England, I am well aware of the fact that my ancestors were once "foreign-born."
As old Forrest Gump frequently said, "Stupid is as stupid does."
James L. Wilburn
Belleville
Left without a warning
On March 30, about 5 p.m., all the local TV stations informed us that the National Weather Service had issued a tornado warning for Clinton, Washington, and St. Clair counties effective until 5:45 p.m.
We went to our place in the basement armed with a flashlight and radio. Heavy rain ensued and the satellite TV went out. So I tuned the radio to KMOX because it has the strongest signal and I am able to pick it up from our basement. I listened closely from 5 to 5:45 and heard at least four segments of KMOX's famed Traffic and Weather Together.
They spent a lot of time discussing traffic and other babbling, but nary a mention of any tornado warnings or even the tornado watch most of the area was also under. Inexcusable.
What about the folks who might not have heard about the warning on the TV but were relying on KMOX to inform? What if a tornado hit and hundreds of people were oblivious to it because of KMOXs ineptness? I shudder to think about it.
Skip Lorence
Aviston
Contrary to nature
A same-sex union is not equivalent to marriage. It is not based on the natural complementarity of male and female. It cannot be a true conjugal union. It cannot operate with God to create new life. It cannot be a true union.
The Bible makes it very clear that these relationships are wrong. Homosexuality is contrary to nature and is considered sinful by God, who created us all.
Frances Wilson
Belleville
Blind, or what?
After watching a Cardinals game, I was wondering if any umpires are checked for eyeglasses, drugs or a gambling habit just like the players? If not, I think it's about time.
Frank J. McCann
Waterloo
Think about issues, not individuals
This election stuff is a real pain. It makes me ill to think of these people spending millions and millions of dollars to act like two little kids battling for a nomination. How totally stupid when there are so many people in our country who need help and are trying to survive on a few hundred dollars a month. All we hear is a black man (who is half white if I recall) and a white woman who claims she's been in the White House before (redecorating) when they should just be Americans.
What is happening to our country? Has it gone completely nuts? They spend all that money to say, "I'm better than you." What about saying, "What can I do for my country and my fellow citizens?" Here are a few possibilities:
• Help the poor and share the wealth. The rich get richer and the rest barely eke by.
• Take care of the elderly and children's health and welfare.
• Bring jobs back home to the United States.
• Step up on global warming problems.
• Deal with the war.
• Make English our language and everyone needs to be able to speak and understand it.
There are some issues that need addressing, not to become the most popular kid in town.
Betty Wright
Freeburg
See Hillary run
Why does U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton continue to hang in there in the U.S. presidential race even though it looks as if she won't have enough delegates?
We have to remember that she is in her 60s. If she wins the presidency and serves for only four years and then retires, she will have the same U.S. presidential pension and benefits that her husband has. Wow!
She has loaned her campaign millions of dollars of her own money. (Loaned!) If she is elected who will pay it back? Will it be lobbyists or taxpayers?
Many politicians in our country are starting to think like European royalty. Remember when U.S. President Kennedy was assassinated and then his brother wanted to run for president? Our present president barely got elected after his father was our president.
Now in Cuba Fidel Castro's brother is taking over after he leaves office. In North Korea their supreme leader took office after his father died. Look what a mess North Korea is in.
In England they only allow their candidates to run for office six months before the election. Their campaigns are financed by their government.
It's no wonder many people who would be good candidates will not run for long in our country. As has been said in the past, "We have the best politicians money can buy" -- and often also controlled after they are elected. We have far more lobbyists in Washington, D.C., than elected politicians.
Chuck Fischer
Collinsville
