Letters to the editor for Aug. 17

Always blaming global warming

There you have it! Twelve years ago, after Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast, the estimable Al Gore promised that, because of global warming we could expect killer hurricanes year after year. But there haven’t been any killer hurricanes since Katrina, not one. Superstorm Sandy, you ask? Superstorm Sandy was only a category one hurricane when it hit the states, barely more than a tropical storm. The extreme devastation was due to the storm making landfall during high tide.

So where are the killer hurricanes that Al Gore promised? The answer has now come to light. The reason that global warming’s killer hurricanes have not come to pass is because of ... global warming! That’s right! We are now told that the massive hurricanes caused by global warming have been stopped because of global warming. See how this works? Predictions are made, telling us how global warming will kill us all and when they don’t come to pass, it’s because of global warming.

Now we find out that the same people who have been telling us that the global temperatures are hotter than ever before have intentionally ignored temperatures that were below normal. Well, duh! If you only count the temperatures above normal, then of course the temperatures will be hotter than ever. Using their logic, you can simply ignore every plate appearance when he doesn’t get a hit and then say that Yadier Molina is batting 1.000. Using those numbers, I bet his next contract is a doozy.

People regard our soldiers’ reproductive health as a joke

Tom Whittey searches for the humor in taxpayer dollars spent on health issues for LBGTQ v. Males serving in the Armed Forces.

Unknown to me is what medical expenses the LBGTQ community incur over what anyone else in uniform would be entitled to receive while in service to our country.

I spoke to a retired vet about the issuance of Viagra, and he reported that the Department of Defense will pay for just four Viagra a month. Sad that anyone would regard the reproductive health of our soldiers as a joke.

What’s wrong with an idea that does no harm, costs no money?

Dear Editors,

First of all, thank you for the updated news you provide in all areas, especially education. As one of your “go to” superintendents, I never say “no comment,” always try to comply, but I just wanted to reply. I must say the editorial “Students sleep as teachers go to class,” wins my ESPN ‘C’mon Man!’ award for the day. My goodness people, the late start concept is a great way to provide much needed staff time, which benefits the students. It’s being done in other districts, namely Collinsville, and is being done to help improve things; that’s the bottom line. What is wrong with an outside-the-box idea that won’t cost any money, that is not harmful to anyone, and that can help student and teacher progress and development? You guys are great, and I know you have to show various twists and slants as journalists, but I really honestly hope you had a little bit of “Really?” when you posted this. Have a super day, everyone!

What Congressman Mike Bost has done

James Harrigan, avoid gambling. Congress.gov reports Congressman Mike Bost has introduced six bills this session, including ones on veterans affairs and agriculture. He voted yes for the Keystone Pipeline, which sends oil here for refining. He helped end restrictions on coal mining. He sits on two key committees, transportation and veterans affairs. This helps you and I as veterans and many others in our area by improving our transportation infrastructure to increase jobs. Nobody deserves to be yelled at, not a McDonald’s employee, a police officer or a congressman. You were off by $13,000. Congressmen make $174,000, except House leaders.

Jesse Arms, Mr. Bost voted yes for better care for disabled veterans. He voted yes on SB26 to expand Medicaid eligibility. For food insecurity at your community college, I suggest you talk to the college leadership about better cafeteria food. Community colleges are not a federal entity.

Jim Walters, I know you love animals, but that horse is dead.

The dangers of driving

I wrote a while ago about how I am afraid to get in the car and drive anymore. Aggressive drivers and distracted drivers are constantly on my mind. A review of newspaper stories will give a clear picture of additional paranoid measures that can be taken to protect yourself when you venture out on the roads.

Do not drive at all after midnight. Do not buy gas after midnight. Do not shop at a quick shop after dark, and especially not after midnight. Never leave your keys in the car at a gas pump. Never leave your engine running while you walk into a store. Never leave your engine running when you get out of the car, even in your own driveway. Always lock your car when you get out. Avoid dark rural roads late at night. Never drive in the passing lane of an interstate highway. Give a wide berth to eight-year-old (and older) Pontiacs, Monte Carlos, and Impalas, especially those with tinted windows.

Never honk your horn, ever. Use your turn signals. Always drive with your lights on. Wear your seatbelt. Drive like you have a full fishbowl on the front passenger seat. Or, maybe just stay home and stop reading the accident and crime reports in the newspaper.

In very poor taste

It was in very poor taste when attorney Jack Daugherty used the Aug. 8 BND article to attack and criticize Madison County CPA Kurt Prenzler for a press release when Prenzler was able to return a lost dog to its family and spoke about the Madison County Shelter no-kill policy that he is working on. Daugherty accused Prenzler of squandering tax dollars for self-promotion, but Jack Daugherty sure didn’t care about taxpayers’ dollars when he represented Collinsville Councilwoman Cheryl Brombolich and sued the city of Collinsville, settling for $200,000.

Back to school safety tips

This week starts another school year. I hope everyone in our community will take a few seconds and think about the changes we’ll all realize in our neighborhoods. Driving habits change quite a lot from summertime.

Get off the phones. It’s illegal to be on your phone in school zones.

Hundreds of kids will be at a bus stop for the first time. They’re being taught how to behave at the bus stop, hopefully not just by the school but also by their parents. Parents, talk to your kids about playing around streets and bus stops. Advise them to stay on the sidewalk.

Don’t ever pass a school bus from the same lane.

When following a bus, if you can’t see the side rear view mirrors, the bus driver can’t see you.

When a bus is stopped, a child could be coming from any direction. Please obey the bus signage and guardrails.

Many crossing guards are children. It may feel unnatural to obey a child’s instructions. Please stop as they direct you to stop and be aware of crosswalks.

Around the high schools, most drivers have driven for less than 18 months. They don’t have the same experience adults have; they make mistakes.

Around both colleges there are crosswalks. They’re marked and students are supposed to stay with in them. They don’t always do as they are instructed. Pedestrians can also be ticketed by the police.

Last but not least: slow down! Belleville police say speed is usually the first problem in most neighborhood accidents.

This story was originally published August 16, 2017 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Letters to the editor for Aug. 17."