Opinion

Good friend Les Walters, then editor of The Hamilton (Ala.) Progress, put a camera and notebook in my hands as soon as I graduated from high school and started me on the journey, while I was majoring in journalism at the University of North Alabama.

I truly hate having my picture made! I might not hate it as much if the camera captured the way I “think” I look, as opposed to the way I “actually” look.

I have many things to feel inferior about, but one in particular is penmanship. This goes back to the F in writing which came home on my initial report card in first grade. What a way to launch an academic career! I knew enough about school to feel that this was a terrible thing, and I confess that I always greeted school grade reports with a good deal of anxiety.

Letters To The Editor

Response to health care:
Dear Editor,

I agree with Ms. Clark’s letter. We need to know the facts before judging a health care reform bill. Average family premiums continue to rise. Laid off workers can’t afford to keep up their insurance premiums. More than half of personal bankruptcies are caused by health care costs.

According to a 2007 national survey, insurance companies discriminated against more than 12 million Americans in the previous three years because they had a pre-existing illness. That sounds like rationed health care to me.

I watched my neighbor die, a few years ago, from esophageal cancer. He was self-employed and couldn’t afford health insurance. He got chemotherapy until his funds ran out, and then just suffered through the pain until the end of his life came.

Do Americans not have a right to health care, along with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

Even though we spend more than any other nation on health care, our nation ranks 24th in life expectancy among developed countries. The top two health insurance companies had record-breaking profits last quarter.

So, maybe we should look at where the money is going. Should health care really be a “for profit” system?

At least, let’s get the facts from all sides before we make a judgment that will have a long-term effect on our lives, our children and grandchildren.

Jeanine Kahrs
Byhalia

Thanks for helping:
Dear Editor,

Many thanks to Citizens Bank of Victoria and Mary Frances Buchanan for supplying gifts for the bingo game at the Victoria congregate meal and activity program on Friday, Aug. 28.

George Zinn
Holly Springs

Land in Byhalia:
To the Town of Byhalia,

Thank you for considering the land across from the new high school for the ball park.

The children could walk to this location as well as the people in the city. This land is in the city limits with city services.

The town could save the million dollars for the proposed bridge to the other land.

Let’s work together to see this dream become a reality.

Kathy Ingram Worthy

News from the 2-198 Combined Arms Battalion
• Army, Iraqi leaders agree to water-sharing policy in Ninawa

(Editor’s Note: The 2-198 Combined Arms Battalion, 155th Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in Senatobia, Mississippi, is currently stationed in various locations in Iraq and includes soldiers from our local area.

The battalion Public Affairs Officer is CPT Murray B. Shugars. CPT Shugars routinely writes articles and sends photos of our troops from this battalion.)

Contingency Operating Base Q-West, Iraq —Local Iraqi leaders met with the 16th Sustainment Brigade deputy commander and the Q-West mayor to discuss water policy and enforcement here August 15.

Please take time to remember our local “heroes” who are serving in war zones around the world.

If you’d like to add a name to this list, please contact The South Reporter, Attn. Linda Jones, P.O. Box 278, Holly Springs, MS 38635; 662-252-4261; or email: south@dixie-net.com


Thursday, September 3, 2009
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