06-01-2017 Letters and Commentary

LETTERS

Top Pop Contest… Deadline is noon Friday, June 16

Looking for the area’s

“Top Pop” for 2017

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 18, and some lucky Tri-City Area dad will be the happy recipient of dozens of great gifts, compliments of the Tri-City Record and its advertisers.

The winner of this year’s “Top Pop” contest will be selected by the staff of the Record from letters written to the paper during the contest period.

Letters to the paper, nominating your “Top Pop,” should tell why he is the greatest. List some of the things he does to deserve the award; and be sure to include his name, your name, and your telephone number.

Send your letter to: Tri-City Record, P.O. Box 7, Watervliet, MI 49098 or by email to record@tricityrecord.com. All letters will be published in the Record as close to Father’s Day as possible.

The “Top Pop” will be selected from those letters after the 12:00 noon contest deadline on Friday, June 16. The writer of the winning letter will be notified that afternoon.

Keep an eye out for prizes and complete contest rules in future issues of the Tri-City Record; and start working on that letter today!

Fentanyl danger

Dear Editor,

Those with loved ones who are using opiates or heroin have a new risk. Drug dealers across the United States have begun to mix drugs with an extremely powerful and dangerous drug known as Fentanyl.

The drug Fentanyl can be from 50 to 100 times more powerful then heroin, making the risk of a fatal overdose much higher. Drug dealers have been using this drug to increase the potency of their heroin at a lower cost.

Now more than ever it is essential to get those you know who are addicted into treatment. Having a relationship with a person who has an addiction to opiates is often stressful. Although you just want to help the addicted person, they many times fight against you as if you were the enemy.

Addicts can be very difficult to get into treatment and it is important to ask for help when you need it. There are professionals who can help you handle your loved one before it is too late.

Do not be surprised if your loved one accuses you of contributing to their addiction. Hear them out and take their words into consideration but at the end of the day realize getting them sober and continuing to live is the most important thing.

Fentanyl has made the risks of being a heroin addict even higher than it already was. Get yourself educated. If one of your loved ones is struggling with addiction, get them into treatment. Don’t wait until it is too late.

There are many different approaches to the challenge of how to help addicts. For free information, visit http://www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/fentanyl-laced-heroin-worsening-overdose-crisis.html or call 1 800-431-1754 to get help for your loved ones.

Ray Clauson

Denham Springs, LA

An independent investigation of Russia and the Trump Campaign is urgently needed

Dear Editor,

With the appointment of Robert Mueller as Special Counsel for the investigation of the Russian connection to President Trump and his campaign, the possibility of a politically independent process has increased.

When Trump fired James Comey, Director of the FBI, he left the door open to the investigation being conducted solely by Trump allies. I wonder how that would have turned out?

In an interview with NBC News anchor Lester Holt, Trump admitted that he fired Comey because the FBI Director continued to pursue the “Russia-Trump” investigation. A recent article in the New York Times reported that after meeting with Trump in February, Director Comey wrote a memo indicating that Trump had asked him to “let go” of the investigation of Michael Flynn, who had just been fired from his position as National Security Adviser for lying about his conversations with the Russian ambassador.

The Republican leadership in Congress is either silent or is willing to sit on their hands rather than express anything close to the appropriate outrage that these acts call for.  Why?

Those backing Trump obviously see benefit in governance that reaches out to and praises dictators and authoritarian leaders that have a history of eliminating a free press, killing off opponents and undermining democracy: Erdogan in Turkey, Duterte in Philippines, Kim Jong Un in North Korea, and Bashar Al-Assad in Syria.

It also seems abundantly clear that (most but not all) congressional Republicans are more committed to their party than they are to their country.  They are more concerned with getting their legislative agenda through congress than ensuring we protect our American Democracy.

It is clear that Putin and his cronies used cyber-attacks on U.S. citizens and put out fake news to influence the U.S. election.  It is unclear yet whether there was collusion between the Russians and the Trump campaign. That is why a thorough, impartial investigation is needed.

If we allow a cover up to occur and we don’t get a full accounting of the Russia connection, we will see even more drastic consequences to our Democracy once truth sees the light of day.  Our members of Congress must be “Guardians of our Democracy” rather than use this situation for political gains or accept this situation as business as usual.  Let’s be reminded that a previous president (Richard Nixon) tried to avoid the truth, and many helping him paid a heavy toll.

Kenneth R. Peterson

MAJ USA (Ret.)

Buchanan

Special counsel investigation is critically important

Dear Editor,

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has been appointed as special counsel to investigate “any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump” as well as any crimes that may take place during the investigation, including things like perjury, obstruction of justice, and witness intimidation.

If Mueller finds enough evidence, he can seek an indictment from a federal grand jury against one or more suspects. If the grand jury chooses to indict, the case would then potentially go to a federal criminal trial.  If appropriate, findings can be used by Congress for the impeachment process.

Mr. Mueller comes to this appointment with a strong history of honesty, thorough investigatory experience and bipartisan trust.  It remains to be seen how his work will be received by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans.  His appointment is at the behest of the Deputy Attorney General (AG) Rod Rosenstein due to AG Jeff Sessions’ recusal from this investigation. Rosenstein is a Trump appointee, so it remains to be seen how this chain of events will play out.

Since Trump fired James Comey while conducting the same investigation, Rosenstein’s days are probably numbered.  With a new Deputy AG of Trump’s liking, Mueller’s work could be conducted under a cloud of disapproval, or perhaps he might even be dismissed if the investigation becomes too effective.

And then there is the question of financing the investigation.  Will there be roadblocks by the Justice Department or Congress relative to providing required resources to do the job properly? The next few weeks should provide interesting news as these events unfold.

Whatever the result, this investigation is absolutely necessary to maintain the viability of our democracy!

Gretta Van Bree

Lincoln Township

Social Security supports National Cancer Survivors Day

 In 2017, more than a million people will be diagnosed with cancer around the world. This alarming statistic affects people and families everywhere. Chances are you know someone who has been affected by this terrible disease.

On June 4, we observe National Cancer Survivors Day in the United States. In support of this day, Social Security encourages getting checkups to provide early detection, raise awareness through education, and recognize the survivors who have gone through this battle or are still living with the disease.

Social Security stands strong in our support of the fight against cancer. We offer services to patients dealing with this disease through our disability insurance program and our Compassionate Allowances program. Compassionate Allowances are cases with medical conditions so severe they obviously meet Social Security’s disability standards, allowing us to process the cases quickly with minimal medical information. Many cancers are part of our Compassionate Allowances list.

There’s no special application or form you need to submit for Compassionate Allowances. Simply apply for disability benefits online, in-person or over the phone. Once we identify you as having a Compassionate Allowances condition, we’ll expedite your disability application.

Social Security establishes Compassionate Allowances conditions using information received at public outreach hearings, from our employees, who review millions of disability cases each year, from medical and scientific experts, and from data based on our research. For more information about Compassionate Allowances, including the list of eligible conditions, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.

Social Security is with you throughout life’s journey, through good times and bad. If you think you qualify for disability benefits based on a Compassionate Allowances condition, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov to apply for benefits.

Vonda VanTil is the Public Affairs Specialist for West Michigan.  You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email at vonda.vantil@ssa.gov.

Higher than the angels

 When first century Jewish adherents to “The Way” (so called because of John 14:6) were transitioning from the foundations of their new faith to the structure of the Gospel they now embraced, the writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews addressed some critical issues. Hebrews was written for those that were trying to fit the puzzle pieces together to get an accurate picture of what Jesus Christ had finally accomplished.

As a part of the discussion, found in Hebrews 1, the writer compares Jesus Christ to the angels, noting that He is greater than the angels.

What angels do, however, is also further explained: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14, NASB)

The word for “angel” in the Bible means “messenger.” There are evidences of their intervention in human affairs in terms of help and protection. The Bible does speak of angels that are assigned to children (Matthew 18:10). There is even an account of angels called “Watchers” passing verdict on a proud king (Daniel 4:17). Angels are evidently directly involved with our lives.

The Bible does not teach that children, or any other humans, become angels when they die. Angel hosts existed before the earth was made (Job 38:4-7), and to be a child of God is a better position than being an angel.

Perhaps current interest in angels is related to increased interest in alien life forms and “extraterrestrials.” Whatever the case, we will someday personally meet many angels, either in Heaven or in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10-15). That’s why it is important to have a right relationship with God now, through His provision for our salvation through His Son – who is higher than the angels.

MEMORIAL DAY…  a favorite part of the Memorial Day services in Watervliet, to me, is how the crowd lining the sidewalks on Main Street, walks along with the parade to the Watervliet Cemetery on Red Arrow. The walkers are always quiet and somber.

Thank you to all that participated in the parade and service. It is an especially fitting event honoring all America’s heroes who served in the armed forces.

BONUS ISSUE… Thank you all for the kind words of appreciation for the expanded welcome to summer issue last week. Many of you purchase your weekly newspaper at the newsstands and express your appreciation of getting a free copy in the mail. Others said they liked getting the issue with all the local festivals and other events scheduled for this coming summer days.

Just so my head doesn’t explode or I throw my arm out of whack patting myself on my back; when getting the mail Tuesday morning, I noticed several copies of the free  bonus issue in the trash can (along with many free coupons and flyers). I guess some folks just don’t want to read a quality newspaper even if it is free.

Thanks as well to the advertisers who make this special issue possible. Thanks too to the reporters, writers, and other contributors to the additional information contained in the issue.

I also appreciated the comments from a reader who said he had grandfathers of the Jewish faith who fought in World War II. He said the advertisement last week promoting the Memorial Day services in the area was lacking any indication that Jews participated in the war. His comments came from the fact that the artwork at the top of a military cemetery only had crosses marking the graves.

That was a great observation of something missing on an image many of us take for granted. Men and women of many faiths and beliefs have given their lives in the defense of our country. It wasn’t their diverse beliefs that brought them to the battlefields, it was their love of country.

Now as we are recalling their sacrifices, it is a good time to appreciate those American heroes in uniform today who are united in a cause to defend the freedom of all religions and races.

HAVE A SAFE GRADUATION DAY IN THE TRI-CITIES… this Friday most of our local high school seniors graduate, with commencement exercises at Coloma, Hartford and Watervliet.

Too frequently the exuberance and excitement of the occasion causes some to celebrate too vigorously and get hurt or injures others. Sometimes parents mistakenly allow underage drinkers to imbibe at home “to be safe” but then turn them loose on the community.

Graduates, congratulations. Today is the first day of the rest of your lives… Please make sure it is not the last day.

Too often graduates party too heartily and end up paying the consequences. Please celebrate responsibly, look out for your friends, and look out for yourselves. Be safe, not sorry.