09-26-2019 Letters and Commentary

Of geodes and Jesus

If I were to look at a pile of rocks, I would not recognize which ones had the potential of being geodes. Geodes are rocks that have an interior with crystals or with agate material. They are usually very beautiful when they are revealed by cutting or breaking the stone. Geode sizes can vary from very small, easily fitting in your hand, to very large. The crystals can be fine pencils of quartz or can be massive amethyst crystals, or garnets or pyrite. The trick is identifying geodes initially. Then, only by investigation can the real beauty be revealed. The effort can be very rewarding. The effort put into correctly identifying who Jesus is can also be very rewarding. Not everyone who encountered Jesus the first time back when He physically walked the earth understood what they were looking at. They didn’t recognize the value of what they were seeing. Therefore, many passed him by as easily as we might miss a geode amongst other rocks. They never discovered the beauty that resided inside. According to the Bible, in 1 Peter 2:4 many have through the ages rejected Jesus Christ because they felt He did not meet their perspective of who the Messiah should be, how He should act and what He should do. So, when Jesus came along, they were not ready for His offering salvation as opposed to conquering Israel’s foes and making Israel great again. Their studies neglected the “Suffering Servant” aspect predicted in Isaiah 53. Or they just didn’t want to see Jesus for who he really was, the Son of God, come to earth to seek and save those who were lost. So they missed Him – with worse consequences than missing a geode. There is great beauty hidden for us in Jesus Christ if we are willing to learn to recognize Him for who He is.

Beware of false Social Security and Medicare advertisements

Scammers have become more aggressive and sophisticated in the digital age. With millions of people relying on Social Security and Medicare, scammers target audiences who are looking for legitimate program and benefit information. Scammers sometimes try to scare people into giving out their personal information. Never give someone who called you any personal information unless you absolutely know who they are. The law that addresses misleading Social Security and Medicare advertising prohibits people or non-government businesses from using words or emblems that mislead others. Their advertising can’t claim that they represent, are somehow affiliated with, or are endorsed or approved by Social Security or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicare). People are often misled by advertisers who use the terms “Social Security” or “Medicare.” Often, these companies offer Social Security services for a fee, even though Social Security offers the same services free of charge. These services include getting: A corrected Social Security card showing a person’s married name; a Social Security card to replace a lost card; a Social Security Statement; and a Social Security number for a child. If you receive misleading information about Social Security, send the complete ad, including the envelope (if applicable) to: Office of the Inspector General Fraud Hotline Social Security Administration P.O. Box 17768 Baltimore, MD 21235 You can learn more about how we combat fraudulent advertisers by reading our publication What You Need to Know About Misleading Advertising at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10005.pdf. You can also view and share our anti-fraud information at www.socialsecurity.gov/antifraudfacts as well as this YouTube video www.youtube.com/ watch?v=8N96ORODZm8. Remember, our information is easy to email and post on social media. Please let your loved ones know about these types of scams. Sharing this article with friends and family can save them from financial and emotional hardship. 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.

GHOST TRAIN… I’ve written, frequently over the years, about the ghost train that triggers the RR crossing gates at M-140 in Watervliet. There were times the occurrence gets so frequent I’ve called CSX to report it. As my office window looks out over the crossing, I probably see the misbehaving crossing arms more often than most. Happily, whatever the chronic issue was, it appears to have been exorcised by whatever gremlin that was causing the gates from going up and down without benefit of any railroad equipment on the tracks. Now I’m noticing the phenomenon at the crossing on Red Arrow Hwy near the Watervliet Industrial Park. Friday last the arms were down, blocking the crossing around 10:30 a.m., with no trains or RR workers nearby (although there was equipment parked along the siding east of the crossing). Drivers, myself included, navigated around the lowered gates in turn. Monday was the same scenario, a bit earlier. The arms were down and traffic was backed up, east and west bound. A good Samaritan was holding the crossing arms up to allow traffic to continue across. Ironically this is “Rail Safety Week” Sept. 22-28 and on Tuesday, Sept. 24, Coloma Twp. Police were among 600 law enforcement agencies nationwide issuing warnings and citations to raise awareness and enforce state rail grade crossing and trespassing laws.

HOW STUPID DO YOU THINK I AM? I got the following letter via FAX, Monday. I’m amazed such garbage is still being sent out by criminals in foreign countries. I also left the errors intact. It boggles my mind to consider there must be enough gullible (stupid) people responding to make this fraud possible. I’m leaving the Gmail address on the letter in case you have money to waste and or you need a pen pal. “Dear Sir, I am Mr. Hashim Ihsan Barkatullah from Syria; I am interested in buying properties and other investments in your country with your assistance. I would like to learn more about your country’s culture and other interesting lucrative business in your country. I would like more information about these projects so that I can learn more about the investment project in your country and clarify your plan. I was a businessman in Aleppo before the civil” war. My business has been destroyed by the war. Our economy has collapsed since 2012. There is no meaningful economic activities going on in Syria, and there will be none for the foreseeable future even if the war stops today as it will take more than four decades to re-build our infrastructure and our economy. I want my daughter to emigrate to your country but not as a refugee rather as an investor, as I still have a substantial part of my cash (US$48,000,000.00) holdings intact in Cyprus. For me, I am seriously sick for eight months now. I have Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia and Cancer of Bone Marrow and according to my Doctors I have no much time to live. This is why I found it wise to contact a business person in your country to help me since this country won’t be safe for my 11 years old daughter. I wish for a prompt response from you regarding this fax message. You can contact me via email hashibarkaOl@gmail.com . Warm regards, Mr. Hashim Ihsan Barkatullah”.

School in session

Hi Karl & staff,

Regarding Miss Christie’s reminder of school opening, on my way to 1st grade (1945) was a posted metal sign: “School Zone – Children Crossing”. Some genius idiot scribbled, “WAIT FOR A TEACHER”.

Great TCR paper guys, keep it coming.

Ed Belfy, Paw Paw

MDHHS reports one new human case of mosquito-borne EEE in Southwest

Michigan and new counties with affected animals

Eastern Equine Encephalitis remains an ongoing threat in Southwest Michigan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Bureau of Laboratories has confirmed Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in an adult resident of Calhoun County. Eight cases of EEE have now been confirmed in residents of Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren counties, including three deaths.

“The increasing geographic spread and increasing number of EEE cases in humans and animals indicate that the risk for EEE is ongoing,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “We continue to urge Michiganders to protect themselves against mosquito bites until the first hard frost.”

Additionally, testing at the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has recently identified EEE in one animal each in Calhoun, Jackson and Montcalm counties. As of Sept. 20, EEE has been confirmed in 21 animals from 11 counties: Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Genesee, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Montcalm, St. Joseph, and Van Buren. There is an EEE vaccine available for horses, but not for people. Additional animal cases are under investigation.

MDHHS is encouraging local officials in the affected counties to consider postponing, rescheduling or cancelling outdoor activities occurring at or after dusk, particularly activities that involve children. This would include events such as late evening sports practices or games or outdoor music practices. The MDHHS recommendation is being made out of an abundance of caution to protect the public health and applies until the first hard frost of the year.

EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the United States, with a 33 percent fatality rate in people who become ill. People can be infected with EEE from the bite of a mosquito carrying the viruses. Persons younger than age 15 and over age 50 are at greatest risk of severe disease following infection.

Signs of EEE include the sudden onset of fever, chills, body and joint aches which can progress to severe encephalitis, resulting in headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures and paralysis. Permanent brain damage, coma and death may also occur in some cases.

For more information about mosquito-borne diseases, visit Michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.

Jon Hoadley for 6th District Congressman

Dear Editor,

Let’s peel back the curtain! It’s time that everyone got to know Jon Hoadley. He’s running to be our next Congressman in Michigan’s 6th district.

Jon is in his 3rd term as State Representative, 60th House District, which includes Kalamazoo and portions of the city of Portage.

He is committed to: Ensuring our economy works for everyone not just the wealthy; making certain families have quality, affordable healthcare; raising wages for working people; increasing education funding and lowering student debt; fixing our roads with reasonable solutions.

As an example, last June, Jon and several other legislators worked to find real, long-term solutions to fund road repairs while protecting Michiganders wallets. Based on feedback from thousands of people in our communities across the state, Michiganders indicated they wanted legislators to: Develop immediate practical solutions; stop stealing from schools to pay for road repair; get businesses to contribute their fair share.

Jon and other House Democrats introduced four House Bills (HB) to ensure everyone pays their fair share, specifically: Increasing corporate income tax by 2.5% so corporations help pay their fair share while repealing the harmful, current individual retirement tax; creating a Vehicle Miles Traveled Tax on the two heaviest classes of trucks at six cents a mile; creating a bridge toll program for trucks; creating the “Fixing Michigan Roads” fund, which would direct tax revenue specifically to fixing roads.

All bills are waiting a negotiated budget deal in the legislature on 30 September.

It is time for all of us to start peeling back what’s really happening in Congress: On how legislators vote, on where they get their campaign funds and on what our legislators do for us. Take a look at Jon Hoadley’s record now so you are prepared to elect a Congressman in 2020 who works for the people.

Ken Peterson, Buchanan

Celebrating diversity: Everyone has a role to play

On Saturday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m., Calling All Colors and the Race Relations Council will honor Pastor Laurie Hartzell and the Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor for their outstanding leadership in promoting diversity with inclusion in Southwest Michigan.

The honorees will receive awards for their contributions at the annual Calling All Colors – Race Relations Council Fun(d)raiser, which will be held at the Heritage Center, 601 Main St., St. Joseph. The theme for this year’s fundraiser is “Oscar Night: Celebrating Diversity – We All Have a Role to Play”. The event will feature a tribute to the award recipients and will include dinner, musical entertainment, games, a prize wheel, and an outstanding silent auction.

Proceeds from the Fun(d)raiser will benefit the Calling All Colors program, the Scholarship Fund of the Race Relations Council, and the All God’s Children Community Choir.

Tickets for this event are $40 per person. For further information or to purchase one or more tickets, please call Larry or Sandy Feldman at 269-921-0531 or 269-921-2953.

Red Cross: Donors of all blood types, races and ethnicities needed

The American Red Cross urges people of all races and ethnicities to give blood or platelets to help increase the diversity of the blood supply.

The vast majority of blood types fall into one of the major blood groups. However, for patients with rare blood types or those who receive regular blood transfusions, blood must be matched closely – beyond the primary A, B, O and AB blood types – to reduce the risk of developing complications from transfusion therapy. The best match may be someone of the same racial or ethnic group.

Donors of all blood types, as well as all races and ethnicities, are needed to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse patient population. Appointments can be made by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

As a thank-you, those who come to give blood or platelets during the month of October will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five $500 gift cards redeemable at hundreds of merchants, courtesy of Tango Card. Terms apply; see rcblood.org/game.

Upcoming local blood donation opportunities include:

Friday 9/27/2019: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Hartford Federated Church, 65418 Red Arrow Hwy

Thursday 10/3/2019: 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Lane Automotive, 8300 Lane Drive, Watervliet

MI AG Nessel urges protections for nursing home facility residents

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who launched an aggressive Elder Abuse Task Force earlier this year, is challenging a proposed federal rule that would weaken nursing home regulations and potentially threaten the health and safety of tens of thousands of Michigan residents living in nursing homes.

Nessel joined five other Attorneys General to file a comment letter this week urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to avoid watering down protections for vulnerable residents of skilled nursing care facilities, saying the proposed rule would “place too great an interest on minimizing facilities’ obligations” to protect their residents.

“This proposal takes away the basic checks and balances that were put in place to ensure the health, safety and well-being of all residents in the care of nursing home facilities throughout our country,” Nessel said. “With these proposed rules, the federal government would be effectively giving nursing home facilities a free pass to duck existing obligations and make it harder to detect the abuse, neglect and exploitation of our most vulnerable residents.”

The proposed rule change falls short on several levels, including: Weakening the qualifications and standards set for a director of food and nutrition services regardless of the medically ordered specialty diets many of the elderly require; changing the grievance process to one that allows nursing homes to decide whether a concern is a grievance or simply “feedback,” and gives more power to the facility in how they are investigated; increasing the likelihood that chemical restraints would be used for convenience by eliminating the requirement that a physician must see a patient to extend as-needed antipsychotic medications; reducing safety assessments from once per year to every two years, which increases the chance of health and safety issues going unnoticed for a significantly longer period of time.

“The bottom line is that these proposed rules do not improve the lives of vulnerable residents; they improve the lives of business executives and the bottom lines of nursing home businesses across Michigan and the nation. They lessen a facility’s accountability to its residents, their families and the state, and the rules in no way improve or address the abuse and neglect that we know exists in these facilities,” Nessel added.

The Attorneys General provide multiple recommendations in their comments to ultimately “strike the right balance by prioritizing residents’ needs and protections without instituting unnecessary obligations for long term care facilities.”

Nessel launched the Elder Abuse Task Force in March to combat the abuse, neglect and exploitation of Michigan’s most vulnerable population, including those in nursing home facilities.

MI AG urges Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to protect consumers from debt collection misconduct

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined 27 other Attorneys General in urging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to revise its proposed debt collection rule and place the interests of consumers over those of debt collectors.

“Debt collection abuse is a serious and widespread problem for many Michigan residents who work tirelessly to make ends meet,” said Nessel. “Not only will this proposed federal rule allow debt collectors to call multiple times per week on each debt, but it will also allow them to make contact via social media. We expect the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to do what their name suggests: financially protect consumers, and that means ensuring debt collectors respect the balance between lawful debt collection and consumer protection and privacy.”

In their letter, the Attorneys General recognize the importance of lawful debt collection. However, that does not grant debt collectors free rein to do so “in whatever manner they wish.”

The proposed federal rule falls short of protecting consumers by allowing debt collectors to:

Place up to seven calls per week for each debt a consumer has. According to the CFPB’s own research, almost 75% of consumers have more than one debt; meaning consumers could still receive dozens of calls per week under the proposed rule;

Send an unlimited number of electronic communications, including direct messages on social media platforms, without consumers’ consent;

Take advantage of consumers that fundamentally do not understand their rights or obligations when it comes to time-barred or “zombie” debts – unpaid debt with a statute of limitations on how long a collector can sue to force payment – allowing a debt collector to sue or threaten to sue if they “know or should know” that the applicable statute of limitations has expired, which compounds the misunderstandings and risks consumers already face;

More easily file baseless lawsuits on a massive scale. The proposed rule would erode the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act’s requirement that attorneys be meaningfully involved with debt collection litigation, an important check on debt collectors’ ability to flood state courts with lawsuits that are based on minimal or no evidence; only incomplete or unreliable records.

“Despite decades of public and private enforcement of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, widespread deception and abuse have continued in the $11.5 billion debt collection industry. It’s incumbent on us to object to this proposed rule, because it doesn’t present consumers with the meaningful protections they need or deserve,” Nessel added.

In their letter, the Attorneys General commend certain aspects of the rule including its prohibition of “passive debt collection” — a particularly coercive practice in which debt collectors report debts to credit reporting agencies before attempting to collect on them.