Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor
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Electric wheelchairs are available for those who need them
Dear Editor,
Wishes on Wheels makes available electric power wheelchairs to non-ambulatory senior citizens 65 and over and to the permanently disabled of any age, if they qualify.
Usually, there is no charge or out-of-pocket expense for the power wheelchair, including shipping and delivery to the home by a technician, who makes the final adjustments to fit the individual and shows them how to use and maintain it.
Electric wheelchairs are provided to those who cannot walk and also cannot operate a manual wheelchair sufficiently or safely enough to care for themselves in their residence. They do have to be able to safely operate a joystick controller on the armrest and understand the basic instructions.
Please call 1-800-823-5220 or visit their Web site at www.threewishes2.com for more information.
The Wishes on Wheels program's main purpose and goal is to develop public awareness of the assistance options that exist to allow senior citizens and the permanently disabled to remain independent in their homes without incurring extra expense.
Without this awareness, the senior and their family may prematurely choose a nursing home or take on expensive in-home care simply because they cannot move safely - or quickly enough - from room to room, to get to the bathroom, the kitchen or answer the phone or doorbell.
Brian Haimovitz
Carpinteria, Calif.
Junk science, he says
Dear Editor,
According to information from the 2008 International Conference on Climate Change, in a 2003 survey of 530 climate scientists in 27 countries, 56 percent of the scientists surveyed thought global warming was the result of human causes. This is hardly "a consensus;" as Al Gore would have you believe. Surely, science by consensus is junk science.
A schism arose among scientists in this discipline when the 1990 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Summary completely ignored selective data that didn't support a human-caused global warming theory. Later, the 1995 IPCC report made significant alterations that was approved by the scientists, in order to convey the impression of human influence.
Then, a 2001 IPCC report claimed the twentieth century showed 'unusual warming' based on a now-discredited hockey-stick graph. The latest IPCC report, published in 2007, completely devaluates the climate contributions from changes in solar activity, which are likely to dominate any human influence.
But you hardly ever read or hear what the dissenting scientists say - and upon what data they base their conclusions - unless you search it out in your own.
A report has just been issued by scientists who reject what the IPCC is trying to force on the world. For those interested in seeing their supporting evidence that solar activity has, and is, controlling climate change, here is the Web site: www.heartland.temp. siteexecutive.compdf22835.pdf.
The preface to that report states, "we do not currently have any convincing evidence or observations of significant climate change from other than natural causes."
It is critical that voters become informed by their own initiative, because some estimates indicate the costs involved in remedial actions are so prohibitive that all global poverty itself could be eliminated with the funds about to be (and are already being) spent in what many, equally competent, scientists say is folly.
Jim Packard
Prescott
Compensation through state programs for crime victims
Dear Editor,
If you or someone you know has been a victim of crime such as robbery, child abuse, adult or child sexual assault, incest, assault, rape, domestic violence, DUI/DWI, elder assault or abuse, survivors of homicide, or any other serious crime, you may be eligible for state compensation through the Victims of Crime Compensation Program (VOCA).
The program allows the state to ease the financial losses of a violent crime. A police report must be filed within five days and a claim within one year.
Compensable crimes include an intentional, knowing or reckless act by a person resulting in serious bodily injury or death of a person that could be punishable as a crime. The victim must cooperate fully to apprehend and prosecute the assailant and cannot be involved in a wrongful act or have provoked the assailant.
Compensation for these crimes can vary, but victims may be compensated up to $20,000 for reasonable medical and/or counseling expenses, such as mental health counseling, medically necessary devices, documented loss of support or earnings provided you filed an earnings or income tax return if you are self employed, rehabilitation expenses, counseling for children of assaults or who have experienced domestic violence for up to 45 years, even counseling for a person or friend who discovered a deceased body.
Other compensation is up to $2,000 for funeral expenses. VOCA will pay for the first sexual assault examination up to $300 for the forensic removal of crime-scene evidence, such as bedding.
You can also call the following help lines: National Organization of Victim Assistance at 1-800-879-6782. Crime Victim Compensation Program at 1-800-799-7233.
Juliene Cross
Betty Wayman
Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538
Recession reprieve
Dear Editor,
On April 12th and 13th, the Spring Valley Area Adult Community Choir, director Cindy Kongshaug, along with the Over 50's Band and Trigger Happy with special guest Robert Edwards, reprieved Spring Valley of any slowdown of energy and professionalism. The expression of talent generated from the volunteer residents is totally amazing. While society seems to emphasize "me", these musically talented individuals focus more on "thee."
As other communities scramble to find a niche for a means of an economic stimulus, Cindy, the choir, and the bands realize that the longest journey starts with the first step and economic stimulus starts with positive-minded people working together.
On behalf of the Spring Valley area, I would like to thank you Adult Community Choir, Over 50's Band, Trigger Happy, Robert Edwards, and especially Cindy, for a job well done.
Tony R. Huppert
Spring Valley
Firings blow ill-will, he says
Dear Editor,
Weather czar Paul Douglas reveled in referencing El Nino to explain global consequences. An El Nino storm begins in tropical Pacific and funnels ill-wind from CBS over WCCO-TV airwaves - enough for them to blow Paul and John Reger away. Who's next?
Tuning to KTCA we caught a "Horizon" report from Peru about an ancient Moche civilization that was decimated 600 a.d. An El Nino wiped-out the entire tribe! WCCO-TV's tribal elders - Paul and John - will rise again from the ashes in CB$ wake.
From the brother of Robert L. Montgomery, a.k.a. Bob White, Big Bill Cash and Captain Bob at WCCO radio and television during a more civil era.
Paul Montgomery
Prescott
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