Letter to the Editor

Rants out of place

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Dear Editor,

I am a native of McCook, having been born and raised a Bison through and through. I remain loyal and continue to be interested in my hometown. That's why I'm writing this letter to the editor.

I am not certain why The Gazette continues to publish the Dick Trail columns with his partisan political diatribes. I find his recent ones related to his flying experiences entertaining but his political rants seem out of place. His political philosophy seems that of a libertarian opposed to all government spending, which is surprising given his background.

First, Dick's education was paid for by the taxpayers when he attended the Air Force Academy. After graduation he served our country with distinction as a pilot in the Air Force, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.

In both active duty and now in retirement he has received his pay and retirement benefits from the federal government. In addition to his health care while in the service and now whether through TriCare (military government health insurance) or Medicare, he continues to receive health care from the government.

What puzzles me is how someone who has both served and benefited from our government can be so opposed to the government lending a helping hand to those Americans who have lost their jobs or are unable to obtain health insurance coverage.

Rick Poore

Lincoln

Comments
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  • There's an idea, anyone receiving government benefits but not providing a service should have to enlist in the military. The military is always hiring too.

    -- Posted by McCook1 on Tue, Sep 14, 2010, at 1:08 PM
  • It's called freedom of speech. But as far as people who lose their jobs and unable to get health coverage? Have some morality and stop depending on others to bail you out. Work. There is work out there. You just have to look a little harder and maybe it won't be as luxurious as your past jobs nor pay as much, but at least it's a job that you and your family can be proud to say that you aren't supported by the government. There are too many free loaders in this country.

    -- Posted by FNLYHOME on Tue, Sep 14, 2010, at 2:00 PM
  • Dear Mr. Poore. I am saddened that you feel Dick Trail wasted your tax dollars, what with being on the Military 'Dole,' gaining an education, learning to fly, feeding his family, being gone from his family for long, or hazardous, or isolated tours of duty (of course, seeing the world on the tax-payers pocketbook). Yeah, them guys and gals who kept you free enough to have a First Amendment Right, should learn to keep their mouths shut, no matter how many people tried to kill him and his type, so they could take away your ....you get the idea....

    Dick Trail probably had more Aircraft try to kill him than you've had fender-benders, but who is counting, not Lieutenant Colonel Trail.

    Having served, not only in the Military, protecting you, but in local Government, trying to give your taxes more 'bang for the buck' (military humor there), Dick may well have just earned the right (you know, the one he protected for you, me, and himself) to voice his opinion.

    Nuff-said.

    Respectfully offered. Arley Steinhour Radio Chief Petty Officer, USN(submarine force) (also Retired, and on the 'Dole')

    -- Posted by Navyblue on Tue, Sep 14, 2010, at 6:49 PM
  • Keep up the good work Dick, also retired on on the dole. AVCM USN

    -- Posted by geewhiz on Wed, Sep 15, 2010, at 10:05 AM
  • No where in Mr. Poore's letter does he say he thought Dick Trail wasted tax dollars. So I don't understand why Mr. Navyblue says that's what Mr. Poore said. I'm sad that reading and comprehending is so very difficult for many people.

    -- Posted by Grandma B on Wed, Sep 15, 2010, at 10:11 AM
  • Dear Grandma B, I'm sorry, but I did not use the word 'wasted,' but did interject the word 'dole.' Apparently, you and I see different meaning in Mr. Poore's words, which is fine.

    I can only say that over the years, so many normally 'fine' folk develop the concept that being in the Military is more 'vacation/welfare' than hazardous duty.

    I do not have the space to explain why I feel as I do about words used in a derogatory application about Service to Country, but I do. I did not, and do not speak for any person other than myself, especially Mr Trail, my friend.

    I, too, am sad that reading and comprehending is so very difficult for many people, with contextual perception usually being the culprit.

    The intent of the author, and perception of the reader, are often at loggerheads.

    May we all enjoy the 'forgiveness' party we will all be required to attend, once we graduate to Jesus, and Home.

    -- Posted by Navyblue on Wed, Sep 15, 2010, at 1:42 PM
  • *

    Heaven forbid if everyone in this country had a mindset like Rick Poore.

    Just another Liberal spreading venom whenever he can.

    Well said Navy Blue and a big thank you to you, Mr. Trail and others for their military service.

    -- Posted by ksfarmer on Wed, Sep 15, 2010, at 4:34 PM
  • Dear Mr. Navyblue. In your first sentence you say, "I am saddened that you feel Dick Trail wasted your tax dollars." Then you reply to me by saying, "I did not use the word wasted."

    -- Posted by Grandma B on Fri, Sep 17, 2010, at 9:39 AM
  • Dear Grandma B. I owe you an apology. I went back to see, after reading your words, and still missed my use of the word 'wasted.' I guess that is how blind a biased opinion can be, and I stand corrected. I do not, however withdraw my opinion about what I saw in Mr Poores words. Maybe next time I will better say how I fees without error.

    -- Posted by Navyblue on Fri, Sep 17, 2010, at 8:43 PM
  • Mr navy blue. You read quite a bit into my letter that is not there. At no time did I say or imply that Mr. Trail wasted my tax money. Quite to the contrary, I believe he earned every benefit he received for his service. That is, of course, the whole point of my letter. His service was honorable and deserving of our respect as is all those who step forward and takes the oath to defend this country.

    I find it odd that a person who so distains government has actually relied on government for his security and have pointed out, as is my right, the irony in his comments.

    Biting the hand that feeds you is one thing that comes to mind.

    The benefits he has received have been administered by Republican and Democrat administrations alike so is not a political issue.

    It would be nice to hear him comment on the fact that government can actually work for it's citizens sometimes - that it has a valid place in our lives and that place requires investment.

    From your comments and the comments made over time by Mr. Trail, I can only ascertain that you believe Socialism is money someone else gets from the government.

    I don't think that is a tenable position to take but you're welcome to it. It's your right.

    -- Posted by rickpoore on Sun, Sep 19, 2010, at 12:58 PM
  • Not to mention all the federal farms subsidies he receives.

    -- Posted by BuffRoam on Mon, Sep 20, 2010, at 10:07 PM
  • Hi Rick!

    -- Posted by Rikkadog on Fri, Sep 24, 2010, at 10:59 AM
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