Forget the puppies

Posted Monday, October 19, 2009, at 9:50 AM

In the comments of my last blog, I said I'd write my next blog about puppies. Puppies seemed like a nice, innocuous topic that we could all agree on, right? Then, just when I was getting ready to write a blog about puppies, our city was in the middle of a debate about new pet licensing requirements--a debate that got so heated, it made solving our national healthcare problems look like first grade addition. Okay forget the puppies. Is there anything Americans can agree on these days?

You would never know the presidential election was almost a year ago. With the economic woes, bailouts and proposed healthcare reform, we have never stopped yelling at each other and pointing our fingers. The vast amounts of political crankiness have given me a case of writer's block. Normally, if I'm not blogging, I'm working on other projects: writing for other websites, fiction, lists of chores for the kids, grocery lists. Lately, even scratching out that grocery list has become daunting. Now, I just aimlessly wander the newly remodeled aisles of Walmart and hope I stumble across some of the foods my kids actually eat. I'm not sure why that's Washington's fault, but hand that question over to the talking heads at Fox and CNN, and I'm sure they'll find an expert with the answer and which politician to blame.

Can we find an issue to agree on? How about the eradication of a disease from the entire planet? In January 2009, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded Rotary International a $255 million grant for polio eradication, which Rotary will match with $100 million raised by its members and supporters worldwide. If there is a cooler way to spend one's wealth than the eradication of a disease, I haven't thought of one.

Can we really eradicate polio for good? Absolutely! When Rotary began its eradication work in 1985, more than 350,000 children per year were infected with polio. In 2008, fewer than 2,000 cases were reported worldwide. We are so close to eliminating polio from the last four polio-endemic countries of Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan. To achieve this goal, every rotary club has been asked to contribute with its own local fundraising and polio awareness activities on October 24th for World Polio Day.

On October 23rd, McCook High School's Interact Club members will be speaking to children at McCook Elementary about the Purple Pinkie Project. In parts of the world where polio remains, children receiving the vaccine have a finger dipped in purple dye to avoid accidentally receiving more than one vaccine dose. With parents' permission, any child at McCook Elementary can have a finger dyed purple. The dye wears off in a few days, and it gives our children a lesson about how local volunteer work makes a difference worldwide. Free will donations for this project are appreciated, as every $1.00 raised covers the cost of one dose of polio vaccine.

On October 24th, McCook Rotary is sponsoring the End Polio Now 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run. The registration fee is $20, and proceeds from the race will go toward Rotary International's PolioPlus Fund. Registrations can be turned in to Hinze Chiropractic, or on race day, registration will occur from 6:30 to 7:30 am in the United Methodist Church parking lot. The free kids fun run starts at 7:45 am, and the 5K starts at 8:00. This will be a great family event, welcoming all fitness levels. For any questions, call 345-8699, or e-mail lorihinze@mccooknet.com.

I hope blog readers will forgive this long, charity-pushing plug. To make it up to you, here is a link to a video I received from a friend on Facebook. Grab a kleenex, and prepare to be motivated!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJMbk9dtpdY&feature=related

Comments

View 6 comments

Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

Ms. Savery-Hinze - the charities that you talk about are very worthwhile. Thanks for mentioning them.

I want to address the other theme in your blog post, "...we have never stopped yelling at each other and pointing our fingers." Is there never a time when it is appropriate to yell and point the finger? How about when politicians are robbing our children blind? Is it okay then to yell? How about when the President hires dozens of Czars, pays them well, and gives them billions of our dollars to spend as they see fit. Many of these advisers are Communists, radicals, and pro-abortion zealots. Is it okay to point a finger at this Ms. Savery-Hinze?

I could go on, with example after example of what is occurring in America today. I see people try and point out that there is a dangerous situation brewing out there that effects all our lives. So, I know I can always count on people coming along and whining. Yes, I said whining. You act like the people ringing the alarm are at fault. Would you have told Paul Revere to shut up?

Do not think I am picking on just you. Brian Hoag does some of the same thing. I know it unpleasant that we have a President and current Congress that want to harm the country. Gee Willikers Batman, I wish it wasn't so. Please don't look down your nose, you or Brian, at those brave people who sound the alarm. I am sure they would rather be doing something else as well.

-- Posted by CandyKilroy on Mon, Oct 19, 2009, at 11:30 AM
Candy,

When it comes to slavering generalities, you do deserve an award.

Couple of small details seem to have escaped you. Most of the so-called Czars are pure capitalist business, industry and finance leaders -- nationally and globally recognized.

A good many of them are accepting the magnificent sum of $1 per year to make their employment legal.

Their status is that of Advisor to the President.

Meaning, they can suggest action, the President signs the papers after review.

While you are raving about this administration's spending == it might help to review actual history, rather than reinforce your fantasies.

With George Herbert Walker Bush and George DubYah Bush -- This country received two severe depressions [Remember the 1980s Farm Auctions and foreclosures, the small business and home foreclosures, total shutdowns of western agriculture, metals mining, timber and oil exploration.] -- and where we were in 2008.

Oh yes, the two shining Bush lights contributed a few wars -- The first Persian Gulf War, where we walked away with Sadaam and the Bath Butchers in full control, Grenada, Somalia, Panama, and the wonderful success of seven years in Afghanistan and six years in Iraq -- with conditions far worse in Afghanistan and Pakistan at the end of 2008 than at the end of 2003, thanks to the pursuit of WMDs in Iraq.

While North Korea and Iran continued nuclear development and Pakistan created nuclear weapons during the Reagan/Bush regime.

Don't forget all those tax cuts for the super-wealthy, which coupled with both Bush's reckless spending has resulted in an acceptable GOP national debt.

Where were we at the end of 2008.

Oh yes -- Slightly more than $50-TRILLION.

$26-TRILLION accumulated by DUBYAH AND THE DRAFT DODGERS, after that reckless spending Democrat, Clinton, cut the debt by $500-BILLION and balanced the federal budget.

Oh yes, don't forget the $20-TRILLION piled up by Papa Bush.

Meantime -- Let us be sure and forget the $100-BILLION U.S. Army Auditors identified as being fraud perpetrated by "Shotgun" Cheney's old BROWN-ROOT & KELLOG cronies in Iraq -- That's the place where more than three dozen U.S. Servicemen have been electrocuted from faulty wiring in KBR built facilities and where YOU and ME have paid dear old super-patriotic KBR $100 daily to provide 1,000 to 1,400 calorie daily rations to our service people to sustain them in their 14-20 hour days.

That's not even considering the Billions KBR and Cheney's other cronies at Haliburton skimmed from Hurricane Katrina relief while doing next to nothing. [Notice last week, the folks in New Orleans, including the Republican Governor, Bobby, grateful that $1.5-Billion had been cleared of red tape after four years.]

Really wierd, direct payment to Haliburton and KBR of Billions, actual relief tied up in red tape.

In your genius, Candy, maybe you can explain.

But for Heaven's Sake, Candy, let's invent lies about the present administration to conceal the lies, thefts, fraud and corruption of the guys you seem to adore.

Too bad, DubYah is off riding his mountain bike and can't pardon his old honored White House guests from Enron. [You do remember those good ol' Houston boys who carried White House VIP Credentials -- now don't you, Candy.

-- Posted by HerndonHank on Mon, Oct 19, 2009, at 2:47 PM
Great job of keeping the public aware that polio still exists, despite our best effort to eradicate this disease.

herdonhank, your vile hatred of the past does not belong on Lori's blog. If you want to spread your stench, go to Sam's or mike's blogs. I ask you, old man, who's life ever got better by pursuing the past. Yours didn't.

Keep up the great work Lori, smile, laugh and have a great life.

-- Posted by Hugh Jassle on Mon, Oct 19, 2009, at 10:07 PM
Fredd, after looking through dictionary.com, I must point out that your definition of the word "intelligent" is incorrect. None of the definitions listed include "agrees with the user's political views." It would be appreciated if you would start using the dictionary more often before posting.

It's good to see such progress being made on ridding the world of diseases. Thank God for dedicated medical scientists and the people that support them.

-- Posted by bjo on Tue, Oct 20, 2009, at 11:23 AM
LORI - thanks for an excellent post. My aunt contracted polio as a child. She finished high school from a hospital bad. The Polio severely damaged her leg, and she has always walked with difficulty.

I understand a bit what Candy was sayin'. Sometimes it seems like folks would rather shoot the messenger than hear the message.

I understand that politics has become a blood sport. I would rather write about trees and flowers and all good things, trust me, however, our nation is under attack, in my opinion. I see dire circumstances in our not so distant future. So I sound the alarm.

I look forward to a day when politicians on both sides decide to act honorably and protect the Constitution.

Thanks again for your thoughts. God Bless.

-- Posted by sameldridge on Thu, Oct 22, 2009, at 3:07 PM
HerndonHank, I do recognize a bitter old man when I hear one.

-- Posted by CandyKilroy on Sat, Oct 24, 2009, at 2:22 PM

Respond to this blog

Posting a comment requires free registration:

If you already have an account, follow this link to login
Otherwise, follow this link to register