Thoughts from a Scouter’s wife

My husband, Gene, had a Scoutmaster in St. Louis who believed in seeing that his boys maintain their membership in the troop while in college or the service so they could help with the troop in the summertime.

There was such a bond between these Scouts that one of them, who became a Methodist minister, gathered together about 12 original Scouts, eight years ago, for a periodic reunion. They celebrated the anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition by camping at the campsite where Lewis and Clark began their trip.

Gene was awarded his 65-year pin in 2002.

Our first home with Alcoa was in Maryville, Tenn., followed by Port Lavaca, Texas; Massena, N.Y.; Vancouver and finally Wenatchee.

Of all the BSA Councils where Gene was a “volunteer”, this is the only district which has a Scout camp that is easily accessible.

Gene, for 31 years of his life, helped with training courses in the Council as well as the as well as the Northwest Area and the Western Region. His most enjoyable times were helping at Scout-A-Vista with: Cub Scout Day Camp; Webelos Resident Camp; Junior Leader Training; Brown Sea Camp and Adult Wood Badge Training.

Our thanks to all the dedicated Scouters and God bless the boys who deserve the very best in training and fun they can have at Scout-A-Vista. Please help us keep it.

Norma Vanderheyden

Wenatchee

Don’t blame unions

Tracy Warner’s editorial and Mike Sprague’s letter to the Safety Valve Nov. 3 seemed harsh and both missed the point. Mr. Sprague is absolutely correct that everyone should be paid for their services, but there are certain services which, if prohibitively high, interfere with our ability to fulfill our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Although Canada and Great Britain have some problems with their health care systems, they are still cheaper and have better long-term outcomes than our health care. There are plenty of other government-run health care systems in the world that can run circles around our private care.

Please Tracy, Boeing has been a different company since the McDonald Douglas buyout. Former and present employees know Boeing used to be a great place to work; employees took pride in the product they produced. Boeing has always had its ups and downs but the primary concern was always to make a quality product, then take good care of their customers. Now there is a feeling that the only important thing is the bottom line.

We all know what is bad about unions — too big, too demanding, etc. But before we get rid of the bums, let’s remember who helped workers get health care, the 40-hour work week, paid vacations, retirement benefits, overtime, etc. Companies are not tethered to communities that helped make them great — good schools, a mild climate or loyalty are not important — the bottom line is the big deal. One can only hope this isn’t the mother of all bad decisions made by a company that hasn’t been able to manage its way to an on-time finish and delivery of the 787. Maybe everyone can move south, work with no benefits, no security, and no money to fly anywhere.

Connie Fliegel

Quincy

Justifier of the unjust

Earlier this year the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) tried to force Wenatchee libraries to unlock their computers, which could have left them open to misuse by minors. Why would the ACLU care about Wenatchee library computers? Because someone wanted to go to pro-gun Web sites and the library, by locking their computers, took away that person’s civil right to do so. What galls me about this is the ACLU is well known to be anti-gun and pro gun control. Does anyone besides me see the hypocrisy in this?

A more recent project of the ACLU is trying to get a cross removed from a lonely stretch of Arizona highway. The group, which boasts to be a purveyor of religious freedom, is constantly embroiled in removing Christian symbols somewhere across this nation. Once again: hypocrisy.

The bottom line is that the ACLU doesn’t really stand for anything except to take the side of the underdog even if said underdog is a moral and societal reprobate. All you card-carrying members, did you know that your dues went to represent the rights of homosexual pedophiles? Did you know that when the ACLU sues your government on behalf of some aliens that our law-keepers were trying to deport, win or lose, we pay the legal fees out of our tax dollars?

Under the guise of “church/state separation,” the ACLU has picked up the cause of all frustrated atheists to get the Bible removed from schools and the Ten Commandments removed from public buildings. Under the guise of “defending the downtrodden,” the ACLU has become the justifier of the unjust, protector of the perpetrator and quite possibly the most amoral institution in this country. They give voice to those who would morally, socially, politically and civilly undermine this nation and its values.

Tim Lamb

Ephrata

We are sheep

As the saying goes, “Behold, I send you out as sheep amidst the wolves.”

Well, all of the sheep who were for Obama are in the wolf den now. He is bankrupting the economy, and little by little, is selling off pieces of U.S. businesses. He is raising taxes soon, while taking away our rights.

It’s time to get him out of office and bring back jobs. Also, get the troops out of the Middle East, and let the people there kill themselves off.

Gary Coffey

Orondo

Letters policy

All letters must include the author’s signature, address and telephone number. There is a 300-word limit, and all letters are subject to editing.

Only one letter per author will be published each 30 days.

Send letters to The Safety Valve, Box 1511, Wenatchee, WA 98807.

Fax letters to 665-1183, e-mail to Newsroom@wenworld.com, or use the form at www.wenatcheeworld.com.