Published: November 17, 2008 03:25 pm            

In Your View — 11/18/08

We’re progressing but have far to go

This regards the negative opinions expressed concerning the presidential election. I have never heard nor witnessed such outrageous, unacceptable, tasteless, sarcastic comments from a bunch of sore losers.

I thought when Barack Obama was elected — meaning chosen by a vote of the people — it would bring change to our country. But I forgot about the narrow-minded people who live right here in our community who cannot get past bigotry.

If John McCain had been a black American Republican and Barack Obama happened to be a white American, who would people have voted for then? Hmm, it’s something to think about.

I am a Christian and I feel sorry for the weak-minded people who think that once they leave this life and cross over that they are going to be judged by a different God than mine.

I believe that we as a people have made progress and are headed in the right direction — but we still have a long way to go.

Beverly Edwards, Ashland



Physician, family need our support

There is a burden on my heart. One of my buddies has fallen victim to the evil power that drugs possess. In my opinion, this insidious power had its origin in the very pits of hell.

He’s a good man, a good citizen, a good neighbor, a loyal supporter of our schools, a good husband and dad, and, let’s not forget, a brilliant physician. The list of positive attributes does not end there by any means. I could sense the presence of his professional ability as he cared for my mom late one night in the hospital. He was so wise, so caring, so professional, yet so down to earth. Friends, he is the total package — a “keeper.”

Let’s band together and do whatever it takes to support this family through these trying times. What a person is made of becomes clear when trials come, and they do come for all of us. Despite this error in judgment, we know what John Van Deren is made of. What about us? What are we made of? This family needs us — now. Let’s be faithful and love them through this challenge.

John Norman, Russell



Diabetes in U.S. rapidly on the rise

Recent news reports have identified diabetes as the fastest growing health problem in this country. Currently, 23.6 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, and approximately every 20 seconds, someone else develops this life-altering disease.

It is estimated that one in three children born after the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. The latest statistics show that diabetes costs the United States $174 billion annually, and that figure is expected to grow.

November has been designated American Diabetes Month and is a time to raise awareness about the extent and seriousness of this disease, as well as its deadly complications. Before this health crisis escalates further, we need to convey to President-elect Obama and the new Congress that diabetes is a costly and devastating disease, urging them to join the fight to curb the diabetes epidemic in the United States.

If we fail to act in this regard, we will face a health crisis in this country that will have far reaching consequences that will not be measured in dollars but in human loss of productivity, quality of life and deaths.

Jennifer Honaker, Huntington, W.Va.

        

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