Letters to the Editor

A well-known radio personality used to talk about “the rest of the story.” This saying needs to be applied to the District 20 superintendent of schools.

During a recent group tour of the school complex, the superintendent spent time describing how low the cost per student is. What he failed to mention is that the numbers he was boasting about do not include the capital cost of bond issue repayment. When asked about whether the numbers he was so proud of included the bond repayment costs, he said no, and brushed off the question and quickly moved on to something else.

An analysis of my tax statement on the family farm shows that the bond repayment adds nearly another 25% to the taxes collected by District 20. Does the claim made about being the lowest per student cost among over 200 other schools still apply when “the rest of the story” is considered? That question needs to be answered honestly and publicly.

I think the whole truth needs to be told, not just that part which sounds so good. After all, taxpayers pay the entire bill and not just the part which “sounds good.” Of course, if he would like to remove the rest from my tax bill, then I would be quite happy to use that money for something else.

Public officials have an obligation to be totally honest with the public. I strongly suggest that it is time the superintendent of  District 20 begin to be totally honest on such matters and not essentially deceive the public. While it may look good on his resume when he moves on, it essentially harms the taxpayer.

Ron Klein, Berthoud, CO

Editor’s note: The taxpayers of District 20, on March 27, 2001, approved an $11.4 million bond issue to build a new junior-senior high school. A total of 68% of those voting approving the project which passed 1016-478.

A letter in The Times (03-02-11) stated that we haven’t heard much squawking “about us giving Egypt $1.3 billion per year in aid.” This is not the kind of thing our government advertises in the paper. It’s likely most people didn’t know about it before the protesting erupted in Egypt.

Ever since Israel’s creation, they had been “at war” with Egypt. In 1978, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signed the Camp David Accord. This brought about a peace treaty that has lasted up until this time. However, in 1981 Sadat was assassinated by the Muslim Brotherhood.

Not wanting to re-create how Jimmy Carter single-handedly brought back the radical Muslim presence in Iran (which spread throughout the middle east), the U.S. wanted to keep the peace between Egypt and Israel. Like always, the plan was to throw money at it. The total aid was closer to $2 billion/yr. with $1.3 billion going to the military.

While the military funding has remained intact over the years, aid to the people has been in decline. Sadat’s successor Hosni Mubarak, has not been an ideal example of humanitarianism toward his people. President Bush tried to correct this by direct funding for civil society groups and democracy building programs through non-governmental organizations (NGO’s). It was having an effect until...

Barack Obama immediately cut funding for democracy promotion by 50% civil society funding by 70% and eliminated money given directly to civil society groups altogether.

What effect did that have? If you remember, the protests started out because the people wanted food. The protests were quickly ratcheted up into riots by groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood. How were they able to mobilize so quickly?

After six days in office, Obama gave his first interview to Al Arabiya, starting out by saying “...all too often the United States starts by dictating.” He went on to say that his job “...is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people.” Then said “We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect.” He also said “...America was not born as a colonial power...”

What he was saying was, as bumbling fools, America really should stop harassing warm and fuzzy Muslims—you have our permission to do whatever you want.

Five months later, Obama was off to Cairo where he addressed the Muslim world. He insisted that 10 members of the Muslim Brotherhood be in attendance. I guess it figures that our community agitator, would also want to surround himself with terrorists when going global.

You can make your determinations about what they discussed privately. I think it’s pretty evident. Maybe the U.S. didn’t keep a good “handle” on how our money was being used in Egypt. Maybe Mubarak wasn’t the best leader for their country. At least there was peace. Now that Mubarak is gone, it is unsure who will eventually come to power. What does Obama want to do? He wants to give them more money.

Neil A. Davis, Gothenburg

Americans—we’re a republic.

Wake up please, and read your Constitution.

Article IV, Section 4 reads: “The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a Republican form of government.” The article refers to a republic—limited government, not a democracy—majority rule, mob rule.

No where in our Constitution is democracy mentioned, nor the words “separation of church and state.”

Could it be that liberal politicians—always promoting more government and taxes—over the decades, have “snookered” us into thinking we’re a democracy? Let the reader decide.

Whistling the Battle Hymn of the Republic, reflect upon the Texas Republic, Republic in California’s state flag, and Franklin’s answering a lady’s question, “a Republic ma’am if you can keep it.”

Support Republicanism—work for less government, less taxes, more responsibility and, with God’s help, a better world! Example: ask oppressors: “Sir/Ma’am, are you aware of any law that gives you or your agency legislative jurisdiction over me? Show me.”

We’re a republic, not a democracy. Let’s keep it that way as in our flag salute!

Dr. Allen R. Geiken (Ret.), Gothenburg

We appreciate everyone who recently gave cloth items to help the tornado victims in Joplin, MO.

With your sincere generosity, the donations that were given far exceeded our expectations. Nearly 16,000 pounds and 25,000 items were taken to Joplin on Friday, June 10.

We appreciate that Kassy has a place of work that allowed her to collect items for this drive. We would also like to thank the following communities for their support for those in need: Gothenburg, Cozad, Brady, Callaway, Eustis, Farnam, Lexington and Holdrege. We are grateful to Robert Litzenburger at Peterson’s Supermarket and Tom at Erickson’s Furniture of North Platte for collecting boxes for our cause.

Special appreciation goes to Ann Kauffman and Tammy Knauss of Cozad, Pat Potter of Willow Island, Tim Schmeeckle for his trailer, Jo Johnson of Land O Lakes, First State Bank, Gothenburg Times, KRVN Radio, Gothenburg Tire, Horizon Ag and Pony Express Chevrolet.

When we started this cloth drive, we had no idea it would turn out this way. We are truly amazed by the outpouring of generosity. When we left for Joplin, we had no idea what we would find. Pictures on TV cannot even begin to describe the devastation. Words cannot tell everyone what we saw. The amount of loss is overwhelming. The cloth items that we took as a small community does not begin to make a small dent in what Joplin needs.

The hours spent sorting all of these items before boxing them up were greatly appreciated by the Salvation Army. They wanted good, clean items and, thanks to your amazing generosity, that is what they got.

Craig and Kassy Wilson