110 W. New York Ave., DeLand, FL
386-734-4622
Republican lies
posted Feb 18, 2010 - 5:21:14pm
Editor, The Beacon:
If I may, again, paraphrase Mark Twain: Suppose you are a Republican. Now suppose you are a prevaricator of the highest order. But, I repeat myself.
Mitch McConnell, minority leader in the U.S. Senate, said, "As I have said many times before, the best way to address the crisis [budget deficit and financial] is the Conrad-Gregg proposal. ... It deserves support from both sides of the aisle." Then, when it came up for a vote last week, he, along with six other Republican sponsors of the bill, voted against it.
John Boehner, minority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, said, "We were completely shut out of the process, denied any input." This was in reference to the House health-care reform bill, which had 173 Republican amendments. I'm not sure how many they proposed that were voted down, but 173 were accepted, and that's a whole lot more than "We were completely shut out of the process, denied any input."
Anything less than 100-percent acceptance seems to mean "denied input" to these clowns.
Dick Cheney proved you can lie in the face of the American people, and they will accept it. Remember him telling John Edwards at the vice-presidential debate, "Senator, before you walked out on this stage, I had never seen your face"? Then, seeing video of them shaking hands on at least three occasions prior to the debate?
There are hundreds of examples of Republican elected officials lying in the face of the American people (Sen. Grassley: "I'm bargaining in good faith with Sen. Baucus," and "They're gonna pull the plug on Grandma").
It seems, to their constituency, ideology is more important than the truth. We get what we deserve when we vote these people in.
Russ White
Orange City
En route to inflation
posted Feb 18, 2010 - 5:09:01pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Mr. Obama has set his sights on devouring the entire free-enterprise system. In his first 100 days as president, Obama took over two major automakers and nearly 600 banks, tried to run blue-chip companies, and nearly stopped the U.S. credit industry.
He has spent $800 billion of our money to load up his Washington coffers, and now he's now looking for more spending.
There is only one way for the president to pay for this black hole, and you know what it is. He will get those presses rolling and print trillions of inflated dollars.
I will predict now that, next year, we will have massive inflation, and even you liberals will be mad. At least, we'll have this until the 2010 mid-term elections come along, and we Americans can send him a "slim-down or else" message.
James S. Mize
DeLand
A kinder approach
posted Feb 18, 2010 - 5:04:22pm
Editor, The Beacon:
The Feb 1 edition had a letter written by Anna Santilli. It was not a typical "it's Bush's fault" letter. It had class, although it still was a Bush's-fault letter.
The main theme was, the tea-baggers are antagonistic, noisy-gong-type people, with no answers or directives to our current state of affairs.
Ms. Santilli admitted there is something very wrong with our country. She also admitted there is corruption with our elected officials, when she asked "Why is there corruption?"
I agree with her that Bush spent like a drunken sailor, and drove up a deficit, over his eight years. That does not excuse our current leader for his wasteful spending and pork-barrel bribing to get what he wants.
Obama has far passed the eight-year spending of Bush, in one short year. Why are liberals giving him a pass, but holding Bush's feet to the fire?
The Bush tax cuts did benefit people who are producing income, but nothing is said about the tax credits given in the form of cash back to those who never paid taxes. Let's be fair and let criticism land on the heads of all who are not doing a good job of managing the country's business.
The Tea Party movement is a group of concerned citizens who are frustrated to see their children and grandchildren burdened with a bill they can not pay.
Ms. Santilli said what we need to do is to have serious people present input to resolve our problems. The Tea Party participants are very serious, and they are presenting input. The trouble is, liberals do not consider their input important!
Walt Mentzer
DeLand
Tell the whole story of Tebow and CBS
posted Feb 18, 2010 - 4:44:45pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Mr. Rauschenberger's Feb. 15 column, while it does not seem to contain any specific factual errors, is unforgivably disingenuous in what it does not say about the "Tebow" ad that aired during the Super Bowl.
CBS has a long and well-known history of rejecting all "advocacy" ads. The cries of protest over the Tebow ad were a response to an abrupt about-face in this longstanding policy.
Why would any advocacy group even attempt to submit an ad to CBS in 2010, when CBS has consistently rejected ads from progressive groups for years? And, why wouldn't such groups be incensed to discover, at the 11th hour, that the rules had suddenly changed for their conservative counterparts?
Only since the wave of protest washed over their corporate headquarters has CBS actually come out and stated that their policy is changing.
Further, I encourage Mr. Rauschenberger to read Planned Parenthood's official response to the Tebow ad, which, in summary, applauds Mrs. Tebow for exercising her right to choose.
Her story is precisely in line with the values held most dear by pro-choice advocates — that the decision is, and must be, ultimately up to each individual woman and the best judgment of her own heart and mind.
The point of disagreement in the ad is not whether Mrs. Tebow made the right choice for herself, it's whether she (or anyone) has the right to make that choice for someone else.
Now, to be "fair and balanced," I must say there's one thing you and I can agree about, David: Orange City High School.
Tracy Lunquist
DeLand
Check those utility bills
posted Feb 18, 2010 - 4:39:11pm
Editor, The Beacon:
I hope this letter will remind people to question their utility bills. Last week, I received a delivery from a local propane company. The bill was on my door, and I had sticker shock when I saw the price per gallon was $5.56.
I contacted a competitor, and found out the price there was $3.07 per gallon. I then called my company, and just asked why the increase. They immediately said the bill was in error, and they would re-bill me at $3.87. No questions asked. I had a similar experience with them last January.
This made more than $100 difference on my bill!
My neighbor just had a delivery from the same company; her price per gallon was $6.25. I hope she will call, and I will be anxious to see what the corrected bill is.
I am certain there are many people who just pay the bill. I plan to pursue this matter, but in the meantime, please, check your utility bills. Ask questions!
Ruth Zimmerman
Orange City
Watch those prices carefully
posted Feb 18, 2010 - 3:38:42pm
Editor, The Beacon:
I wonder how many folks have been gypped on this one?
The McDonald's Double Cheeseburger costs 99 cents, right? Bought them for years at $1.07 with tax, right?
These clever devils raised the price to $1.19. With tax, it's $1.27. You would never catch that if you ordered fries and a Coke. I ordered only a Double Cheeseburger and was surprised to find it had gone up.
Now, to get a double cheeseburger for 99 cents, you have to order a McDouble Cheeseburger. It comes minus one piece of cheese. (They are proud of their cheese, at 20 cents a slice!)
The ethical thing for them to have done would have been to reduce the price of the McDouble Cheeseburger to, say, 79 cents, and kept the regular Double Cheeseburger at 99 cents, wouldn't you think?
I wonder how many folks have been clipped with this one? Darn few people have figured this out.
Sure, it's only pennies, but imagine how this little rip-off helps their bottom line. A damn 20 cents at a time!
Shame! Oh, well, many go through and don't order a drink because they don't like mostly ice with a little colored water. (Can you blame them?)
Remember (it wasn't very many years ago) when we got our money's worth?
Bill "Frogger" Henry
DeLand
More on Supreme Court ruling
posted Feb 18, 2010 - 3:12:52pm
Editor, The Beacon:
I take issue with John Walker's letter railing against Dave Rauschenberger's op-ed about the Supreme Court's reversal of the McCain-Feingold Act.
He states, without even researching the subject, but taking a liberal viewpoint, that foreigners can now contribute directly to a candidate for president of the United States.
Well, that is not exactly true. They cannot contribute directly but may be able to give copious sums to political candidates, like they did to Clinton and who knows who else.
So you see, the overturning of McCain-Feingold Act had little or nothing to do with foreign money indirectly contributed to political candidates. The Citizens United vs. FEC decision gives citizens the same right to do as the foreigners have, but they can do it legally.
As one of the so-called rabid conservatives Mr. Walker talks about, I would say to him, yes, I agree with Mr. Rauschenberger wholeheartedly, as "we the people" now can do what it is our right to do; a right that should never have been taken away in the first place.
Don Howell
DeLand
Safety through lawfulness
posted Feb 18, 2010 - 3:08:12pm
Editor, The Beacon:
The MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) and others with apparent qualifications do not speak to the practicality and common sense concerning "the missing link" Mr. Roy Walters addresses in his recent letter about the Glenwood portion of the Spring-to-Spring Trail.
Perhaps Mr. Walters has not witnessed portions of the trail that are complete with markings and stop signs at the crossings. Safety is a two-way street. Mr. Walters and motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists must observe and obey all traffic devices to ensure the safety of everyone.
In defensive-driving school, we were instructed to look both ways upon approaching a divided highway. There are even signs at some accesses to divided highways that advise "look left last."
Our county might do well being proactive, and considering the public-safety aspect of registering and licensing bicyclists (both serious and casual). If required, this would ensure the competency to own and operate a bicycle where public safety is concerned.
Option 5 for the Glenwood trail section will be safe, if all who use or cross over the trail will slow down, remain lawful and courteous, and use common sense.
— Van Cleef is an avid bicyclist and sportsman.
Deltona: Time to plan for upcoming elections
posted Feb 18, 2010 - 2:55:25pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Edward Bulwer-Lytton once wrote: “The pen is mightier than the sword.”
No truer words were ever said, especially when it comes to campaign time. Whether it is local Deltona elections, elections in neighboring cities, in Volusia County, or national elections, the statement holds true to form.
Soon, we will be inundated with campaign literature stating why we should choose one candidate over another. Literature and campaign advertising have, for centuries, given us our opportunity to be informed about candidates' qualifications and their stances on issues.
Herein lies the problem that we, as voters, need to address: How does one wade through the mounds of information to choose a good candidate? Is all the information true and factual? Can a candidate truly live up to all the promises?
These are the most important questions one needs to consider.
The bottom line is, there is no easy way to choose a good candidate, because what is "good" for one person may not be "good" for another.
Each person has his or her own thoughts and opinions. It is when differing opinions are not accepted that campaigns get nasty. Just because you disagree does not mean you are any less concerned about issues, but that you have different ideas about which issues are important or how they are addressed.
Are negative campaigns effective? Yes. Are they beneficial to the public in general? No. Are they an indicator of who is a better candidate? No.
Good candidates should stick to discussing issues. If candidates wish to attack each other on the issues, then all gloves are off and have at it! Family attacks or personal attacks (other than voting records or stances on issues) have no business in a campaign.
Campaign time is a time of information, both factual and false. How does one determine the truth? Unfortunately, this is left up to the voter to research.
Getting to know a candidate personally greatly assists in determining whether what is written is truth or fiction. It is great to meet candidates at small coffee gatherings or meet-and-greets, where you can have the opportunity to interact directly with the candidate. Take advantage of asking questions directly to the candidate. Meet them and decide for yourself.
Remember, you may not like the same candidate your friends and neighbors like. Opinions will differ, but the choice will always be yours and yours alone, regardless of the influences around you.
Can we believe the campaign promises? This question is a little bit easier to answer: Probably not. Not that candidates are not sincere in what they would like to do, but they are limited in their ability to get the results they are promising.
All candidates represent only one vote of a governing body, and cannot promise the governing body will vote in a particular way. It would be better if candidates, again, state what they would like to see happen, but remind people they will have only one vote.
The Deltona Citizens Action Committee (DCAC) stance on the upcoming Deltona municipal elections will continue as it has in the past. We welcome all candidates to post links to their campaign Web sites, where citizens can read background information and political stances on issues.
The DCAC will not be endorsing any candidates. We feel it is up to the individual voter to read the information and make his or her own choice.
— Schleicher is chairwoman of the Deltona Citizens Action Committee Inc.
Tea Party, 9.12 groups do more than make noise
posted Feb 18, 2010 - 2:45:23pm
Editor, The Beacon:
In response to the Anna Santilli letter, we (the 9.12 and Tea Party groups) do not just make noise.
Our goals are to unite, to educate, and to act. I think we will come to be known as the Anti-ACORN this year.
If you don't think we are doing anything, try to explain Scott Brown in Massachusetts. I will let you in on a few secrets. 9.12ers in Volusia County made phone calls for the Scott Brown campaign. The Tea Party Express was running local TV ads until all the slots were taken. The price for a local TV spot was almost as expensive as a national slot. Now all stations have times set aside time for local and national spots, so the Tea Party Express purchased national spots and flooded the airwaves with ads. I saw the ads on my local cable station in DeLand. I say this because there was not enough money to get a left-wing liberal politician elected. Even with a visit from the president, she still lost.
Watch the videos at www.massachusettsmiracle.com, and tell me how we only make noise (don't miss the second video).
We aren't waiting for Congress to make changes; we the people are doing it right now. People who don't understand the power of this movement will be wondering what happened by the end of this year.
If you really want to find out about our corrupt political system, go to www.ourcaucus.com and watch the videos there. Both parties are being bought and sold by the lobbyists, and our representatives listen to them, not to us.
Keith Wilson
DeLand
University High School principal speaks out about name
posted Feb 18, 2010 - 2:38:22pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Recently, there was an editorial that discussed the naming of Volusia County's newest high school, University High School.
The process for deciding the name of the school started by gathering suggestions from students, parents and the community. These 100-plus suggestions came in the form of letters, phone conversations, e-mails, suggestion boxes and face-to-face discussions.
From those suggestions, the cadre of teachers and staff discussed which name they felt would be best to represent the school, its mission, its vision, and other unique characteristics (notably its partnerships with the University of Central Florida, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and Stetson University).
That recommendation was submitted to the School Board to be voted upon, and was approved.
Understandably, not everyone is going to agree with the name chosen from such a vast array of suggestions from so many different perspectives.
University High School comprises a blend of different communities that are all equal stakeholders in creating a new school family that represents all the students, families and communities that are a part of the school. UHS will have approximately 900 students from Deltona, 600 students from DeBary, 500 students from Orange City, and 250 from unincorporated Volusia County.
A school becomes a success and source of pride for the community not by the name on the outside, but by the people on the inside.
Working cooperatively, in the best interest of our students, is now the mission of all the stakeholders who are a part of University High School. How wonderful that our students will be attending such a beautiful facility with advanced technologies, innovative programs of study, caring, competent teachers, and special partnerships with local universities.
We are truly fortunate to have this great opportunity to establish a new standard of excellence in secondary education and how we prepare our students for post-high school success, whether in college or the work force.
It is my honor and privilege to serve as the first principal of University High School. I look forward to working with all the students, parents and community members as, together, we create the kind of school where we feel connected and proud.
— Neal is principal of University High School in Orange City, which is planned to open this fall for the 2010-11 school year.
Waging futility
posted Feb 18, 2010 - 2:30:38pm
Editor, The Beacon:
I would like to congratulate Bill Hall on his recent article about the "art of war." It appears Liberal Bill has almost "grown a pair."
I should preface this with the disclosure that Bill and I are sort of friends, but we are very philosophically and politically opposed. My daughter says I am so far to the right, I took the left turn signal off my car, and Bill is, well, Bill.
I totally agree with the part of Bill's statement that we can't continue with the pussyfooting that has been our policy up to now. As Bill stated, in the past wars (that we won), we took a "scorched earth" approach. Think about it. After Harry Truman made the (correct) decision to nuke the Japs, nobody screwed with us for a long, long time.
I doubt Bill would agree with my approach to problem-solving in the Middle East (one word: boom). But, somewhere between the politically correct path we are taking and "boom," we have to "grow a pair," stop worrying about what all the European "pacifists" are whining about, and get tough.
Well, if there is anybody I have failed to offend, let me know; I'll get back to you.
Terry Jorgensen
DeLand
Do the paperwork, get a tax exemption
posted Feb 18, 2010 - 2:25:41pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Pastor Walt Mentzer finally gets it. He stated in his letter (Feb. 8-10 edition) that had he known of the free, fast ordinations offered by the Spiritual Humanist Church, he could have saved four years of study and a lot of money.
He has every right to be upset about having paid handsome sums to some religious organization so they could brainwash him into believing all those outlandish stories about ghosts, angels, trumpets, blowing walls down, one man building a huge boat and then capturing every animal (lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes and every other species) insect, bird, ants, worm and every other living thing on earth, and Jonah being swallowed by a whale and after a few days being spit out still alive. There are thousands of unbelievable stories Walt had to learn to believe, so it's no wonder he had to spend thousands of dollars to get them memorized.
Meanwhile, this Spiritual Humanist Church doesn't require anyone to learn anything, so that's why getting "ordained" is only a matter of paperwork, which is free and fast. If our goofy government chooses to give these kinds of churches tax-free status, it's no wonder many people will take advantage. Those folks see a way to make money, just as the large denominations already do.
By the way, Walt, there were more than 80 religious organizations listed in this last issue of The Beacon. The Spiritual Humanist Church was not among them. So we still have more than 80 western Volusia County churches not paying one penny of property taxes. That's a lot of money taxpayers have to pony up to carry the religious businesses. The only one you complained about was not even listed. Frank Scotton and I have every right to complain.
Edward J. Chapdelaine
Orange City
County Council supports Farmton with our money
posted Feb 17, 2010 - 9:40:00am
Editor, The Beacon:
Our County Council faces its high noon of planning decisions Thursday, Feb. 18, with both its guns holstered and aimed squarely at council members' collective feet.
The Farmton vote is probably the most lose-lose corner they could have wrangled themselves into, and they did it with both eyes open, tongues lolling out like drunken cowboys, oblivious of the impending doom.
The council pulled string after string to ensure that no matter what they do now, they are going to wind up in court, spending not their money, but your money and my money. They will spend our money either to subsidize the legal defense of the indefensible development, or wind up in court with the developer over what happens next.
These seemingly bright folk have asked all the wrong questions and ignored all the right answers from Day 1.
When the developer's legal team came to them to secure a 10-fold increase in density, to be allowed to build two cities in our Natural Resources Management Area (NRMA) where no cities are allowed, where there is a "no-school zone" established, to build roads in the NRMA, to add commercial retail space that will have a devastating effect on the values of all the unoccupied commercial space already available, to have a similar effect on private-residence property values, to add somewhere between 80,000 and 100,000 new water consumers (not only residents, but tourists, too) and where the comprehensive-plan language specifically states it is mandatory for a large developer to cluster his development and not build ranchettes, the Volusia County Council could have said, "No."
They could have said "No, the only way you can develop this property is to cluster your development near Edgewater and lose all development rights on all the rest of the property."
But did they do this? Our County Council? Of course not. They dedicated their entire staff to trying to make it happen, to find ways to name sprawl by a green name and, in the process, to probably double and maybe triple the value of the developer's land.
There should have been a clue at the first hearing when, in response to questions from Council Members Andy Kelly and Carl Persis, about why now, and why so much density, the answers were, respectively, because if Hometown Democracy passes, the public would never allow this, and, to make enough money to pay for the infrastructure.
So, their arguments are, the public wouldn't let them do it (it's not in the public interest, after all), and we need to make more money to pay for all the things we promised to do. Their circular logic is, let us destroy this part of NRMA so we can make money for destroying it!
The most bizarre was yet to come. At a County Council workshop, when questioned about the state Department of Community Affairs' 12 "Do not approve" messages in its review of Farmton, County Council attorney Jamie Seaman, said if she had had a deadline of Christmas Eve to get the report done, as the DCA had, she wouldn't have done much, either. She offered that, if County Council gave her the direction, she would write the language so it would satisfy DCA.
My guess is Ms. Seaman is going to find out the DCA did not slack off to meet a deadline. There will be a powerful lot of crow to be eaten, along with a good dose of humble pie — unfortunately, at our expense.
Eric West
Daytona Beach
Hard to keep up with what GOP thinks is right
posted Jan 14, 2010 - 2:49:30pm
Editor, The Beacon:
If I may paraphrase Mark Twain: Suppose you are a Republican. Now suppose you are a hypocrite. But, I repeat myself.
In December 2002, one Richard Reed attempted to blow up an American airliner with explosives secreted in his clothing. He became known as the "shoe bomber," and was tried and convicted of terrorism charges in an American civil court.
He will spend the rest of his misbegotten life in a maximum-security federal prison.
At the time, the Republicans boasted about how our justice system was the best in the world, and was perfect for dealing with issues such as those presented by Mr. Reed.
Fast forward to Christmas 2009. A Nigerian man attempts to blow up an American airliner with explosives secreted in his clothing. He will forevermore be known as the "Fruit of the Boom" bomber.
Just like Mr. Reed, he has been remanded to the American judicial system for resolution of his case. This time, however, it seems the Republicans have lost faith in the American system of justice. They are now screaming that military tribunals are the only place to adequately deal with situations like this, in spite of the fact that our judicial system has tried and convicted every terrorist subject remanded to it.
Just one more example of the political grandstanding and hypocrisy that exemplifies the Republican Party of today.
On another note, the suspect is providing significant, "actionable intelligence" to his interrogators, and we haven't water-boarded him, even once. That's got to be a major disappointment to ol' "five-deferment Dick" and his crowd of thugs.
Russ White
Orange City
Remember how hard we knew this would be
posted Jan 14, 2010 - 2:48:21pm
Editor, The Beacon:
A year ago, if we had read in the paper that employers were hiring again, that health-care legislation was proceeding without a bump, and that Afghanistan had suddenly become a nice place to take your kids, we would’ve known we were being lied to.
Back then, we recognized the problems Obama inherited as president wouldn’t go away overnight.
During his campaign, Obama clearly said an economy that took eight years to break couldn’t be fixed in a year, and that Afghanistan was a graveyard of empires and would not be an easy venture for us. Candidate Obama didn’t feed us happy-talk, which is why we elected him.
He never said America could solve our health-care, economic and security problems without raising the deficit. Instead, he talked of hard choices, and of government taking painful and contentious first steps toward fixing problems that could not be left for another day.
Right after Obama’s election, we seemed to grasp this. We understood companies would be happy to squeeze more work out of frightened employees, and would be slow to hire more. We understood the banks that had extorted us out of billions of dollars, were lying when they said they would share their recovery. We understood that a national consensus on health care would not come easily.
Candidate Obama never claimed his proposed solutions would work flawlessly right out of the box, and we respected him for that.
But today, the president is being attacked as if he were a salesman who promised us our problems would wash off in the morning. He never made such a promise.
It’s time for Americans to realize that governing is hard work, and that a president can’t just wave a magic wand and fix everything.
Ellie Light
Barberville
Looking closely at the second amendment
posted Jan 14, 2010 - 2:46:54pm
Editor, The Beacon:
In a recent letter to the editor, a writer stated that the Second Amendment to the Constitution "expressly protects the right to keep and bear arms."
Coincidentally, in a letter to the editor of another local paper, another writer claimed "private citizens do not have the right to own guns," stating that the Second Amendment confers that right only to the militia established in the same amendment.
The writer further claims this has been confirmed by decisions of the Supreme Court several times in past years. I do not like to disagree with the Supreme Court, but here goes, anyway.
My copy of the amendments to the Constitution defines the Second Amendment as follows: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
The question is whether the word "people" refers only to the militia, or to all citizens. The word "people" is used in the Bill of Rights five times. In all cases, except for the questioned use in Amendment 2, "people" refers clearly to all citizens. Why would the writer use the word with a different interpretation in Amendment 2, not referring to all citizens?
Also, the definition of "militia" in my dictionary is "a part of the armed forces of a country ... ." If militia is defined as being armed, the phrase "the right of the people to keep and bear arms" in the Second Amendment is redundant with "armed forces" and is, therefore, an unlikely reference to the militia. It more likely refers to all citizens.
I raise this issue primarily to support the first writer's position on the Second Amendment. However, this is only my opinion, and I wonder if there are others who support the second writer's position that we, as citizens, do not have the right to keep and bear arms.
I look forward to hearing the opinions of others.
David Harris
Orange City
Is this true?
posted Jan 14, 2010 - 2:45:24pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Is there any truth to the rumor that the Volusia County attorney is more worried about/threatened by cats in DeLeon Springs than by huge trucks tearing down (and up!) U.S. Highway 17?
We are all in a lot more trouble than I ever imagined!
Nancy Breeze
DeLand
American-history debate continues
posted Jan 7, 2010 - 10:25:07am
Editor, The Beacon:
It is fortunate for Mr. Rauschenberger that Mr. James DeMichael's zeal to discredit him really results in Mr. DeMichael being discredited. His assumption that the 50/50 idea came from Beck suggests he is ignorant of the free state projects that have been in progress for a few years. (Google it.)
A most egregious error was Mr. DeMichael's chiding Mr. Rauschenberger for claiming the founding of our country was an experiment. The experiment isn't that the country was founded, it is that it was founded with so much liberty and freedom.
Even the pseudo-liberal icon Bill Clinton stated in a speech that we were founded with a "... radical amount of freedom." Patrick Henry and others insisted the first 10 amendments be included in the Constitution. I have no knowledge of any other country placing these individual inalienable protections in a written organic law like our founding document, the U.S. Constitution. Likewise for sovereign state's rights.
And for your enlightenment: "inalienable" means the fundamental rights and privileges; the right to personal liberty and individual ownership of property, freedom of religion, freedom of speech and press; due process of law, etc. (From Ballentine's Law Dictionary.)
I suppose it is understandable that Mr DeMichael isn't aware the country was founded as a republic, not a democracy, for pseudo-liberals seem to lack respect for many of the founding principles.
Do you need proof that republic is the right answer? "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican form of government ... ." (U.S. Constitution)
However, I will agree to some forgiveness of Mr. DeMichael's ignorance of our form of government, since just about every public official uses the term democracy almost exclusively. Perhaps John Adams can bend Mr. DeMichael's world view: 1. "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide." 2. "No good government but what is republican ... the very definition of a republic is 'an empire of laws, and not of men.'"
Most unfortunate is the fact that the rule of law so much vocalized by various pubic officials and speakers is but an illusion. For there to be a rule of law in the United States, all law must be in harmony with the respective state and federal constitutions. That is demonstratively not the case.
Last, since Mr. DeMichael choose to be demeaning and attempted to marginalize Mr. Raushenberger in an immature use of words, I am lowering my standards this time to retort that I encourage Mr. DeMichael to move out of La La land, become responsible and perform some basic research to add to the common sense of the community.
As a performing conservative, I won't get into his life and expect him to move or not move to Guam. Mostly, pseudo liberals believe "Be reasonable; do it my way!"
Doug Bell
DeLand
Too much government
posted Jan 7, 2010 - 10:22:16am
Editor, The Beacon:
In response to Mr. White's letter in the Dec. 28-30 edition, Mr White did not do his homework. He has his facts all backwards.
Seventy percent of all Americans do not want a public option because: 1. The Democrats are already talking about amnesty for 12 million illegals. To include these in the public option would add a significant amount to our already out-of-control debt that the current administration has created; 2. If you remove the profit motive from any business it will cease to exist. Insurance companies must realize a profit to stay in business. Their profit margin is 2 percent. If they fail, the people would have to rely on the not-for-profit government plan. Who will pay for this?; and, 3. If Mr. Reed has to bribe members of the Senate with hundreds of millions of taxpayers' money for their votes, it tells me there is something wrong with this plan.
What makes Mr. White think the public-option-inclusive health-care bill would succeed, when all the other government-run agencies are going broke, i.e., the post office, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Fanny, Freddy, etc.
As far as a party embarrassment, Mr. Biden, the vice president, is an international joke and an embarrassment to our country. He can't seem to keep his foot out of his mouth.
Mr. White, wake up and smell the coffee. We are being subjected to a socialistic form of government, and your way of thinking just goes to prove it. The current administration wants all Americans to be dependent on them for everything, making us a Third World country at best.
Mr. Bush, we miss you.
Andrew Astrab
DeLand
Thankful for light in the season of lights
posted Dec 30, 2009 - 11:13:44am
Editor, The Beacon:
I would like to thank all the workers at Oakdale Cemetery who lined all the roadways with luminaries. Leaving Christmas Eve service at St. Barnabas, I drove through the cemetery. It was a lovely sight with thousands of lights, and truly a silent, holy night.
Ethel Perrick
DeLand
Why does AARP support Medicare reductions?
posted Dec 30, 2009 - 11:10:33am
Editor, The Beacon:
This speaks to Lori Parham's commentary inThe Beacon Dec. 24-27 edition. Ms. Parham is AARP's Florida state director.
She tell us "These are tough times for the 40 million AARP members," of which half are age 65 or older. Also, that AARP is working with Congress on the COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) issue to help maintain the dignity of all Floridians as they age.
While COLA increases are very important to many seniors, the net value pales when compared to the potential damages to Medicare members, if the draconian measures in the House and Senate bills recently passed by each legislative body in the middle of the night become the law of the land.
These measures were forced through as raw political moves, directed by President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Rahm Emanuel, at the expense of the body politic, with zero input or bipartisan ideas allowed the GOP. This in spite of almost seven out of 10 Americans strongly opposed, according to the polls.
With $500 billion designated to be withdrawn from health services for seniors, forced rationing of needed medical, surgical, testing, etc., and ultimately higher direct and or nondirect taxes, it seems to me seniors who are aware of what's going on in Washington on health-care reform would vote a vigorous "no" to this out-of-control, onerous legislation being put in place for the ultimate federal government takeover of America's health-care system.
It's bad for seniors, bad for Americans and bad for America. The ultimate result: poorer-quality medical care, significantly higher costs and no liability tort reform — a gift to their huge financial supporters, the trial lawyers.
Amazingly, AARP is an organization whose alleged primary mission is to, where possible, enhance the quality of life for seniors as they age. The real question is, why in the world does AARP fully support this dreadful legislation so skewed against the very people they purport to help? The legislation is question certainly doesn't meet the test of "helping maintain the dignity of all Floridans as they age."
The answer may very well be summed up by the following statement: "Follow the money"!
Paul J. Sharpe
DeLand
Guns or none, people will harm each other
posted Dec 30, 2009 - 11:06:30am
Editor, The Beacon:
I have been told by a number of friends that I should consider writing an editorial for The Beacon; I finally decided to take their advice.
I read what Mr. John Walker had to say about gun control in his letter, and discovered he had put into short, simple terms what I've been thinking for a while. I couldn't agree more with him.
The left's answer to gun crime is simply taking away all the guns. This is absurd, not only because the Second Amendment to the U.S Constitution (i.e., the law of the land) expressly protects the right to keep and bear arms, but also because humans have always harmed one another and always will.
If a person wants to harm someone, whether it is with a gun, a can of soup, or any other handy implement, they will find a way.
If our infinitely well-meaning government ever takes away our firearms, I'm quite sure there would be dramatic increases in stabbings, beatings, poisonings, etc. Necessity is the mother of invention. The ever-educated left seems to forget that, throughout history, nations have committed acts of genocide with little more than clubs, arrows, swords and spears.
In my opinion, the only difference we will see, if the draconian gun-control advocated by Democrats is ever implemented, will be that the majority of people being harmed will be decent, everyday Americans who will no longer be able to protect their families and property.
When I argue with my leftist friends about the Second Amendment, the first thing they say is, it is outdated. Their first talking point about our "outdated" Constitution is the clause that says slaves were to be counted as three-fifths of a person, to which I say, here's the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments! The law is not fluid; if it were, our society wouldn't be able to function. If they want to take away the right to keep and bear arms, they should attempt to amend the Constitution (not appoint judges who legislate from the bench or pass higher taxes on ammunition).
I don't believe the Democrats will ever try that avenue (the Constitutional one) because too many Americans know the Second Amendment was central to the Founding Fathers' idea of creating and maintaining American liberty. Because of this, we must be ever vigilant toward their back-door attempts to take away our rights.
Like I said, I was glad to see Mr. Walker was able to put these things into a simpler perspective.
Jared Mitchell
DeLand
Santa's Elves grateful for help
posted Dec 30, 2009 - 10:51:23am
Editor, The Beacon:
To everyone who helped with the retired Volusia County Fire Services volunteers food and toy drive (called Santa's Elves): That was a wonderful thing you did for others at this time of year.
We have so many people to thank.
A special thanks to DeLand High School, Toys for Tots, Target, Winn-Dixie, Friendly's Restaurant, J.C.'s Lobster Pot, The West Volusia Beacon, Angelina's Restaurant, Riverside Banks, Volusia County Fire Stations Nos. 31, 32, 41, 42 and 46, DeLand Fire Stations Nos. 81, 82 and 83, Dollar General Store, Tropical Connections, Spring Garden Storage, Pat Dillinger, Donna Goodwin, and Audrey Massey.
The children were all rewarded. The parents cried and smiled at the same time. Love — that's what Christmas is all about, and caring and sharing. We are very lucky to have nice homes, good food, and family to love us.
Let us close by saying "God Bless, all of you, for your help. Without it, we would not have fed 300 families, or have given 650 children toys and candy for Christmas."
— Hill and Mix are principles of Santa's Elves Inc., 308 Janus Lane, Ormond Beach, FL 32174.
Relief at Cat Tail Corner
posted Dec 30, 2009 - 10:49:01am
Editor, The Beacon:
Hello, everyone! It's a wonderful day at Cat Tail Corner.
After four years of living with the stress of possibly losing my cat sanctuary, I can finally get on with my life.
We prevailed! After a final judgment in my favor by Judge Rouse, the Volusia County Council signed a settlement agreement with me, ending this legal battle. My cat sanctuary is now legal.
The council vote was 5-to-2. After several rude and unnecessary comments by Joie Alexander, she and Jack Hayman were the only two who voted "no" and wanted to appeal Judge Rouse's ruling.
This is indeed a Christmas gift! I want to thank everyone who has supported me for these past four years. I couldn't have continued without it.
I would also like to give a big "thank you" to my attorney, Eric Latinsky. He made this happen! Please express thanks to him. If you need an attorney, he is the one: 386-257-5555.
And, to anyone who feels he or she is fighting a losing battle, if you know you are right, don't give up!
I hope everyone had a Meowy Christmas!
Kristy Grant (and her kitties)
Pierson
American-history debate continues
posted Dec 30, 2009 - 10:47:53am
Editor, The Beacon:
It is fortunate for Mr. Rauschenberger that Mr. James DeMichael's zeal to discredit him really results in Mr. DeMichael being discredited. His assumption that the 50/50 idea came from Beck suggests he is ignorant of the free state projects that have been in progress for a few years. (Google it.)
A most egregious error was Mr. DeMichael's chiding Mr. Rauschenberger for claiming the founding of our country was an experiment. The experiment isn't that the country was founded, it is that it was founded with so much liberty and freedom.
Even the pseudo-liberal icon Bill Clinton stated in a speech that we were founded with a "... radical amount of freedom." Patrick Henry and others insisted the first 10 amendments be included in the Constitution. I have no knowledge of any other country placing these individual inalienable protections in a written organic law like our founding document, the U.S. Constitution. Likewise for sovereign state's rights.
And for your enlightenment: "inalienable" means fundamental rights and privileges; the right to personal liberty and individual ownership of property, freedom of religion, freedom of speech and press; due process of law, etc. (From Ballentine's Law Dictionary.)
I suppose it is understandable that Mr DeMichael isn't aware the country was founded as a republic, not a democracy, for pseudo-liberals seem to lack respect for many of the founding principles.
Do you need proof that republic is the right answer? "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican form of government ... ." (U.S. Constitution)
However, I will agree to some forgiveness of Mr. DeMichael's ignorance of our form of government, since just about every public official uses the term democracy almost exclusively. Perhaps John Adams can bend Mr. DeMichael's world view: 1. "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide." 2. "No good government but what is republican ... the very definition of a republic is 'an empire of laws, and not of men.'"
Most unfortunate is the fact that the rule of law so much vocalized by various pubic officials and speakers is but an illusion. For there to be a rule of law in the United States, all law must be in harmony with the respective state and federal constitutions. That is demonstratively not the case.
Last, since Mr. DeMichael choose to be demeaning and attempted to marginalize Mr. Raushenberger in an immature use of words, I am lowering my standards this time to retort that I encourage Mr. DeMichael to move out of La La land, become responsible and perform some basic research to add to the common sense of the community.
As a performing conservative, I won't get into his life and expect him to move or not move to Guam. Mostly, pseudo liberals believe "Be reasonable; do it my way!"
Doug Bell
DeLand
Don't miss this Progress Energy benefit
posted Dec 17, 2009 - 3:40:30pm
Editor, The Beacon:
I had a wonderful experience with your Progress Energy Co. that others should take advantage of, and it is free!
I requested a energy audit, and two informed persons showed up on time and performed the audit of my home and suggested several things I could do to lower my energy costs.
During the audit, I was informed that, indeed, the company has had a large layoff of employees due to the downturn of construction and foreclosures in the local market.
In my 72 years, living here on earth, I don't remember any large company, including Volusia County, coming to my home and suggesting ways to cut costs!
My power bill is not what a recent writer claimed is normal, thank goodness, but I would suggest that writer take advantage of the energy-audit program offered by the electricity provider, and maybe she would then have a different take on the big bad company.
Oh — I was shopping at Lowe's and Publix this week and not one employee offered to suggest a cheaper brand over what I picked out. Wonder why?
J. Summers
DeLand
Language will change; why fight it?
posted Dec 17, 2009 - 3:39:41pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Regarding the "Word Sense and Nonsense," column by Richard Langford published in the Nov. 12-15 edition: Dear Dr. Langford, I find your language-anguish to be pointless. Language is never static, except in very remote places like a jungle, or a campus.
All language is fluid and feisty, obeying only the laws of entropy and evolution (droppage and coinage).
If enough Vikings invade England from all sides, the language will change. if enough Frenchmen invade, a filthy word (pig) will change to a lovelier one )pork).
Like a neighbor, we don't borrow words, we steal them. (Hey, we're Vikings.) Put that in your pants and sit on it. Or your denims, pantalons, trousers, slacks, coveralls (overalls), jodhpurs.
Local natives were happy saying Dee-land until invaders insisted on calling it D'land, or Duh-lay-und (as in Orolayundo). Young people call it Duh-land or Dead-land, probably influenced by Duh-bary, Dead-bary and Dull-tona. Deland is easier to type than DeLand.
This is by no means an exhaustive study of Volusian English (sounds like a Star Trek term). I have yet to cover the linguistic amputations of Daytona Beach to Daytona, and Ormond Beach to Ormond. But that may be their future form, considering people are seeing less and less beach over there. I leave it to future scholars and language snobs to argue.
I would do it, but I am unable to sit motionless and isolated for long periods of time, locked in some study. That's why I have a master's, but not a Ph.D. (an acronym for Priggish Haughty Dolt; Piled Higher, Deeper; or Pretend He's Distinguished).
Notes: denims, de Nimes. See also, Deland, De Land; jodhpur, jod-per, and Jodhpur, India. Through a kind of visual metathesis, the word is often mispronounced "jod-fer." Believe it or not, this error pervades the horse-riding industry. The mispronunciation sometimes results in the obvious misspelling metathesis, the flaw in us all that makes us say chaise lounge and not chaise longue.
Gerald Remington
Orange City
Keep government out of the registry business
posted Dec 17, 2009 - 3:38:53pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Regarding Mr. Edmonds' letter recently about the domestic-partner registry, I would like to say he is correct in one regard.
This issue is not about being gay or straight. It is entirely about only two issues: personal responsibility and the never-ending expansion of government.
Please give me a good reason why my tax dollars should go to set up a registry simply because these people are too lazy or too ignorant to fill out the proper paperwork to become health-care surrogates?
Mr. Wagner, the council member who suggested the registry, is under the impression it will "pay for itself or maybe generate a small amount of revenue." Give me a break. When has any government program ever paid for itself?
Who will man the phones at the government offices 24 hours a day to provide access to this information? This is when the hospitals will need it.
This is nothing more than another shining example of government being involved in matters in which it has no business or authority.
I, for one, am fed up with my tax dollars being wasted on ridiculous, unnecessary programs such as this.
It is truly a sad state of affairs when local, county, state, and federal governments are the largest employers. Unfortunately, I don't see this changing, as long as folks like Mr. Wagner and Mr. Edmonds want the government to take care of their every need.
Heard Saxon
DeBary
Stupak should offend even pro-lifers
posted Dec 17, 2009 - 3:38:12pm
Editor, The Beacon:
The Stupak Amendment to the health-care-reform bill recently passed by the House of Representatives should trouble everyone, regardless of your position on reproductive rights.
The amendment cuts off access to insurance coverage for abortion, even for women who are purchasing the coverage with their own money, and not using one cent of government funding.
Those on the pro-life side of the fence may see this as a victory. To you, I submit this: What else might your government decide your insurance shouldn't cover? Birth control? Prenatal care for unmarried women? Vasectomies? Viagra?
Maybe the insurance you pay for with your own money should not cover experimental therapies, or life-extending treatments for terminally ill patients, or controversial drugs. After all, there are individuals in this country who are offended by these things, who find them morally objectionable. Apparently that is an acceptable reason for denying you the right to pay your own money to have insurance coverage for those services.
When a government can enforce a particular moral code by deciding how your private money is spent on your personal health care, "socialism" is the least of its problems.
Please call your senators and urge them to take the Stupak Amendment out of the final health-care bill, regardless of your stance on the abortion issue. This is not about abortion. This is about abuse of power.
Tracy Lunquist
DeLand
Religious agenda has no place in debate
posted Dec 17, 2009 - 3:37:33pm
Editor, The Beacon:
With regard to the Stupak Amendment:
This amendment is a violation of the separation of church and state. There is no place for a religious agenda in the health-care reform.
Why is it the majority of legislators who vote against freedom of choice are white, wealthy males? Who does this hurt? Non-white, poor females!
John Lewis
DeBary
Conserve water?
posted Dec 17, 2009 - 3:36:58pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Once a year, the DeLand city water department opens fire hydrants in this area (Brandywine) for a short time to flush the pipes.
Never before has the hydrant in our street been opened fully, and then only for a very short time. At those times, some water flows down the hill but not enough to flood lawns and driveways. The hydrant here is on the lawn between houses at 835 and 845 Brandywine Road.
This morning (Nov. 20) city employees opened the valve(s) on the hydrant fully for about a minute. An enormous amount of water flowed across the lawns at 845 and 855 Brandywine Road, washing away soil, flooding that side of the street and the driveway at 855, and depositing debris in driveways.
It will take a great deal more water for the residents to clean the dirt and debris from those driveways. In addition, sodding or seeding will be required to replace the dirt washed away.
Watering times for our lawns have been cut to once a week. Enough water was wasted here, including cleanup, to water every lawn on the street at least once.
We, the residents, are required to conserve water. Does the City of DeLand follow the rules concerning conserving water? Certainly not in this instance.
John Walker
DeLand
Much to be thankful for
posted Dec 17, 2009 - 3:36:09pm
Editor, The Beacon:
We are "thankful." Where do we begin? Oh yes, we are thankful for people and a paper called The Beacon. A team that cares for humans and fur-babies, too. So many are enjoying Thanksgiving safe, healthy and loved, thanks to you.
We are thankful for Barb Shepherd, and her patience with yours truly. For Margie, who listens and advises. For Keith, with his tremendous personality and smile, and for Al Everson, who for years has been the voice of those who do speak, but so many refuse to take the time to listen to. For Amanda, with such a sweet greeting, and every one of your staff. Men or women never stand so tall, as when they reach down to help those so helpless and small.
We are thankful for a savior, Jesus Christ, for, in him, every day is a day to be thankful because of his promises kept so true. Because he lives, so do we. So can you.
We are thankful for just being able to get up and about, whether in a wheelchair, or in bed sitting up or lying down, just to see and enjoy his beauty he has endowed.
Thankful for Christmas, his birth; Easter, his resurrection.
We are thankful for friends who care and share and go the extra mile. Thankful for anyone who looks at you and smiles.
Thankful for the birds that sing, and, as my mom's prayer, she taught me as a child, "thank you God for everything."
Thankful for my husband Steve, 88, and healthy, who still rescues fur babies. Thankful for so many organizations and rescuers, who are there to help us help "them" day or night. For Bob, who is out there 24/7, 365 days a year; only God knows what he does.
And for each of you, who share your homes, food and love. For our fur babies. Thankful for Jan and Ted, who are always there. Words don't express all they do and mean to us. They are our "family."
We are thankful for our school's administrators, who stand behind the teachers and believe in discipline. Sure makes our job easier. Thankful for the hugs we get at the end of the day from each child. Thankful for sweet memories to carry us through.
Well, I could write a book of so much to be thankful for. So, I will say "Thank you for listening, and giving us a time to share. And thank you, God, for everything."
Jeannine Colletti
DeLand
Divided we progress?
posted Dec 17, 2009 - 3:35:07pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Mr. Rauschenberger: Almost perfect. D's choose the 25 "blue states" and R's get the leftovers, the 25 "red states."
All states determine, in whatever way they choose, a single state representative to go to Washington, D.C.
A simple majority of these states' representatives (PPs, political pimps) will determine "the way forward," if and when confronted with issues requiring consensus between the two American nations.
Ray Lord
DeLeon Springs
Athens says thanks
posted Dec 17, 2009 - 3:34:11pm
Editor, The Beacon:
I just wanted to thank The Beacon's editorial-page writers for their kind words about the Athens Theatre in their "Time to pause and be thankful" article.
We're in the midst of growing pains, still, but we know we can be a great asset to the city and Volusia County.
Again, thanks for your continued support.
— Bright is president of Sands Theater Center, Inc., owner of the Athens Theatre.
Who wins if we wreck our economy for war?
posted Dec 17, 2009 - 3:28:34pm
Editor, The Beacon:
American military deaths in Iraq to date: 4,000-plus. In Afghanistan: 900-plus. More than 32,000 wounded to date in both countries.
None of these figures includes any of the thousands of civilian deaths and casualties. Costs of Iraq and Afghanistan to date at $915.1 billion. Cost per year per soldier deployed estimated at $1 million.
So, who's winning? Taliban and al-Qaida hide out in their caves and the hills, surfacing to lay mines, sneak-bomb civilian and military targets, and shoot our soldiers.
It seems they are managing to destroy our economy through these insidious wars, while leaving our success as an indefinable, unreachable goal.
The governments of Iraq and Afghanistan are rife with corruption; large sums of monies we send them for aid are squandered and stolen.
None of these facts would indicate efforts to improve their security and governance to date have been very successful. More and more, it appears, potentially, the U.S. would be better advised to let these people solve their own problems, and we should concentrate our efforts on eliminating al-Qaida.
I find it difficult to understand how we haven't been able to do this with the highly advanced weapons and intelligence-gathering technology available to us.
The diversion of the overall strategies being followed in the two countries by the U.S. — fighting the Taliban and "insurgents" — detracts from the goal of eliminating the al-Qaida threat.
We will sacrifice billions of dollars and unnecessary dead to a cause that is basically flawed and unchangeable. A thousand years from now they will still be facing the same problems they live with today.
Art Steinman
DeLeon Springs
Killing instead of helping isn't 'great'
posted Dec 17, 2009 - 3:27:22pm
Editor, The Beacon:
With the debates ongoing about Afghanistan and health care, why does it seem that for Republicans/right-wingers/conservatives, no amount of money is too much to spend or borrow for a government program to go overseas and kill people, but any amount of money is too much to spend or borrow for a government program to take care of our people at home?
Is it because we're so much better at killing people? Makes me wonder what their idea of a "great nation" is, and whether I want any part of it.
Russ White
Orange City
End socialization? Why not go all the way?
posted Dec 17, 2009 - 3:26:31pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Tom Garcia's goal of returning our great republic to the principles of our founders and stop socialization of our great country is interesting.
Why not go all the way, Tom? Repeal Social Security, Medicare, and child-labor laws; catch your breath, then knock out every other piece of progressive legislation post-Civil War.
I am a registered Republican, but not recidivist.
Walter Mentzer, I am (besides Republican), a confirmed nontheist dedicated to the proposition that we weak and vulnerable humans — intelligent but insecure — seek comfort in myths, and so man creates gods.
It doesn't bother me at all that, in sincerity, you and others gather for mutual comfort and sharing the same songs and stories. I acknowledge that for as many as (maybe) 100,000 years, various forms of religious practice have provided useful social bonding.
However, it does seem unfair that myth-indulgent groups obtain tax benefits not available for any other form of association, while still expecting to be covered (fire and public safety) beneficially by the services to which I contribute my tax payment.
Just pointing it out, not whining.
Frank Scotton
DeLand
Christmas Parade leaves a mess
posted Dec 17, 2009 - 3:25:56pm
Editor, The Beacon:
We had the opportunity to drive through DeLand Sunday afternoon and evening, Dec. 6. We were amazed at all of the trash left along Woodland Boulevard from Euclid to Pennsylvania avenues, from those who had watched the Christmas Parade the night before. We are truly Slobbish Americanias.
Who is going to pay for the cleanup of the trash? Will it be the City of DeLand or those who put on the parade? Maybe they should have paid some Boy Scouts or had a civic-club volunteer to come down on Sunday morning and clean it up.
Yes, the parade is always a great thing for the city and, by the looks of it, there were overflowing crowds. Maybe if the city put out large trash cans along the route it would have helped. That would cut down on the Sunday-morning trash. Just my opinion.
Paul Holt
Orange City
Family work pays off in DeLand
posted Dec 17, 2009 - 3:25:24pm
Editor, The Beacon:
Freedom Elementary School's chorus performed recently at the Athens Theatre in DeLand. I enjoyed watching my child's performance and was impressed by the number of families who came to support their children.
One of the great treasures of DeLand is its families. A great educator, David McKay, said: "No other success can compensate for failure in the home." Another great educator, Harold Lee, observed: "The most important work you will ever do ... will be within the walls of your own home."
Edward Schor, author of Caring for Your School-Age Child: Ages 5-12, observed: "Children in their middle years treasure their families and feel they are special and irreplaceable. Families provide children with a sense of belonging and a unique identity. Families are, or should be, a source of emotional support and comfort, warmth and nurturing, protection and security.
"Family relationships provide children with a critical sense of being valued and with a vital network of historical linkages and social support. Within every healthy family there is a sense of reciprocity — a giving and taking of love and empathy by every family member.
"Families are much more than groups of individuals. They have their own goals and aspirations. They also are places where every child and adult should feel that he or she is special and be encouraged to pursue his or her own dreams; a place where everyone's individuality is permitted to flourish.
"Although every family has conflicts, all the family members should feel as though they can express themselves openly, share their feelings, and have their opinions listened to with understanding. In fact, conflicts and disagreements are a normal part of family life and are important insofar as they permit people to communicate their differences and ventilate their feelings.
"The family instructs children and gives guidance about personal values and social behavior. It instills discipline and helps them learn and internalize codes of conduct that will serve them for the rest of their lives. It helps them develop positive interpersonal relationships, and it provides an environment that encourages learning both in the home and at school. It gives children a sense of history and a secure base from which to grow and develop. Yet, as important as these functions are, they do not happen automatically. Every parent knows it takes hard work to keep the family going as an effective, adaptive and functional unit."
Success in families takes lots of hard work, cooperation and planning. But for families in DeLand, the hard work is worth it.
Reed Markham
DeLand
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