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Just when you thought the right wingers were elected only to help us hard working Americans, guess again! Three Republican governors are pushing for the European Airbus Corp. to get a defense contract instead of Boeing. This would mean a $35 to $40 billion contract for Boeing, an American company. But three Republican governors must think that our economy is doing so well that 44,000 workers for Boeing do not need this work.
If Boeing was awarded this contract it would be one step to getting back some of the many needed production jobs in the U.S. If we don’t keep the jobs that are left in this country we will all be moving to other countries to find work. Why do these ultra right wing conservatives try so hard to keep the hard working Americans down? So they can create low paying jobs without affordable insurance or retirement security. And especially as long as they are not union jobs. Oh I almost forgot to let you know who the three governors are. Republican governors Haley Barbour, Bob Riley and Bobby Jindal. If you get a chance, go to their web site and tell them how you feel about the job they are doing.

Stuart Wade
Bethany

I find it bitterly ironic that we are having so much difficulty deciding to spend less than $900 billion on good healthcare for Americans, when we have at this moment spent more fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And what did we buy there? By the most conservative ac-counting, the deaths of 800,000 people.

Michael Bryant
Decatur

The White House has de-clared war on Fox News. White House Communications Director Anita Dunn said that Fox is “opinion journalism masquerading as news.” David Axelrod declared Fox “not really a news station.” This is this administration’s way of warning the other networks not to be led into following Fox.
In declaring war on Fox News, Obama is sending a shot over the bow of every other major media outlet which continues only to carry stories favorable to him. His not-so-subtle threat conveys this message: if Fox runs a story critical of the administration, such as examining the smoke and mirror sophistry in the pro-posed health care legislation, the other news organizations had better think twice before following the lead. The signal to corporations is equally clear: think twice before running an ad on Fox.
The media have been shamelessly quiet as this White House‘s attempts to de-legitimize any significant dissent. News Busters has been reporting on how the media aided and abetted the creation of Obama’s cult-like personality leading to his election. Eight days before his inauguration, Anita Dunn and digital strategist Ben Self, while at a conference in the Dominican Republic gave a tutorial on how to turn an unknown politician into a messiah. World News Daily corroborated this strategy, reporting on how the Obama campaign successfully ma-nipulated the media to force his cult-like status upon an unknowing public. Thus it is only logical that a White House which deliberately manipulates the media would launch an all out assault on the one segment that refuses to cooperate.
Fox News is the lone mi-nority in a sea of liberal media. Obama can’t stand criticism. Don’t be surprised one day to wake up and find Fox News off the air!

Joe Quinn
Decatur

Kudos to the Illinois State Medical Society. I have wanted to know what they think and I agree with them. The advertisement in the Herald-Review was great! I have written to my Senators and Mr. Durbin, I felt, did not respect my opinion and had his mind made up from day one. I do agree with the Illinois State Medical Society.
I am 72 and it seems we older citizens will be the ones who will be left out if the Health Reform goes through. We need it the most. At this age you start having difficul-ties.

Vivian Tracy
Robinson

I would like to thank the staff of the Scovill Zoo for The Boo At The Zoo.
Despite the poor weather, people came out to the event and had fun. The volunteers were wonderful and the staff of the zoo were great to work for and with. I encourage more people to take advan-tage of it next year.

Mark Portwood
Decatur

Now that the time change has taken place, sunset comes as many of us are leaving our jobs to head home, please be aware that many farmers are still hard at work trying to harvest this year’s crop. Farmers will be driving combines, tractors with wagons, as well as grain trucks using rural roads, and county and state highways to get from one field to another. However, the big difference is, they are still working while the rest of us head home for dinner.
Macon County Farm Bureau would like to urge all motorists to be sure to slow down and use caution when approaching farm implements from any direction, any time, day or night. These pieces of equipment are traveling at a much slower rate than a regular car or truck. Motorists are urged to pay extra attention to turn signals as they may not be able to see you if you are behind them. Also be sure to get as far over as possible to the side of the road when approaching a combine or tractor as they may not be able to get over as far due to the width of their equipment. And remember…..they are helping get the crop in to help feed you!
Start seeing farmers!

Tim Stock
Macon County Farm Bu-reau
Decatur

As a Vietnam era veteran, I am deeply concerned about our continued presence in the Middle East.
It is sadly ironic, that we have probably spent enough on these wars in time, effort and money to resolve most of the other problems crippling the country. Sadder still is the loss of life for such ques-tionable goals.

Michael Bryant
Decatur

My concern is minor in a world of wars and high unemployment, but I feel compelled to express it none-the-less.
For some reason, this year, the Herald & Review quit reporting the statistic “digs” in its box scores of volleyball games.
For those unfamiliar, the tiny girls in the back row who extend their arms and stop volleyballs speeding at 40-50 miles per hour are “digging.” The girls are usually petite, and look like they’ve been beaten because they are battered and bruised from the play. These are the same girls you sometimes see doing somersaults to off-set the power of the balls they just deflected.
While cutting this line in box scores may seem insignificant, it is a statistic that recruiting coaches investigate. In these times of high tuition costs, that makes it more important. I am sure it’s too late to change the policy this year, but it cer-tainly would be nice to see that stat included again.
Thanks for the volleyball coverage in general! At a time when ESPN is devoting a new channel to women’s sports, it is nice to see the H&R noting the successes of the local women of Central Illinois.

Gayle Bowman
Maroa

Have you noticed how the people of this country seem to have less say and face more troubles as to how this country is progressing? Someone needs to do something
Who is that someone? Can you do anything? No. Can I do anything? No. Can we do anything? Yes, if we join together.
The original things that we can correct are:
1. Stabilize the gasoline prices in a real price, rather than randomly charging up to and exceeding $4 per gallon.
2. Lower the interest rate on credit cards to a more real and manageable rate. Thirty percent is not real especially when our savings receive less than 2 percent.
3. Allow all people to ex-press their faith openly. Return the original meaning of the term, “separation of church and state.” The meaning of that phrase has been mutilated so make Christianity illegal.
4. The loss of faith in the Social Security System needs to be restored.
5. Working people should not be taxed to build build-ings for an industry that pays its employees $20 million or more.
6. Taxpayers should not be asked to support or bailout any company in which any employee is paid more than $1 million. That goes for banks, auto companies, colleges, and other such organizations.
We need to unite and stand up for a better America. We need to be a united majority rather than a silent majority.
Let us begin here in Decatur. We can rebuild the nation to the majesty and positive role that it was origi-nally built to be. If you can help me get a website set up, please contact me. If you are concerned, please watch for fliers in the next month or so, looking for people who love America. We all need you!

Alan E. Elsass
Decatur

This is the 17th year for Dirt Riders in Oakley to hold the annual charity race to benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Macon County. Over the years Dirt Riders has raised over $30,000 in cash and about that much in toys for the Christmas Party.
This year’s event will be Sunday, with youth classes starting at 10 a.m. and the team race starting at Noon. Admission is still $5 and children 10 and under is free. This event is always a great way to spend an afternoon and see some great two-wheeled action. Last year over 150 racers participated. Hope to see you there!

Steve Schollmeier
Decatur

The citizens of Decatur and surrounding region owe a great deal to John Smith who is retiring October 30 after a long and exemplary career with the city of Decatur. Our water system has been the economic lifeblood of Deca-tur, as over one-half of the water supply provided by Lake Decatur is an indispensable resource for ADM, Tate & Lyle, and many other of our local businesses. Lake Decatur and our water resources top the list of Deca-tur’s assets. Accolades and awards from professional organizations and govern-mental agencies concerned with the operations, regula-tion, and quality of public water supply and treatment systems have consistently been directed to the city of Decatur.
John has served as Water Production Manager and as an Assistant City Manager dealing with many important aspects of our water supply, including the continuing quest for additional raw water supply. John has worked with and supported Keith Alexander in advancing the critically important Lake Decatur dredging and sediment transport, drying, and re-use processes. When City Manager Garman resigned, John took on the tough job of Acting City Manager when no one else was willing to do so, being immediately thrust into contentious labor relations issues left unresolved when Garman departed. During this time, John never let up on his duties relative to wa-ter. John leaves for his successors many promising avenues to pursue in the responsible use of our great-est regional natural resource, abundant water.
The next time any of us turns on a water faucet around here, I think it would be appropriate to do so with gratitude for the labors of John Smith and of the fine city staff members taking care of Decatur’s lake and water system.

R. Nicholas Burton
Decatur

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In a letter to the editor on Oct. 26, Hallie Bafford claimed that the Sept. 12 march on Washington con-tained “well trained rabble-rousers who were trained to disrupt but not to get ar-rested.”
I can assure you we were not paid, not disruptive, not messy, not jailed, all of this from a group of 2 million people. Oh, but yes, we were quoted in the paper just as you reported.
We marched, peacefully, next to people from all parties. We carried signs which proclaimed our unhappiness with the administration about taxation; tax cheats in Congress, protecting our military and amendments and in general, keeping the democracy that we love.
We marched for our families, our friends who couldn’t join us and for you. The Sept. 12 March signified the “coming together” as we did on the day after we attacked by terrorists.
We have been called by Congress and some media many names such as “mobs, terrorists, radicals, racists, teabag and now rabble-rousers.” Thank you for that one if the article was refer-ring to the Decatur people who went to D.C.
We will be marching in 2010 and would be happy for more to join us to “stand up proud, march proudly and feel patri-otic.”

June Innis
Decatur

Being obese hurts for many reasons, which I’m sure most people would not understand. Yes, I am one of those obese people. I have several health problems. I am high risk for surgery, have two bad knees, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Do I want to be different? Of course. Do I like for people to laugh behind my back or even some to my face? No, this not a lot of fun.
I cannot afford to go to the YMCA, or do a diet like Jenny Craig. I want to see my grandchildren raised and be a part of their lives. I worry about my life being cut short. This is not my choice to be the way I am. If you could walk in my shoes maybe then you would under-stand how it feels. I don’t overeat, nor do I eat a lot of the wrong kinds of foods. All I’m asking is that everyone try to understand there are those of us that would like to be different, but don’t have the means to change what we are. I’m not proud of being obese and I’m sure there are many more like me out there that would like to speak their minds. Please try to see our sides before you pass judg-ment on us.

Peggy Puckett
Decatur

I was interested in the article by former Assistant Surgeon General Dr. Susan J. Blumenthal. One could tell she was well educated just by the way the article was writ-ten.
I like what she especially said about daily exercise and global health.

David Baker
Decatur

The Wharf is a respectable neighborhood restaurant established in 1975 which has provided 34 years of service to the community of Decatur with pride.
As the owner of the business, I am devastated by the event which took place at our business, and I can as-sure the public that this is an isolated situation which hopefully will never happen again. I would like to thank the Decatur Police Department, and The Illinois State Police for their rapid response to the distress call from one of our employee’s faced with an uncontrollable situation.
My concern now is for the wellness and recovery of the employee, who experienced a horrible event, as well as to the Officers who faced an unforeseen life threatening situation. I am confident with the “Professionalism” dis-played by Law Enforcement investigators, this situation will reach a conclusion bring closure so that we can continue to provide service to our loyal customers.

Pat Whitten
Decatur

Relatives of the Rick Gee family wish to thank the many individuals from the various communities who volunteered their time, their food, their money and their kindnesses. We appreciate the hard work of the Fricke-Calvert-Schrader funeral home, the dedication of the Peoria hospital personnel, the baby’s special 24-hour friends and those whose countless efforts are working diligently to bring legal justice for our loved ones.
Further, we would like to thank the many people who are sending monetary gifts through the fund established by the United Methodist Church of Lincoln. Addition-ally, a “Gee Family Memorial Fund” has been set up through the CEFCU banking system.

Judi Koehler, Rick Gee’s mother
Lincoln

The Herald & Review had a story last week about the heroic efforts of several of Decatur’s citizens which saved my Aunt Rosemary Williams’ life while she attended a volleyball game at Eisenhower High School.
On behalf of her extended family in the Deep South, I just want to say “Thank you!” with all our hearts. We es-pecially want to thank Michelle Bonebrake, Jennifer Parsano and the two students who called 911. Without your quick thinking, we may have lost one of our favorite aunts.
Aunt Rosie is very special to all of her nieces and neph-ews. She always has a laugh, a quick smile and a big hug for us when she comes into the room. We’re so grateful that we still have her around to continue to spoil us!
If y’all ever get to Georgia, stop by the house for a cup of coffee and some good conver-sation. It’s the least we can do for those who saved Aunt Rosemary!

Judy Williams Thomas
Columbus, Ga.

The Decatur Municipal Band provides enjoyment to a great number of people with their weekly concerts in the summer. Plus the fall concert was truly awesome.

Dorothy & Robert Shook-man
Decatur

I am writing to thank two people who were strangers and came to my family’s aid this past Sunday. When re-turning from a long week-end trip to Indianapolis, one of our dogs got loose and a very nice young man found our dog and called us to let us know he had her (our dogs’ collars always have an en-graved dog tag that lists our name/address/phone number). The young man stayed with our dog at the Kroger’s/South Shores loca-tion until we could get there and we thanked him pro-fusely for his great assistance to us.
That same afternoon, my husband accidentally dropped his cell phone in the Kroger’s parking lot and another person found it, called us on the cell phone, and then met my husband at the Casey’s store and correctly (intelli-gently) asked my husband to show some I.D. when he came to claim the cell phone. My husband thanked him for his assistance and caution in not just giving the cell phone away to just anyone who might have said it was theirs.
It is reassuring and comforting to know that there are still some really decent people out there who do the right thing and help others.
Big Thanks to both of these kind strangers for their exceptional kindness in an all-too-indifferent society!

Julie LeSuer Bridges
Decatur