Letters and Comments for September 1, 2009

Letters and Comments for September 1, 2009

Stop nonsense

To the Editor:

I would like to comment on the community comment posted in the Aug. 27 newspaper from John Deal.

As the coach’s daughter, I have received a lot of flack. For example, “coach’s daughter” chants from the crowd, degrading comments from the public, phone calls from adults with the purpose to get me to quit. Basketball is my life, it is what I do to release stress. My dad and brothers taught me how to play and I am grateful for that.

As you may have already figured out, my name is Carlene MacKay and I am a senior in high school. What this John Deal isn’t considering is not only is my dad receiving flack, but I too have been getting comments.

My parents are divorced, and growing up without a father in the home was hard, but we still made time to see each other. It appalls me that adults can act this childish and make comments to the public about how my father was to us.

As a teenager, I look up to adults so I can be the best I possibly can. However, when adults act like this, it’s a shame to see. Through the past two years of having my dad as a coach, I have seen a lot of adults acting like children about these politics. During practice and games I set aside the title of “dad” temporarily and replace it with “coach” so I can be the best I am capable of.

At this time I ask the public to keep these comments to yourself and to stop this nonsense through the newspaper. My family, and especially my father and I, would greatly appreciate it.

Carlene MacKay

La Grande

Insurance issue

To the Editor:

A question for Professor Powers: How long will it take for the state of Oregon to decide that paying 8 percent of state payroll (HR 3200,pg 183) to the feds will be much, much less than what Oregon now pays in health insurance fringe benefits and administration of same?

I predict it will take one cycle of failed union negotiations and one short-lived union strike. Oregon civil servants would be “forced” to take the government-option or buy their own private insurance — if there are any quality private companies left standing.

Professor Powers might also think about today’s 65-year-old employer-covered worker and the 65-year-old with a private policy. Many employee policies cease at age 65, as do private policies. The effect is that the 65-year-old is “forced” to go on the publicly-funded Medicare program whether they want to or not.

Kathleen Ferguson

Summerville