Letters to the Editor 11/13

32 years of hospice

With November being National Hospice Month, I couldn’t be prouder to tell you about Hospice of San Luis Obispo County celebrating its 32nd year as a volunteer hospice.

We chose many years ago not to obtain licensing, but instead to remain independent, so we could always do what our hearts and community needed us to do, and that is to provide hospice services without any restrictions.

In 2009, we’ve served more than 1,700 individuals at no charge or reimbursement to us. We recently initiated vigil programs at Arroyo Grande, Sierra Vista and French hospitals. Our primary goal is to make sure that no one dies alone. All of this is done through the incredible generosity of local residents who support us through our fundraisers, bequests and grants. Thank you!

Our 25th annual Light up a Life ceremonies will be occurring in communities throughout the county on Dec. 4-10. Please join us to celebrate those who have gone before us and know that their lives continue to light up the lives of those left behind, by the precious memories they created for us.

Cindy Murayama Wolcott

San Luis Obispo

Same old tune

Republicans condemn Democrats for spending too much money on health care reform, yet encourage President Obama to send more troops to Afghanistan as an increasing expense to the nation. It is a chorus based on the same tune used to achieve similar results, domestically and abroad, where 130,000 troops supposedly will be removed from Iraq by the end of 2011 and where the act of military reduction ought to be well under way, but isn’t.

Adding troops in Afghanistan, as Republicans desire, would be to repeat the Iraq error and defeat America’s better nature in the interest of meaningful domestic concerns, beginning with universal health care. The argument of the right is meant to defeat the righteousness of the left for reasons suitable to the goal of the Republican Party.

Mental incongruence is not a disease, but is due to the intention of the “party of God” dedicated to the defeat of logic and human decency to fulfill its purpose: to see Barack Obama fail! But then what?

The best way to overcome political dissonance is by taking decisive action directed toward domestic goals and cooperation among nations.

Ken Ramey

Paso Robles

Terminology

To clarify some terminology in the health care discussion:

First, socialized medicine is a system in which a public agency (government) hires the doctors and runs the hospitals. The Veterans Affairs health system, including Walter Reed Hospital, is an example. Most people who use it are happy with it.

Second, single-payer is a system of insurance where all payments are processed through a public agency (government). Medicare is an example. Most people who use it are happy with it.

Third, Hitler was the German dictator whose delusions of world domination caused World War II, including the mass murder of several million Jews and others deemed subhuman.

President Obama is not Hitler and the health care proposal that has been passed by the House is neither socialized medicine nor anything as radical as Medicare. Rather, it modifies the system of private health insurance that is already in place. Some would say the proposed changes are minor. The sky is not falling. Could we please tone down the rhetoric and get back to reason?

Jan William Simek

San Luis Obispo

Lack of connection

I must say that as an 82-year-old woman who has been married to the same man for 61 years, I read David Brooks’ editorial (Nov. 5) with interest and sadness. The idea that cell phones, which I think are wonderful inventions for communication and safety, are yet another instrument in degrading our society.

I hope all parents who read that will make it a teaching moment with their kids for talks about timing, commitment and faithfulness. How sad that the people who write these diaries are reduced to searching for love in all the wrong places. They must have no sense of their own worth. It’s worse than prostitution in my book.

It is a shame that these people lack connection. I wonder if the phone is another addiction. I wonder if they’ve tried places like church or getting active in their communities to meet compatible partners, not for anonymous sex, but finding shared values that lead to deeper relationships. The connection to a valued community is what we all crave.

I have two teenage granddaughters who are full of life. They love school and enjoy learning, friends and sports. The values they have learned at home are worlds apart from the kind of atmosphere described in that editorial. Thank goodness.

Meredith Whitaker

San Luis Obispo

Cal Poly noise

I’m happy with our soccer and football teams at Cal Poly. I’m not comfortable with the noise level of the public address speaker system during recent events. I would be happier if the sound level coming from the stadium during all events was toned down so that we in the community didn’t have to hear it all.

I complained to the San Luis Obispo Police Department. They said that they couldn’t tell Cal Poly what to do regarding the city noise ordinance. They said to call the Cal Poly Police Department. I did. The sergeant said there’s nothing the Cal Poly police can do. She said to call the Senior Associate Athletic Director. I did and naturally he didn’t answer his phone.

My point in all of this is that it doesn’t seem fair if the students have to obey the noise ordinance and Cal Poly’s athletic department doesn’t.

Joe Johnson

San Luis Obispo

Hypocrisy, theocracy

Today, in my opinion, there are two negative forces that are seriously poisoning our system of government and the national discourse: political and religious hypocrisies.

Unless Americans start seriously confronting these hypocrisies and the people pushing this agenda, the United States will become a theocracy.

Fabrizio Griguoli

Shell Beach