Tuesday, July 29, 2014
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Letters to the Editor

Is it worth it? Yes

Along with another couple, Mrs. Davis and I attended the Sun Theatre’s showing of “The Monuments Men” on Saturday night. The movie, tells the tale of seven museum directors, curators, and art historians who received permission from FDR to attempt a rescue operation of artistic masterpieces being plundered by Nazi thieves during WWII. Under the direction of Adolf Hitler and Commander Hermann Goering, confiscation of artwork from France, Germany, Austria and Italy (along with personal property of Jews deemed non-citizens) was begun by the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg (ERR), a special task force headed by Alfred Rosenberg. The task of the monuments men was to discover the hiding places of these items, secure and catalog the items and return them to their rightful owners. It was a race against time, as the war was winding down and Hitler had decreed that all items were to be destroyed before allied forces could regain their possession.

I was amused by the use of scenes that movie-goers would recognize from other previous movies. The selection of the rescue crew reminded me of what I call the combination of “Ocean’s Six” and “The Dirty Half Dozen.” Other movies included would be “National Treasure” and of course the Indiana Jones foursome. Others may notice more examples. I considered the use of these scenes to be an enhancement rather than a distraction. The movie showed that even in the midst of war, there are times of humor and that the bonds of camaraderie can produce fond memories.

A running theme in the movie was whether or not the possible sacrifice of men and machinery was worth the risk, for the sake of artwork. The leader of the rescue operation Frank Stokes, played by George Clooney, was repeatedly asked the question “is it worth it?” Those who have seen the movie, know what his answer was in the end. It is my hope that the audience also knows why his answer was what it was. It speaks a lot to our history and who we are as a nation and as human beings. George Clooney played a major role in the production of this movie. I am perplexed by the contrast between his interest in preserving our history through this movie and his support of the current administration, which is intent on distorting our history and wanting to fundamentally transform our country.

As a former paid employee of the Sun Theatre, I have witnessed the dedication of volunteers who willingly devote their time to make the theater what it is today. These people deserve a thank you. As the movie ended and we exited the theater, I noticed everyone was smiling. I also notice the generosity of those who donate hard earned dollars toward the same goal. I think this speaks well of our town. For after all, The Sun is part of our history and one of our treasures.


Accident information needed

I am seeking information from anyone who remembers the car/train crash on Aug. 19,1957, in Gothenburg where Alyce Goudy died in the accident. And also anyone who knew Alyce or her grandmother Anna Chapin that lived north of Gothenburg. Please contact me at 308-660-1171. Thank you.

Rhonda Battershell, Paxton


Wightman thanked for LB976

All Nebraskans should thank your State Senator John Wightman for scheduling Legislative Bill 976 for a hearing before the Executive Committee. This bill calls for an independent commission to determine Nebraska’s political boundaries. Currently, our non-partisan Unicameral becomes embroiled every 10 years in an ugly, acrimonious fight that assures the re-election of some senators, but serves no public good whatsoever. Thanks to Sen. Wightman, this could change. Common sense could prevail.

In 2011, hours were spent in committee and days were wasted on the floor talking about redistricting. Population density necessitates the Third Congressional District cover a large area, but the resulting map lumps the Sandhills in with the farthest northeast corner of the state as well as the farthest southeast corner. It looks like Pac-Man and is a shining example of gerrymandering. Having grown up in Ogallala, it makes my blood boil.

This is only one example of the current system’s dysfunctionality and does not inspire confidence. Voters could get the idea that the system is “fixed” and simply drop out.

As it currently stands, Sen. Wightman could play an important role in our state’s future. But holding a hearing on the bill is not enough. It must then be voted out of the Executive Committee in order to be debated on the floor.

Let Sen. Wightman know you favor drawing sensible, practical districts. He will need your support because some legislators will try to influence him otherwise.


Citizens treated shoddily

I heard Omaha radio host Chris Baker say “2013 is the year we found out our leaders think we suck.” Actually, this has been apparent for years, i.e., Barack Obama telling a crowd in California, when things go bad for people in small town America “they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren’t like them.” If you didn’t vote for Obama, you’re an angry, gun-toting, religious zealot and a racist.

After Obama and Treasury Secretary Geithner transformed the TARP into a bailout for world banks, did you ever wonder what happens to the interest collected on those loans? Why does the Federal Reserve pay big banks interest on money they keep at the U.S. central bank, actually paying them not to lend that money to us? If you think losing over 60% of banks in the U.S. since 1985 is a problem and the ones left are becoming too big to fail, you’re a conspiracy nutbag. So, step right up and get your Obama loan.

Obama mentions focusing like a laser on jobs from time to time, but his speeches and policies are all about helping people get on food stamps and welfare. If you think waste and fraud are a part of the huge increase in food stamp recipients from 31.9 million to 47.6 million since 2009, you must want people to starve.

Obama created an enigma for the media at the White House two weeks ago. If Congress would pass an extension of unemployment benefits for the hardworking, unemployed standing behind him (victims of his economic policies), they could use the money to stimulate the economy. In other words, paying people not to work creates jobs. The press had to juggle the talking point that the economy is getting better, with the argument that people out of work still need help. They also had to report lower unemployment figures, but not mention the manipulated figures don’t include people who have simply given up looking for a job and left the workforce. If you think the left’s ridiculous policies are keeping 92 million able-bodied people out of work (the lowest workforce percentage in 35 years), you’re a hater.

If you admire tea party movement hero Andrew Breitbart, who wanted to give a voice to people who were called bigots for wanting to uphold the value of personal responsibility, there must be something wrong with you. A voice for people skeptical of both political parties? Wanting the American people to understand why every penny is being taken from their pocket and put into government coffers goes against everything the left believes. If you think Barack Obama is a symptom of the problem, raised in academia, embedded in the institutional left with radical values like Saul Alinsky’s, sold to us by Hollywood with creative and artistic videos viewed by tens of millions, you’re wrong. It’s Bush’s fault.

Perhaps these events became more noticeable to Chris Baker last year, because Republicans began to see how well it was working for the Democrats and are now getting in on the action. We are failing to hold any of them accountable. Maybe we do suck.


What kind of leader do you want?

What kind of people do we want in government?












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