NATIONAL AG DAY WINNING ESSAY

Essay Winner - Miriam Martin
Bucklin, MO
Meadville R-IV High School
"American Agriculture: Feeding the Future, Filling the Gaps"
"Destiny is not a matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” When William Jennings Bryan made this statement in his famous speech titled “America’s Mission” in 1899, he had no idea that the word’s population was projected to exceed nine billion by 2050. However, he did realize that if America was going to succeed in future generations, we had to be prepared, proactive, and persevering. The responsibility to sustain America and the potential to feed the world is within American agriculture.
The first step in feeding the future is being prepared. This requires educating American consumers, constant innovation within biotechnology, and a clear vision for the future. Opportunities range from teaching elementary students where their food comes from, to speaking with legislators about how regulations affect production agriculture’s livelihood. Taking advantage of international markets and funding research to increase safety and efficiency is absolutely necessary. More food will have to be produced in the next 50 years than the last 10,000 years combined, if we are going to accomplish our goal of feeding the world.
Secondly, we must be proactive when it comes to showing others that we care about the well being of our animals. Being willing to share our story and listen to others’ concerns is very important. When we are open minded and willing to cooperate, we discover solutions to problems instead of magnifying them. I am a beef and pork producer that understands how transparent I need to be with my quality assurance programs. People don’t care what you have to say until they know that you care. Caring means staying informed about the safest handling techniques, giving tours of your operation to the public, and being involved in social media. We must consider our environmental impact and be stewards of the land.
In order to succeed we must persevere. American agriculture cannot be focused on simply feeding ourselves; that would be selfish. We are striving to feed the future, and that means thinking and educating globally. When we work with scientifically advanced countries, it ensures consistency and predictability. This requires perseverance to work with different cultures, values, and standards.
As William Jennings Bryan said, we are given a choice. We have the option of stepping up to the challenge or shying away. My plea is that America cares enough about the fact that someone dies every 2.43 seconds of starvation, to do something about it. This will take the determination to prepare, courage to be proactive and conviction to persevere. I believe American agriculture has the power to feed the future and fill the gaps.

The Facebook Addiction

Reprinted from Friday, August 28, 2009 You walk past the computer, you stop, you click your web browser, you navigate to Facebook, you log on, you’re just going to check the latest postings rom your friends and then log back off. But since you’re already logged on you might as well check your Farmtown, Farmville, Roller Coaster Kingdom, Sorority Life, Mafia Wars, play a couple quick games of Farkle and Bejeweled Blitz. Don’t forget to hit your friends with a pillow, sling some food at them, and send them a smile and a heart. How about a dancing fruit or vegetable, join a couple causes, or show support to your favorite team? And best of all, you have a new friend request. Who is this? Oh well it doesn’t matter they want to be my friend. Now I have 652 friends and counting. What was going to be just a momentary glance has now turned into 2 hours of internet time. The clock is at midnight and you’re still accepting gifts and farming. How did that happen? What is it that draws so many of us to the social networking phenomenon? An addiction? The numerous activities that have introduced themselves to us through the Facebook site has created many countless, although mindless, hours of internet enjoyment. Facebook has truly evolved into a craze with its networking and social interaction. People are connecting with current friends, reconnecting to old friends and making new friends for the future. So is this a problem to be reckoned with or just a passing fad? Some bloggers have given this and other website addiction behaviors names such as; Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD) YouTube Addiction Disorder (YAD) Twitter Addiction Disorder (TAD) Blackberry Addiction Disorder (BAD) Facebook and other social networking sites fill a need to connect that many people want. It allows for multitasking of our connection to people who are important to us. It allows the introverted to be extroverted without leaving home. Family members can stay in touch at the click of a mouse with photos, video clips and web postings. Social networking can be considered addicting when it takes priority over the goals and responsibilities of everyday life. Yet unlike other addictions, such as drug, tobacco or alcohol, it is much easier to quit, it is not directly physically harmful and will in many cases phase out in time. So while social networking provides many benefits it’s still important to remember to connect to the outside world. Take a walk, go for a bike ride in the park, read a book, turn off the electronic devices and enjoy the outside world. The internet is only one way of connecting to the world, take a moment and explore your options.

Why Should we Celebrate Flag Day?

Flag Day, June 14, a time to reflect on our flag and "the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Almost a year after the continental congress had declared independence from Great Britain ,on June 14, 1777, they commissioned the creation of an official flag for our new nation. "Resolved: That the flag of the United States be made of 13 stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation." Although it was informally celebrated on June 14 since 1885, Flag Day didn’t become an official celebration until it was named such by an act of Congress and President Truman in 1949. Today, however, it seems many have forgotten what the flag represents, and "Old Glory" seems to make news only when it is desecrated, ridiculed or burned. It is in the news when protesters at the funerals of brave American soldiers use children and the flag to “make their point” claiming the right of free speech just as have others through the years. Such acts bring a feeling of revolution to most Americans who love their country. An infamous decision of the U. S. Supreme court in 1989 proclaimed flag burning a constitutionally protected right of free speech. Even so to most Americans it remains a reprehensible act and those who engage in such behavior are considered to be lacking in patriotism and decency. . For over 200 years, the "Stars and Stripes" has been a symbol of freedom, liberty and economic opportunity to the poor, hungry and downtrodden of the world. Though it may be tattered and torn by the forces of nature and the hazards of war, the flag has been held in high esteem by those who have fought and died to preserve its honor. Representing hope for the oppressed and safety for the afflicted, the American flag in the past has been applauded, cheered, and venerated here in America and around the world. The father of our country, George Washington, explained our flag saying, "We take the stars from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing Liberty." The colors of our flag – red, white and blue – were later adopted by the Continental Congress in 1782 for our Great Seal. Charles Thompson, secretary of the Congress at the time, explained to the Congress the meaning of those colors: "White signifies purity and innocence, red, hardiness and valor, and blue ... signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice." Henry Ward Beecher, a Congregationalist minister during the Civil War, observed that when a person sees the flag he should see the nation itself: "Our flag means, then, all that our fathers meant in the Revolutionary War; all that the Declaration of Independence meant; it means all that the Constitution of our people, organizing for justice, for liberty and for happiness, meant." Throughout our history, Beecher explained, the flag has stood for the "Divine right of liberty in man. ... That it meant, that it means, and, by the blessings of God, that it shall mean to the end of time!" In today’s cynical, indulgent and self-centered society where virtue, morality and patriotism seem to be all but forgotten, many take the blessings of living in this free society for granted and use our cherished flag for silly protests, crass commercialism and promotion of immorality. But today as we celebrate Flag Day, let us instead dwell on what the flag really means. I hope some will take the time to recall those brave young men who in 1945 raised the flag on the island of Iwo Jima after one of the fiercest fights of World War II, inspiring others to continue to fight. I hope we will remember the flag planted on the moon in 1969 that showed we can conquer seemingly impossible new frontiers. We must not forget the solitary flag at Ground Zero that stood amidst utter disaster, demonstrating our unity and perseverance in times of great sorrow. Please remember all our brave men and women defending our freedom and our nation in the military both at home and abroad. Let us return the "Red, White and Blue" to its rightful place as the grand symbol of an extraordinary country blessed by God. The Star Spangled Banner Lyrics By Francis Scott Key 1814 Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion, A home and a country should leave us no more! Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Memorial Day Memories

I am sitting here tonight watching a Memorial Day PBS special on television. It makes me wonder how many others are taking time this weekend to remember or honor our men and women in uniform serving today and give recognition to those who have served in the past. We should give thanks to those whose lives are changed forever because of what they did for this country and for me and for you. I will remember with gratitude those who are serving today and those who served in Vietnam, Korea, World War II, World War I, the Civil War, the war of 1812, the Revolutionary War and all those who honorably served throughout the years keeping us safe in our homes. It saddens me, when I think of the many sacrifices, that this is looked upon as a “holiday” as a time to go to the lake, a ball game, to relax and party with friends and never give a thought to why the day was really created or those who made it possible for them to have the freedom to celebrate as they please. Today I have family members serving in the military, My grandson, J T Haack is stationed with the air force in Mountain Home, Idaho. My grandson-in-law, Judson Gatch is a submariner serving in the Navy and stationed in Kingsland, Ga. Nephew Quintin White is serving with the Air Force stationed in Germany. Grandson,Grant Alber, recently served in Iraq fighting with the Stryker unit from Ft. Lewis Washington. Travis Stevens, step-grandson served in the army reserves. My son Jesse Alber, went into Iraq as part of the “tip of the spear “ when the order came to invade Iraq. Before the Iraq war my son Ted Alber served his country in the army and was stationed in Germany. Son in law Jerry Haack served in the United States Navy.  Two of my brothers served in the United States Army during the Vietnam war. Allen stationed in Vietnam and Willie stationed in Germany. My father was in the Navy during World War II and an Uncle, Jay Wollom suffered for 3 1/2 years as a prisoner of War of the Japanese, taken prisoner on the Philippine Island of Corregidor April 9, 1942. How do you say thank you to someone who spent 3 1/2 years in hell, so you can be free? My family has a rich, full history of military service to this country which family members have traced back even to the revolutionary war. Lt. James Albert Guinal was killed while fighting with Colonel Herkimer at the battle of Oriskeny on August 6, 1777. His daughter , Cornelia, who became my g-g-g-g-g-g-great grandmother wasn’t even born yet at the time of her fathers death serving his country. Pvt. Isaac Morgan, of the 10 NC regulars fought for freedom at the Battle of King Mountain in North Carolina in 1780. There was also Joseph White, Solomon Delong, (who also fought in the war of 1812) Joshua Grant, Capt. Nathaniel Squires, Abijah Perry Sr., Abel Johnson, and Joseph White all were ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War. Four or Five of Joseph White’s grandsons fought in the civil war. Thomas McGonagle served in the war of 1812, and Nathan Howard in the French and Indian War. My great grandfather’s Uncle Pvt. Wilson McGonagle of Company B 30th Ohio infantry was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the battle of Vicksburg (Mississippi) on the 22nd of May 1863. Hugh Birney of company F, 98 regiment Ohio Infantry was wounded on Oct 8, 1862 and died 19th of December as a result of wounds he suffered at the battle of Chapel Hills in Kentucky . Wesley Birney also served in the civil war. My grandfather Grant’s brother Austin served in World War I. We have always had family members serving to remind us of the sacrifice involved to keep our nation free. We know that "freedom isn't free." Someone will pay the price. I hope more people will take the time to remember and appreciate what these brave Americans and many others who’s names we don’t know and will never know, have done for all Americans. And remember those brave Americans who are serving today insuring that you and I have right to live in a “free” nation. Many of these brave heros are gone, you can not tell them that you appreciate their service, but you can show your appreciation by serving your country here, at “home”. Volunteer for non profit organizations that are making life better for the less privileged in our community, volunteer in your church, volunteer to help the elderly, volunteer to help the youth. Show your appreciation for what has been done for you by doing something for someone else.

Thoughts on Community Service

Orginally published on the NTV website April 3, 2008

A couple of years ago Oprah had a contest. People were invited to submit an essay and request Oprah's financial assistance for a worthwhile project that provided assistance to their fellowmen. At that time Jesse Alber wrote the following submission on behalf of the Hastings Kiwannis Club. I found it interesting, so I decided to post it here. SA

Oprah's Big Give Submission

We have all heard the worn out old chinese proverb " Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a life time."I have often wondered if I teach a man to fish, what else will he do, will he give others fish, will he teach others to fish or will he just be a fat and happy fish eater for the rest of his life. What if I taught a man not only to fish but to teach others to fish as well by teaching him to fish I may be able to change his life By teaching him to teach others to fish I may be able to touch a hundred lives. America's Greatest Generation, those born between 1910 and 1930, is slowing fading away, the Baby Boomers (1940 - 1960) are reaching retirement, and Generation Xers (1960-1980) are starting to take the leading roles. However, our society is being shaped today by the Millenials (1980-2000) more than any of these other generations. The amazing thing is, they just may be better than we ever dreamed of being. The Millenials represent a return to patriotism and community service that easily rivals that of the Greatest Generation. They are civic minded. They were taught to think in terms of the greater good. They have a high rate of volunteerism. They expect companies to contribute to their communities-and to operate in ways that create a sustainable environment. These kids, now age 8 - 28, are starving for the chance to serve their communities. So, we give them opportunities to sell cookies for cancer or to clean up local parks each spring. But aren't we really just giving them fish? Wouldn't we serve them better if we taught them to fish? What if we set up and supported long term programs to teach them to fish? To teach them how to serve their communities? Even to teach them how to teach other's to serve their communities? Hastings Kiwanis advocates this vision every day by providing opportunities to serve and learn service for every member of our community through Service Leadership Programs. Through these opportunities, youth and young adults become competent, capable, and compassionate leaders who are prepared to go fishing and to give fishing lessons. Kiwanis programs include K-Kids for elementry students, Builder's Clubs for junior high students, Key Club for high school students, Circle K for College students and Aktion Club for adults with disabilities. The goal of these programs is not just to give kids an opportunity to serve, but to create life long service providers who in turn will teach the next generation the value of service.Participation in these clubs has been outstanding. As I said, these kids are starving for the chance to serve their community. Their enthusiasm is so great that the teachers (Kiwanians) sometimes have trouble keeping up with the students. With the right support, I can only imagine how valuable the impact of these kids will be to our communities when they reach their full potential. On behalf of the Hastings Kiwanis Club, I respectfully request the support of NTV and Oprah's Big Give for the training of service leadership to our youth. Your support would enable us to provide more opportunites to experience the rewards of service and to learn from that experience. Your support would enable us to prepare more service leaders for the future and to ensure that the values of service were passed from generation to generation with each generation's capacity to think in terms of the greater good even more profound than the last. The name “Kiwanis” means “we trade” or “we share our talents.” It was coined from an American Indian expression, Nunc Kee-wanis. Please help us share our commitment to service for generations to come.

Mistakes of the Past

As I've been away from Blue Hill shortly after my 1987 graduation, I expected things to change over the years, people, businesses, houses, and even the school. When things change, they usually change for the better so these types of advancements shouldn't surprise anybody that has a perception of reality. I've seen these types of changes in several dozen visits back to my hometown. My grade school, that every year at enrollment, smelled of cherry wood varnish. I recall the newel post at the top of the stairs being tacky with newly laid varnish every year. I remember walking into the library, cavernous at the time, and recalling the smell of stale books, that musty, basement like odor. The smell of the homemade chili and cinnamon rolls baking in the cafeteria permeated every corner of every room. That changed when I graduated to the high school. There the smells were different. It was the smell of cleaning solutions and hard, cold metal of locker doors. The harsh odor of chemicals oozed from the chemistry room. Near the front it was the smell of the wood shop wafting down the hall on the current of air coming from the open shop door. These smells, I know personally, I hold as intimate. The grade school has since closed, merged with the high school to incorporate everything under a single roof. A move for the best, to be sure. Even as the move is for the best, it is still difficult to see trash litter the old school yard and only imagining what could be inside destroying my childhood. These are changes that were expected. Changes for the better. What hasn't changed however is the adolescent actions of those that are still tangled in the web of idiotic actions of their family members or themselves. There is an old addage, paraphrased, 'Those that don't learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them.' I know that perhaps this post will go verboten by the master of the blog, but I will chance that it will remain available for all to see. I've noticed the last few times I've been back home, that it was still the same old people, doing the same old stupid things. I will refrain from mentioning names, but those that read this will know to whom I reference. It's the same people and same families that were causing trouble when I was in school. It's the same people and families causing trouble before I was is school! Many in the professional, analytical world would contribute this type of patterned behavior as either coming from a lack of guidance or just plain ignorance. I would have to say from my point of view that it is both! This type of antiosocial behavior is imminently criminal, bordering on psychotic to say the least. Some individuals included within this verbose text, of which I apologize to those that lack the attention span to read, are using an argument of, 'I didn't get enough respect when I was younger.' Again, change is for the better and don't you believe that a change in your pattern of thinking is overdue? For those that find it humorous, as your family has in the past, to rebuke society, thumb your nose at its laws, and create havoc, we say your time is over. We as a society cannot afford to waste time with your childish antics nor should we be expected to. We as a society expect you to toe the line just as we do to move forward through life. It is time the paradigm shifts! It is not valiant to constantly throw yourself face first into the windshield of the law anymore than it is heroic to fight city hall with a sword forged with anger, resentment, and hostility. Our time for change has come! Our time to be rid of you as a plague of society is our earned right by the mere fact that we have not only gone forward without you, but in spite of you. You make your presence unwanted by your simple existance. Be gone with you and your trivial ways. Brad Hargis Springfield, MO

Letter to the Editor: Public Option for Crime Prevention

A recent conversation with friends turned to the topic of crime. The consensus of the group was that criminal activity was out of control and rampant in our world. Some felt that a huge deterrent for criminal activity would be swift execution of the criminal sentence. An “Old West” type of vigilante justice. No more allowing death row inmates to sit in prisons for decades waiting for their sentence to be carried out. Not only did some feel that punishment should be immediate but should also be public. The community should be involved. They felt that public acknowledgment of crimes would make an impact that would make potential criminals rethink committing a crime. The knowledge that punishment would be immediate is a far greater deterrent than knowing it could be years before a punishment is given and when given would be prolonged even further. Children are taught at a young age that for every action there is a reaction, if you break the rules there is a punishment. When children witness punishments of their peers does it not help deter them from making the same mistakes? Not always but I believe it has an impact so why wouldn’t the same hold true with witnessing punishment for a crime? If the public witnesses the punishment of a convicted criminal could this not potentially deter someone from committing a crime? Public knowledge of crimes committed can be a deterrent. Media that reports facts apparently makes an impact. Obviously some are ashamed to have such information made public (I don’t think they would protest quite so loudly if they weren’t) Facts are facts and shouldn’t be hidden away behind glitz and glamour. Criminals should not get notoriety but should be acknowledged. The safety of a community depends on how aware it is of what is happening in and around it. We don’t want to live suspecting everyone we meet is a potential threat to our safety. Without adequate information what hope would we have that we wouldn’t become a victim. Hilarie Haack Woodbine, GA

Editorial Comment

By Sylvia Alber I recently read a “joke” on line. It read like this… A man was sitting in a town meeting, heckling the mayor as he delivered a long speech. Finally the mayor could stand it no longer, so he pointed to the man and said “will that gentleman please stand up and tell the audience what he has ever done for the good of the city.”“Well, Mr. Mayor,” the man said in a firm voice. “I voted against you in the last election.” In Blue Hill, while no one can brag about having voted against the Mayor in the last election, no one will have to admit to voting for her for mayor. Or most of the rest of the council. As we should all know the mayor was not elected to the position of Mayor by a vote of the people. The position was granted by default after the resignation of the previous elected Mayor when he was forced to decline the position because of his failing health. When a Mayor in Blue Hill is unable to fulfill that position and is replaced during the term that position falls to the president of the city council so I guess we can say that the members of the city council put the present Mayor in that position by making her the president of the council. In the last election, unlike the one just previous to it, there was a full slate of candidates, four candidates to be elected for two city council positions. Elected to the positions were incumbents, Keri Schunk, and John Schwab. They defeated candidates Ed Wademan and Tim Eiseman, who each received a significant number of votes during the election. So if an opening should occur during the term lots of thinking people would have thought one of these two individuals would have been a logical choice for that position as they were voted for by a number of people. Or even the additional two individuals who had put their names on the ballot in the primary election, Mike Hall or Jerry Hamik. But not, so according to Mayor Schunk. Now with the Mayor moved from her position on the city council to the position of Mayor there is a vacancy on the council, so an appointment must be made to fill that position. After a long and drawn out process finally a nomination is made by the Mayor, not nominated are the individuals who had expressed a willingness to serve in that position and had been voted for by many people, no election this time, the public did not vote, the council approved the nomination by a vote of 2 to 2, and with the Mayor casting the deciding vote another city council member was on board. A council member not elected by the public but put on the board by the mayor, hand selected. This council member is “elected” with three votes, the mayor and two council members. Then after a lot of name calling and lies are spread around a council member who was elected in a legitimate election, honestly elected, even though he was elected with five write in votes because there was no one willing to step forward to take the position, is recalled after stating in a public forum that he was through and had enough of the ridiculous process being called city government in Blue Hill . Again it falls to the Mayor to appoint someone to fill the open position. Again the Mayor does not discuss her selection with the council she advertises in numerous forums for a candidate for the position. She does not reveal the names or qualifications of those candidates who agreed to be considered for the position, even to members of the city council and with no fan fair whatsoever she announces her selection at the city council meeting saying, “ I nominate Albert Grey”. No introductions necessary, I guess. She does not state his qualification or any reason for her selection. She does not express any confidence in his ability to serve. So with five votes Albert Grey is on the council. Hand picked by the mayor. Later she is quoted in the Hastings Tribune "....I think there were some people that had a conflict of interest who wouldn't have worked, but they were all very qualified and would've worked fine." ???? they would have worked or they wouldn't have worked, which is it?. So let’s summarize, No one voted for Keri Schunk for Mayor, four council members voted for her for president of the city council, a position that she no longer holds. Mark Petska, who was appointed by Mayor Russ Willems to fill an open position on the council because no one would run for the position. He was put into place by a 2 to 2 vote with the tie broken by the mayor. Doris Hartman was put in place with a 2 to 2 vote after having been nominated by the Mayor, with the tie broken by the Mayor Keri Schunk. And finally the newest position was filled by Albert Grey who was not elected by the people but appointed and that appointment approved by the city council. We have two members of city government who received more than five votes to be in the position they hold. So we have only two honestly elected members of city government, Jesse Alber and John Schwab. What does that say about the people of Blue Hill? Several years ago I attended a city meeting when Mark McFarland was mayor, there was an open position on the council to be filled. He discussed all the candidates and their qualifications with the council, he did not make the decision all by himself but involved all the elected officials in the decision. I guess Mayor Schunk has enough insight she doesn’t need any input from the rest of the council but I was more comfortable with Mayor McFarlands methods. So where do we go from here.? I am looking forward to the next election. _______________________________________________________ 　 The preceding comments are the opinion of the writer and should not be taken to reflect the views of Blue Hill Today or anyone associated with Blue Hill Today other than the author.

Commentary by R. Tone Kister

Death is never a punishment! by R. Tone Kister Most of us have been conditioned to believe that, somehow death is a punishment. We hear people say, “I hope he gets the chair for what he did”, or “Killin’s too good for him”. Meaning, of course, they are condemning them to the ultimate punishment by the very act of the person dying. On the other side of this anger is love, and how often do we express our ultimate love for someone by demanding that everything be done for them to keep them alive. Even at the expense of their quality-of-life. Does this not imply that death is the supreme awful. But wait, our thinking becomes convoluted when a beloved pet becomes irreversibly ill, and we “humanly” choose to “put-them-down”. Many, many people are convinced that animals do not have a continuation of life after death, but are equally convinced that humans do. More convolution, if animals don’t live on after death and people do, then how can rationally, death be a punishment for humans and a kind release for animals? Unless not continuing life is better than continuing. Plum goofy thinking it seems to me. Death is merely graduating from mortality. Death is never a punishment! No one can die until it is time. To do so, would imply that perhaps God is not in control all of the time, and that is not even a consideration for me. I do believe a person can make choices that will impair their abilities adversely. But death does not ever result unless it is time for them to graduate. Conversely, I believe nothing can be done to prolong “quality life” when it is time to graduate. I believe the medical profession can improve or retain a better quality of life for anyone destined to stay in mortality with medications now. In the future, cloning one’s individual parts, will be a much more desirable solution to the aging of the body. I believe all good comes from Heaven. I also believe Satan always attempts to turns the good from Heaven to evil. Satan was long ago cast out of Heaven along with a third of the Angels, and sent to Earth to rule. It is no wonder to me that he and his demons have so much influence in all areas, and must be constantly monitored. Because Satan and his demons are spirits and are invisible, it is easy for them to convince the unwary they don’t even exist. This of course, makes it possible to move about the mind freely and spread their evil wantonly, like germs and bacteria. If ya can’t see it, it ain’t real, right? I believe Satan and his demons cannot influence us unless invited, and that’s where it gets really tricky. How many ways can he be invited? After all, right now this is his turf and he has been properly described as the master of deception. . . Heavenly Father allows Satan and his followers to tempt us as part of our experience in mortality. We do not have to give in to Satan’s temptations. We have the power within us to choose good over evil. Satan is the enemy of righteousness and those who seek to follow God. He is a spirit son of God who was once an angel , but in the premortal Council in Heaven, Lucifer, as Satan was then called, rebelled against Heavenly Father and he persuaded a third part of the hosts of heaven to turn away from the Father. As a result of this rebellion they were all cast out of Heaven and sent to earth to rule, without bodies, until the millennium. Neither Satan nor any of his demon followers can influence us without our permission. How do we grant permission? That’s where the tricky part comes in. He tries to lead us away from righteousness through ridicule and discrediting Holy things. He casts doubt on individual accountability and undermines the sense of family. Like the frog and hot water story, he supplies us with small samples of corruption so we don’t even realize until it is too late, we have been trapped. This can come to us in a multitude of ways including; through our associations, and of course television and the internet. Evil has no conscience! It will use us for as long as we are useful to it’s end, and then cast us off as so much worthless junk. Satan can reign supreme by convincing mortals he does not exist. Those so convinced, are helpless to his influence, because no one can fight against something they think does not exist! There is no defense. There is a strong defense for those that do not fall for the Satanic lies, and continually monitor their own behavior. Keeping it simple, like; “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, or “Am I hiding this from others because it would embarrass me if they found out”. We can place red flags up in our minds and abide by them with a greater assurance of success. The single most important word to live by is “Respect”! If everyone respects themselves and every one else, all the time, we will not have spouse abuse, child abuse, crimes of theft, crimes of passion, war, dishonesty, cheating, fleecing, quick uncontrolled tempers, insults, enemies, put-downs, ridicule, or untrustworthiness, and any sense of misery will be reduced to physical pain and or monetary inadequacies. Which can be monumental !

Letter to the Editor

Firstly, I should tell you, I smoked three packs of cigarettes per day for more than thirty years. I was an arrogant-smoker inasmuch as I smoked when and wherever I wanted. If someone suggested to me in any form that I should not smoke at that particular moment, I would bristle and let them know in no uncertain terms that I had a right to smoke, period, and if they were not comfortable with my smoke they could leave my presence. Now having said that, lets get on with it . . . Today we have much knowledge pertaining to the hazzards of smoking, both to the individual with the lit cigarette in the mouth and the innocent bystander. Of course, there are those that would refuse to believe there is any danger to themselves or others in smoking, just as there are those that believe our trips to the moon were staged on a movie lot. Denial is powerful and indiscriminate. However, the proof that smoking is killing, is positive and true whether it is denied by some or not. It randomly devastates not only the individual smoker, but people, animals and plants in the presence of smokers. Any qualified electronics technician will tell you it is even detrimental to VCR’s, computers, etc. The death of those affected by tobacco whether smoking or chewing is not ever desirable. I say not desirable, because I really believe there is an element of suicide involved with many current smokers. Given the absolute knowledge of the risks of smoking, we can compare smoking to playing Russian Roulette. If a person, male or female, were to walk into a room with one bullet in the cylinder of a six-shot revolver, spin the cylinder, point the gun at you or your child or grandchild and pull the trigger . . . How would you feel about that as the parent or grandparent? Would you feel any differently if the child was a brother or sister? What if this person were to again spin the cylinder, point the gun at another, and pull the trigger? How long would you continue to allow this person to behave this way before you did something about it? Would you just walk away, separating yourself and/or the child, or would you actively try to stop the individual with the gun? Would you try to understand the gunner’s point of view pertaining to their right to their behavior at that moment or would you find their right to behave this way nonexistent? Now ask the same questions of smokers. . ! The only way smoking in the presence of others is any different from the Russian Roulette Player above is the speed in which the harm is induced. Everybody present in the above scenario knows who gets hurt and when, but with the smokers that fact is not so instantly evident. I met a man a few years back, when I was smoking three packs a day. He walked into my repair shop and started pumping on a Primatene-Mist bottle. He then walked over to the counter less than 15 feet away and again started pumping on the Primatene-Mist. I asked him what was the matter, he replied with great difficulty, “Emphysema!”. I then asked him how long he had been affected by it, and he again replied with great difficulty, “Eight years!”. That was the moment I came to my senses and quit smoking. The thought of being like him for eight years was so undesirable to me . . . I did not fear death then, nor do I now, but to be imprisoned in a body like his for even a moment, let alone eight years was so undesirable to me that my cigarette smoking stopped dead that day. My anger toward the tobacco industry swelled for producing a product that could be so harmful to even one person let alone millions of people, animals, plants, electronic devices, etc. Today I listen to the arguments of the right-to-smoke and it seems as ludicrous to me as the rights of a Russian Roulette Player. In retrospect, I suppose one of the most ineffective laws we passed was the law insisting the tobacco industry place warning labels on their products’ package, because they now use that to escape prosecution. Think about that for a minute. The arrogant tobacco companies, who fought the warning labels in the past, spending massive amounts of money to produce doubts as to the dangers of tobacco use, today use the very warnings that were placed there, in hopes of preventing the informed from placing themselves in harms-way, as an “out” from prosecution, saying, “The smokers were warned, but ignored the warnings, so they have no one to blame but themselves!” Doesn’t that irritate you, just a little? We listen with horror, to the descriptions of the effects of bombs on buildings and persons involved in terrorist activities. We hear of dismemberment, disfigurement, pain, agony and despair. We hear of lives that are permanently scarred and changed for the worse, and we think, “Gees, what kind of an awful person or persons could do such a thing!”, and we have no mercy for the individuals involved, and yet . . . Even tho, the effects of inhaling tobacco smoke are not as immediate, they are just as, or even more so devastating, because the affect on people and families is more insidious, it takes more time, usually years to develop the calamitous effects of tobacco use, and then it is easy to raise doubts as to tobacco even causing these murderous effects. There are those that would tell us the evil people producing and selling tobacco products are not the monsters that bombers are. A mass murderer is a monster by whatever means he or she uses, period! I find little difference between the manufacturers of Crack-Cocain, Heroin, LSD, or Methamphetamine and the life-threatening, life-altering product we know as Tobacco! Neither do I find any difference between the distributors of the products of the drug-culture, and the distributors of Tobacco products. Both, are producing and/or disseminating illness and death at an alarming rate. The people hooked on street-drugs and the people hooked on tobacco, both, are destroying their own lives and the lives of those coming in contact with them. I think back to my attitude with regard to smoking when I smoked and find it truly shameful. It embarrasses me to think I could be so naive. I started smoking to appear adult, because that was the adult thing to do. Well, when I was even younger I wet-my-pants, but I stopped that, because it was the adult thing to do! At least I was correct half the time!Lets do something about tobacco, the manufacturers and the distributors! What can you do? Well a lot depends on your motivation. . We need to understand, just harassing the maker, distributor and user is not going to get us very far. We also know that education is not the solution, denial is far too strong for education to be anymore than somewhat effective. What then? We all, who are concerned for the well-being of our loved ones, young and old, friends and strangers, must come up with an alternate, non-harmful use for tobacco. By doing that, we will drastically reduce the incentive to promote tobacco use by humans, and the tobacco industry can divert their efforts towards this alternative, safe tobacco use. We must also stop immediately the federal government subsidizing the tobacco industry! It would be beneficial to put pressure on the sellers of tobacco products starting today, by letters and conversation with the store owners and managers and associates declaring your displeasure with their part in the distributing of these lethal products. Letters to and conversation with, the government officials in local, state, and federal government, also stating your displeasure with their part in not actively participating in the removal of tobacco use by humans all over the United States, indoors and out. Folks, the devastating effects of tobacco use is fully documented by every person, house pet or sensitive electronic device that has suffered from exposure to it. If we do nothing, this suffering will only continue. If you do not use tobacco yourself, you will most likely be an unfortunate victim of second-hand smoke some years in the future. Certainly your children, friends, house pets and total strangers will suffer. To take no active part in putting an end to this evil, is giving it your blessing, and just as the tobacco companies are saying to the users, “It’s their own fault, they were warned!” The same will be said about you, and the rest of us that do nothing.We are the only ones that can make a difference - it will not happen by itself! Tone Kister 409 North Kansas Avenue Hastings, NE 68901

Small World

by Sylvia Alber I guess we have all heard the phrase “small world” when we meet someone we didn’t expect to meet in some unfamiliar place. The small world concept first hit home with me several years ago when I had the misfortune to spend a considerable amount of time in a hospital waiting room in Lincoln while one of my children was a patient at St. Elizabeth’s burn unit. The waiting room where I spent so much time was never lonely, there seemed to always be several people waiting there for word of their critically ill family member or friend. So to ease the tension it was not unusual for us to make small talk with the other occupants of the room. I knew two families in Lincoln at that time, My husband's uncle and his family and my mother’s cousin and her husband, both wonderful families who took me into their homes and did all they could to make that difficult time more bearable. So it was almost without fail that during my conservations the names of these people would come up and over and over again, the person that I was talking to knew either one or the other of them. I was completely astonished that in a city of over a hundred thousand I kept meeting people who knew these people that I knew. Several years ago an experiment was undertaken to prove the “small world “ theory where participates in the experiment were asked to “find” a target person several states away. They were given limited information about this target person and if they didn’t know the person they were asked to send the information to the person that they did know that they felt would be the most likely to know target person. This study is where the term “six degrees of separation” came from. The target person seldom needed more than six connections to be found. Some times they were located in just two or three connections. Small world. My husband related a story to me about a “small world” connection. Norman was pretty well known I guess as his friend Chuck Van Boening was relating to him an instance where he had been in the eastern part of the state and met and individual there and upon telling this person he was from Bladen, NE. He was asked if that wasn’t close to Blue Hill where Norm Alber lived. Then Chuck went on to tell Norm of an experience he had while traveling overseas, I think it was Austria where Chuck & Mary were touring, but keep in mind, I heard this story secondhand, so I might not have all the details right, but I am sure of important parts. Chuck and Mary met and had meals with another couple on the tour, George and Delilah Ralston. The Ralstons were from Yakima Washington. As they were visiting the VanBoenings mentioned that they were from Bladen, Nebraska . The Ralstons stated that they owned land near Rosemont, Nebraska. Chuck came back with the fact that he was born in Rosemont, Nebraska. “Well, then maybe you know Norm Alber who farms my land” Ralston said. “Know him, well yes, I had coffee with him at the country store the morning before I left for this tour.” Chuck answered. Small World. Then Dan VanBoening had to tell his “small world” story. It seems Dan had a foreign exchange student living with him. He took the young man to Lincoln to a Nebraska football game. As they arrived Dan saw someone he knew and they exchanged greetings. Before long Dan was greeting another individual, and then another. “Do you know every one here?” the exchanged student asked. “Well, maybe not everyone, but if I don’t know them I know someone they know” Dan answered. The exchange student couldn’t believe that, with 100,000 people there that Dan would either know everyone or know someone they knew so they made a bet. Dan said “you pick anyone in this stadium, you choose the one and I know that person and I will know someone in common.” So the student selected an individual at random. Dan then went up to the individual, introduced himself and then said “hey, do you know Tom Osborne?” Needless to say the answer was yes. Small world.

The Facebook Addiction

You walk past the computer, you stop, you click your web browser, you navigate to Facebook, you log on, you’re just going to check the latest postings rom your friends and then log back off. But since you’re already logged on you might as well check your Farmtown, Farmville, Roller Coaster Kingdom, Sorority Life, Mafia Wars, play a couple quick games of Farkle and Bejeweled Blitz. Don’t forget to hit your friends with a pillow, sling some food at them, and send them a smile and a heart. How about a dancing fruit or vegetable, join a couple causes, or show support to your favorite team? And best of all, you have a new friend request. Who is this? Oh well it doesn’t matter they want to be my friend. Now I have 652 friends and counting. What was going to be just a momentary glance has now turned into 2 hours of internet time. The clock is at midnight and you’re still accepting gifts and farming. How did that happen? What is it that draws so many of us to the social networking phenomenon?

An addiction? The numerous activities that have introduced themselves to us through the Facebook site has created many countless, although mindless, hours of internet enjoyment. Facebook has truly evolved into a craze with its networking and social interaction. People are connecting with current friends, reconnecting to old friends and making new friends for the future.

So is this a problem to be reckoned with or just a passing fad? Some bloggers have given this and other website addiction behaviors names such as; Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD) YouTube Addiction Disorder (YAD) Twitter Addiction Disorder (TAD) Blackberry Addiction Disorder (BAD)

Facebook and other social networking sites fill a need to connect that many people want. It allows for multitasking of our connection to people who are important to us. It allows the introverted to be extroverted without leaving home. Family members can stay in touch at the click of a mouse with photos, video clips and web postings.

Social networking can be considered addicting when it takes priority over the goals and responsibilities of everyday life. Yet unlike other addictions, such as drug, tobacco or alcohol, it is much easier to quit, it is not directly physically harmful and will in many cases phase out in time. So while social networking provides many benefits it’s still important to remember to connect to the outside world. Take a walk, go for a bike ride in the park, read a book, turn off the electronic devices and enjoy the outside world. The internet is only one way of connecting to the world, take a moment and explore your options.

Thanks for Listening,

Facebook Addict

Note From Editor:

Become a Friend of Blue Hill Today on Facebook, NOW!!

A Lesson on Socialism

Original Author Unknown An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before but had once failed an entire class. That class had insisted that socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer. Most of the class came to the agreement that this would be good for our country. Redistribution of wealth would be good for all. The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on socialism. All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A. After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy. As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little. The second test average was a D! No one was happy.. When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F. The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else. All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great, but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed. Couldn't be any simpler than that.