The Public Pulse, July 16

Don't use tax dollars for this

I have to disagree with U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., on his proposal that the Federal Emergency Management Agency should pay claims for flood damage for people who bought flood insurance policies under the assumption that all they had to do was wait for 30 days before coverage kicked in.

While I have a great deal of sympathy for those who have suffered losses due to the flood, I don't think taxpayers should pick up the tab for people who bought flood insurance only because the flood was imminent.

We can blame the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers all we want, but the facts are that the Missouri River has always been at risk of flooding and federal flood insurance has been available to property owners for years.

These people chose to ignore this risk until it was too late and then tried to take advantage of the flood program and taxpayers.

Look for more of the same when ObamaCare becomes law and people wait until they're sick before buying health insurance.

Mike Miller, Omaha

Stress abilities, not disabilities

A July 13 news story was both heartwarming and sad about Julia Sullivan, who is embracing life and her passions despite being born without legs and with arms that stop at her elbow.

Meeting life's challenges head-on, by taking dance classes and being part of her high school marching band, is an example many of her fully able schoolmates should emulate. It's a shame she cannot be allowed to join her fellow students as a cheerleader to rally support for her team on the sidelines.

High school provides only a limited time to create memories that last a lifetime. Julia should not be denied her memories due to the myopia of those on the Aurora, Neb., school board.

Julia inspires by how she lives. Kudos to her for not letting a disability define her. Too bad those at the school board have.

Thomas A. O'Hara III, Omaha

Strong sentence was justified

Unlike Dan J. Anderson (July 8 Pulse), I'd like to express my gratitude to Douglas County Judge Joseph Caniglia for sentencing Sarah S. Danoff to one year in jail for providing alcohol to a minor.

We all must appreciate the difficult decision of Judge Caniglia as he weighed the evidence in this deadly case. A special thank-you also must go to City Prosecutor Marty Conboy for his diligence in this case.

For far too long, alcohol-impaired young people have caused death, injury and destruction to others in our community. These tragic consequences are always possible when adults, like Ms. Danoff, break the law and provide alcohol to minors. Her bad decision was an intentional act of an adult to be complicit in the illegal consumption of alcohol by a teenage family member.

The experience of the past has been light sentences for adults providing alcohol to minors. Our community must expect prosecutors and judges to hold adult procurers to the most severe sentences when found guilty.

Paul M. Carter, Omaha

Executive director, PRIDE-Omaha Inc.

Book is an insult to OPS staff

In 32 years of teaching, I've worked with African-Americans, Caucasians and Native Americans, among others. I've taken them to both high school and college sporting events on my own time and money. I receive Christmas cards from several of my former students and send them cards as well.

If I worked for Omaha Public Schools, which thankfully I do not, I would be forced to read and discuss a book that promotes hatred against white males, no matter what obstacles they've had to overcome to achieve success.

All OPS teachers should feel insulted by their school board, which is in effect saying that teachers cannot be effective unless they think a certain way.

The 11 board members should be forced to resign for making this outlandish decision. To preach victimization to our students by telling them life is unfair is doing a disservice to every student and school employee.

Bill Jacobitz, Papillion

Futile wars hurt U.S. economy

During President Barack Obama's July 11 press conference, an elephant lurked in the room.

No significant mention was made of the biggest reason we're in trouble economically. Wars without end continue to sap our ability to pay for critical services. The latest study has put the tab well over $4 trillion.

Not only was the president sadly quiet on this point, but no one asked one question about the costs of these wars.

It's repeatedly been stated there will never be a military victory in Iraq and Afghanistan. Meantime, the cost in human suffering is infinite to those involved and their friends and families.

The economic costs of sustaining endless wars cannot be justified. It's time to recognize that we cannot rule the world or save it. Foreign occupations do not make friends and rarely work for the good of either party.

Stephen P. Horn, Blair, Neb.

Congress must work together

The U.S. Congress is dysfunctional. Just when you think it can't get any worse, it does. Why can't elected representatives think more about our country and less about their beloved political parties?

Why can't officials spend less time worrying about raising money and getting re-elected and more time worrying about economic problems?

Why can't the so-called leaders, Republicans and Democrats, quit blaming each other for the country's problems and spend more time working together to solve them?

As long as we allow our elected representatives to continue to ignore our nation's problems and protect their parties and their jobs, our nation will continue to deteriorate. Time is running out. Elected officials should do their jobs and get about the urgent business of saving our country.

Frank J. Barrett, Omaha

Nursing wherever there is need

I injured myself in a fall at a local mall on July 7 and was promptly attended to by the store's emergency response team.

A passerby came to our assistance as soon as I had fallen. She simply said, "I am a nurse." She left only when the situation appeared under control.

My husband and I thank this caring and helpful person. She is a credit to her profession and to Omaha.

Carmen Mattes, Omaha

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