Help those who lost homes         

To whom it may concern:

I do not live in or near Lincoln. In fact, I live over 1½ hours away. Years ago, however, I did live near Lincoln and enjoyed the hometown pride and loved the little downtown shops. The people were always so friendly and willing to help out anyone in need. That is why I'm writing this. I grew up in a small town and I just can't believe that someone so selfish would contribute to Lincoln. In fact, I feel that Holiday Inn Express should have offered rooms at a discounted price or something (anything) to help out your local citizens whose homes were destroyed by Mother Nature. I was so distraught by this I even e-mailed the Holiday Inn chain.

I travel for a living -- every week someplace new. I stay at many hotels, and Holiday Inns are in the top two that I prefer. I have to say that my mind may be changing now. I have stayed at Lincoln's Holiday Inn Express and had a pleasant stay, but I know for a fact I will no longer choose that hotel in the future.

[to top of second column in this letter]

I hope that the management at the Holiday Inn Express will never be in a situation where they need help and support from the community, because I fear they will no longer get it!

God bless those in need and all that are helping! I hope the community will find strength in numbers to help them rebuild.

God bless,

Melinda Anderson

Cuba, Ill.

(posted 6-2-04)

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Open letter to President Bush Jr.         

I realize you have a lot on your plate right now, Mr. Bush; however, a lot of us in this upside-down world are suffering too. For instance, today I paid $10 for under five gallons of gas with ethanol added, plus an additional $5 to put gas in my hand-driven lawn mower so I could come home from work tonight and mow my acre of rented ground!

1 watched C-Span 2 this morning and listened intently as the Democrats told us just what I've guessed... Our gas prices are due to the oil refineries conglomerating and shutting down the little guys (promising them their share, right?), while we count the miles and pay the price! How are your oil wells doing, Pres.? Then the lone Republican from somewhere got up and told us how lucky we are to be living in this country. WE KNOW THAT... Tell us why YOU, Mr. President, aren't getting up on your high horse and telling those Arabs to start producing more oil and FAST!

I'm a two-year college person, sir, and I know enough to see through the oil industry's plan. I want to know if your oil refinery is full and idle just so you and your cronies can make a million off this damnable scheme to rob the American people once more. You claim to take a great deal of pride in the "little guy." Well, why don't you start thinking like one of us then? Get these oil tankers moving and get the lead out and find Bin Laden and kill him, just like his men did Mr. Burke!

I am a Republican and do try to see your side of this mess. I do understand it was prudent for us to get rid of Saddam; however, I thought the main objective of our 9/11 payback was supposed to be Bin Laden?!? Instead of having his head on our platter, over 700 of our boys and girls have paid the price for freedom [as of May 19] and "Bin" is still around!

You want to be re-elected in November, don't you? Maybe you think all that oil money will be enough to do it; but, be careful, there are a lot more like me out there that USED TO BE ON YOUR SIDE, SIR! I guess you'll just have to wait for the final count to see just how mad we former Republicans are, won't you?

Sincerely,

Dorothy J. Paxton Butler

(posted 6-1-04)