Thanks to Ozzy
With the passing of Michael Jackson I have been pondering the offset of an individual's personal behavior versus contributions to entertainment. In stark contrast to Jackson's personal behavior eclipsing his enormous talent, another icon's positive personal behavior is probably not even recognized.
I have a photograph of Ozzy Osborne with four of my fellow soldiers in Bosnia. U.S. soldiers were sent there to stop the ethnic cleansing between the Bosnians, Croatians, and ethnic Serbs. Ozzy was there to thank the U.S. soldiers.
There are not that many folks who will walk into a combat zone, unarmed, with the intention of shaking the hand of an American soldier. It says a lot about his character. More so than the sensationalized reports of eating bats, snorting ants and public urination. Ozzy Osborne's visit to Bosnia meant a lot more to my friends and fellow soldiers than I think he will ever know.
When entertainers seek the public's attention, then they are subject to being scrutinized, exposed, commended, criticized and even unjustly condemned.
I do not have any criticism of Mr. Osborne. I just wanted to say thanks.
Brian Sweeney
U.S. Army, Retired
South Boardman
Veterans lose benefits
I wonder if the people of Michigan are aware that Gov. Granholm cut tuition benefits to all of our active and non-active past Michigan military members.
No, she did not take a pay cut nor did anyone else in the state government.
If we all are honest with ourselves we can admit these young men and women put their lives at stake for one main goal: to pay for their education and or to better themselves.
They are not taking drugs, sitting on their butts doing nothing, partying till dawn, receiving unemployment, collecting welfare benefits, illegal aliens getting aid. They are brave young men and women willing to risk their lives for our safety. They have been to Iraq, Afghanistan, or some other threatening country and have served their time or are still serving their time or are in active reserves.
How dare Jennifer Granholm take away their tuition benefits. How dare she?
There are many other things she could cut away for her budget. Many, many things but how dare she take away from our young and brave Michigan soldiers.
Ilene Cook
Kalkaska
Clean up past first
It is quite common for those who have Medicare to also have a supplemental health insurance policy in order to receive proper medical care.
In both Medicare and Medicaid there is abuse of the system and fraud.
We constantly hear horror stories of irregularities in the Veterans Administration hospitals and clinics.
The Internal Revenue Service seized a "sporting house" in Reno for non payment of taxes. The IRS attempted to manage this enterprise to recoup monies owed. It was closed down.
Our federal government cannot sell prostitution or whiskey. Do you really want them to run your health care on the national level? Don't let them try this until they can clean up their past failures.
Patrick McNamara
Beulah
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