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Letters, 8/8: I choose Wal-Mart

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Tuesday, Aug 08, 2006 - 12:12:50 am CDT

I just want to let the mayor know that even though she is forcing a Hy-Vee on us, I still am going to drive all the way to Wal-Mart! My neighbors and I wanted the Wal-Mart because we enjoy shopping at Wal-Mart.

I moved here from a small town, and I drove to Wal-Mart for my needs then, so the drive now doesn’t kill me.

We moved here because our children live in Lincoln and love it. The only difference is they rent. We own. Ouch!! Except for the dictatorship of the mayor, it has been a pleasant experience.

I thought our elected officials were working for us, the people. On several occasions, especially the Wal-Mart issue, the mayor said she would not allow it.

Barb Conley, Lincoln

Motorsports needed

I want to share with you my extreme displeasure in finding out that the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners let a few uninformed citizens convince them to ruin the chance to bring thousands, if not millions, of dollars to your county.

Drag racing is a multibillion-dollar industry. Its fan base rivals that of NASCAR and many other athletic sports. The National Hot Rod Association membership is the largest of any professional motorsport.

In the past, I participated in and attended the races held at the Nebraska Motorplex in Scribner. That track was more than three hours from my house, but I attended four to six times a year. If the facility was closer, it would have enabled me to attend more often.  

If you had a chance to attend or participate in the Americruise that took place in Lincoln, you would see the kind of volume of people and income that events like this could bring to your city and county.

Drag racing is a very friendly and family-oriented sport that brings friends and families together. Large Christian groups such as Racers for Christ help spread a positive attitude and togetherness to the sport. If you have never attended any type of professional drag racing event, I strongly suggest you attend one to enable you to see the type of safe, positive, upbeat competition that exists.

I wish the commissioners would rethink their decision to prevent the dirt mining that would enable the building of a motorsports facility in Lancaster County. This would be one more positive thing to bring people to your county and our state.

John Ebke, Fairbury

Doctor serves well

Imagine yourself being a small-town physician, dedicating 20-plus years to the welfare of those folks. Many become friends, most are neighbors, and some are relatives. You are generally committed 24/7, 365 days a year, to those in your small town.

Imagine after 20 years that a select few residents and a few newcomers decide it’s time for a change … a bigger hospital and a couple more docs. In a town of 1,100, there may be room to grow, if it’s done with a fair plan and some compassion.

Then again, maybe it’s time to squeeze out the older guy. Is he negligent, incompetent or ready to retire? Most folks who know Dr. Robert McKeeman of Friend would answer “no” to those questions.

So why all the blaming, game-playing and probationary sanctions coming down on Dr. Bob? Where’s the evidence of medical negligence/wrong-doing? No one seems to be able to answer those questions, and yet he is being banned from seeing his patients at the hospital he’s served for so long.

As a former resident and graduate of Friend High School with family ties still there, I’ve seen this thing become a divisive feud between members of the community. Patients are now being forced to drive to Crete or Geneva for emergency or general medical care. These hospitals have no problem allowing Dr. McKeeman medical privileges.

No one likes to change doctors if they’re happy with the one they have, who knows them and their medical history. It’s the people of Friend and surrounding communities who are bearing the brunt of this feud in terms of expedient medical care.

It’s time this jury of five listen to the people they supposedly serve and put political and financial motivation aside. Who knows, if things continue to deteriorate, the Friend hospital will become just another long-term care facility. Or maybe “Friend” will have to change its name and claim to fame!

Cheryl Morton, Lincoln

Shame on Dr. Gott

Wow! After checking what year it was, I felt compelled, as a registered nurse who is certified in infection control, to respond to Dr. Peter Gott’s inaccurate information (about hand sanitation for medical workers, LJS, Aug. 1).

First, hand hygiene saves lives! The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published the Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings in December 2002.

In this document, 423 research articles were utilized for the most accurate research being performed in regard to hand hygiene. The document itself strongly recommends the following procedures for implementation, which are supported strongly by well-designed experimental, clinical and epidemiologic studies:

 When hands are visibly dirty or contaminated with proteinaceous material or are visibly soiled with blood or other body fluids, wash hands with either a non-antimicrobial soap and water or an antimicrobial soap and water.

 If hands are not visibly soiled, use an alcohol-based hand rub for routinely decontaminating hands in all other clinical situations.

The public can feel safe when their health-care provider is using a hand sanitizer to decontaminate their hands prior to providing their care. In studies examining antimicrobial resistant organisms, alcohol-based hand sanitizers reduced the number of multidrug-resistant pathogens recovered from the hands of health-care workers more effectively than did handwashing with soap and water.

Shame on you, Dr. Gott, for not keeping up to date with the latest research.

The CDC Standard Precautions guideline states the need for personal protection equipment whenever there is the potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Wearing gloves is essential for protection from a needlestick as the drag of the needle through the glove reduces exposure.

I encourage the readers of Dr. Gott’s column to not always believe what they read, take a look for yourself and ask the true experts their opinion.

Shawn Westadt Mueller, Seward


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Wm wrote on August 8, 2006 5:47 am:
" Don't take my WalMart or Hyvee which both helped kill the small town. Maybe you should sell and move closer to the other WalMart since its so emotional for you. "

 c.h. wrote on August 8, 2006 5:52 am:
" There are a lot of comments after yesterday's letters section that show that the public wants and would support motor sports in this city. It seems to be a knee-jerk reaction of our leaders in this area to say no to anything that would bring in entertainment or revenue. It feels like, when presented with a proposal (such as a drag strip) their automatic reaction is to look horrified and say, "Oh, no no no, that idea could lead to people ENJOYING themselves! Can't have that, wouldn't be prudent!" "

 NASCARNelly wrote on August 8, 2006 7:22 am:
" Paranoia. That's the knee jerk reaction we're seeing. Ignorance. That's the other one we're seeing. Blatant stereotyping of the type of person wanting a motor complex and Lincoln's residents shunning that stereotype. Bah Humbug Lincoln. You have no clue. It's a hugely popular type of venue, allowing for a wide range of interests. These 'hobbies' aren't cheap either...upwards of thousands of dollars for the vehicles that race. It's good clean fun, and you just don't get it. You'd rather live in your cave and look out the entrance and judge those you might not have something in common with. "

 JG wrote on August 8, 2006 7:41 am:
" I am beginning to think that the city and the major will not "allow" anything that doesn't bring profit directly to them. Forget the city would really like to grow with the times and become the place to go - not omaha - but like my grandma used to say, if someone is continually holding on the hind end of it and not letting it grow it will eventually die. So city council and Mayor Seng - let go and lets us grow. "

 connie wrote on August 8, 2006 8:11 am:
" Don't mourn the small town yet, Wm. Rumers of it's death have been greatly exaggerated. Lincoln's high taxes have caused a mass exodus to the outlying towns, and smoke-free Lincoln has sent droves of city-dwellers to small town restaurants and bars to relax! Keno revenues have changed the face of Denton. Don't bury them quite yet! "

 peb wrote on August 8, 2006 8:14 am:
" I'm in a quandry. I don't like WalMart's labor practices or their bullying of manufacturers BUT since WalMart is sponsoring PFLAG's (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Tri-Regional Conference in Chicago in November, I may have to do some rethinking. "

 Justin wrote on August 8, 2006 8:20 am:
" I have no knowledge of the details of this doctor's suspension. From reading past articles concerning it, it seems no-one else does, either. However, reading between the lines, it seems extremely suspicious that only one small hospital suspended his priveledges, while the larger hospitals still welcome him. It speaks to the man's excellence taht his patient's are willing to drive to other cities to remain in his care. Something fishy is going on here! "

 Terrance wrote on August 8, 2006 8:26 am:
" Barb conley,haven't you heard Lincoln IS the mayors town, not ours. It'll be happy days for Lincolnites when she is booted out of office next election. She has done nothing for Lincoln except hurt it. "

 SKB wrote on August 8, 2006 8:32 am:
" I wholeheartedly agree with Cheryl Morton about Dr. McKeeman. He has always been a kind caring doctor to everyone. This is something Friend badly needed. Where is the hard evidence of his negligence/wrong doing? I've been waiting to see it since the first article I read in the Journal Star this spring. If he had really done something wrong they'd have turned it over to the Medical Board for the State of Nebraska and we'd know what was going on. As it is, you know there is nothing to go on because the hospital board has nothing except some "outsiders" looking to bring in their own people and squeeze out a wonderful doctor. They're looking to become another cold impersonal "corporate" hospital. There are more than enough of those out there. Let Dr. McKeeman do what he does best - treat his patients. "

 Carla wrote on August 8, 2006 8:55 am:
" I think you'll have to give better reasons for building a huge new Super-Walmart then the fact that you enjoy shopping there. Do you also enjoy your taxes subsidizing Wal-Mart? Do you enjoy your taxes funding the Medicaid for their employees because they do whatever they can to get around providing decent health insurance for them. Do you enjoy the lawsuits they've been fighting for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act, child labor practices, amongst other various wage and hour lawsuits? Or how about the 1.6 million current and former female employees who have filed the largest class action lawsuit in history due to systematically denying them promotions and paying them significantly less than men? Do you enjoy that Wal-Mart was responsible for 1/10 of the U.S. trade deficit with China in 2005? If Wal-Mart was an individual economy, it would rank as China's 8th biggest trading partner, ahead of Russia, Australia, and Canada. I'm sure you also enjoy that a substantial number of Wal-Mart employees earn far below the poverty line. Too bad you weren't around for the depression! I'm sure that would have been like Christmas in Heaven for you. "

 MR wrote on August 8, 2006 9:14 am:
" Welcome to the big town Barb! Here in Lincoln we have Wal-Mart, Target, Hy-Vee, Super Saver AND Shopko. Variety is the spice of life, you may find that you enjoy shopping at other stores, or even that Wal-Mart doesn't Always have the lowest prices in town. "

 Crony wrote on August 8, 2006 9:14 am:
" Well it was going to be a HyVee or a Russ's/Super Saver. In this city Old Money rules. Does anyone honestly think the mayor or the city council run things? Heck no, the Rayboulds, Abels, Whiteheads, and the people that own Douglas Theaters run this town. "

 Mark wrote on August 8, 2006 9:20 am:
" Wow. A person who loves WalMart. And another who wants auto racing here in Lincoln. Those are some things to be proud of! Gaslight will be full again if we get racing. Although, racing could do one good thing in bringing the city lots of money through cigarette tax revenues. "

 JT wrote on August 8, 2006 9:36 am:
" A smoking ban and as few Walmarts as possible, sounds good to me, what's everyone complaining about? I went to Czech Fest in Wilbur the other day and I think I have emphezema from spending a half hour in one of those smoke filled bars. "

 Jorge wrote on August 8, 2006 10:47 am:
" Morton points out just one of the many declines in healthcare of our stae. The governor and his party have failed to fortify a better Nebraska. The road to ruin is evident and citizens of Friend know we need change in the governors office and in the House of Representatives. The answer is not in status quo incumbents, but in change and a better plan. Voters it is your time to stand up, our nation and soldiers deserve a more reponsible stewardship and real leaders...not just words from politicians. "

 Bob wrote on August 8, 2006 11:27 am:
" Conley has not been forced into anything, her liberty to spend money where and when she wants remains intact. In Lincoln we are seeing a variety of options, while they might not be the mix some citizens would want, the menue of retail selections and locations is increasing. Myopic and stubborn mindframes don't see this and remain biased rather than objective. That attitude fails Lincon and our city is stronger when her citizens realize the quality of life is pretty good here. Like the ol' gal or not, she and the city council HAVE done some good things these past months. "

 Hemet wrote on August 8, 2006 11:38 am:
" I would say the Mayor is delivering decisions to keep the town small and livable. If people really wanted a big, thriving town they would vote for bigger and better infrastructure. As long as they vote down infrastructure bonds, the message is to keep it small. Does anyone think a large corporation would be happy with one-lane 35 mph roads that beat, bump and bang an auto to an untimley death? "

 JA wrote on August 8, 2006 12:02 pm:
" Ya, big stores may cause some headaches for smaller ma & pa shops but you know what, with prices of utilities and gas and other products and services rising, I'm sure many are with me in that most people have to find savings anywhere they can, and discount stores help the consumer save money. I'm willing to find my own shoes and bag my own groceries if I can save a few dollars. How many small businesses in small towns offer health, savings or 401k plans or bonuses? How many of them offer overtime or increasing paid vacation? If you're not the boss and/or taking in profits of the business, why not look for a job with incentives that increases the value of your work? I think this is why government jobs are so sought after. I don't find fault with small retail business, times are changing and everyone who wants to be successful has to change also or find something different. "

 Sparki wrote on August 8, 2006 12:22 pm:
" What is there to enjoy about Wal-Mart? Paying bottom dollar for crap merchandise that won't last a year? Or buying made-in-China goods that support what could be called slave labor and the exploitation of children and a human rights policy that borders on evil? Or giving your money to greedy out-of-state corporations instead of supporting your neighbors right here in Lincoln? "

 Brian wrote on August 8, 2006 1:56 pm:
" Last I looked sparki, EVERYTHING was made in China. And, just an FYI, Hy Vee is from Iowa and is the one store that is NOT more expensive than Lincoln's own Russ's Market. Super Saver is ok....but then again, you get what you pay for. I love taking all the weekly ad's into Wal Mart and they match EVERY sale price...be it food or merchandise. Saves time and money having to shop all over town to save a buck or two. If you look at the labor practices of Hy Vee...they are no better, and even worse than Wal Mart. All that area needs is 400 more part time jobs. Is that enough yet sparki? "

 sg wrote on August 8, 2006 2:23 pm:
" Gee Sparki...sounds like you know it all....btw...have you checked out just how much the local WM give locally??? Check out the board in customer service sometime....they pretty much give any time someone asks...as far as slave labor...I'll take the 'slave' wages they pay at WM - beats the wages at Russ's/Super Saver & Target by about $2 an hour or more....I don't have a problem of supporting the locals - but they are just as greedy as the next guy....the good ol' boys need a little competition... "

 Gary B wrote on August 8, 2006 2:32 pm:
" Mark, your comments are as ignorant today as they were yesterday, and no matter how much you want to believe that race fans, Wal-Mart shoppers, and trailer park residents are the scum of the Earth, they'll always have one leg up on you...they're not nearly as judgmental. "

 Chevez wrote on August 8, 2006 2:42 pm:
" Human rights issues that border on criminal? Our governor and the brethern of a Part remain supporters of meat packing lawbreaking and hosting of illegal immigrants. That is one of the most evil practices our state allows...and its roots are deep in politics. Immigrants and the people of this state must seek moral victory to attain it. "

 Another Jay wrote on August 8, 2006 2:47 pm:
" What is enjoyable about Wal-Mart is walking out of the store with said crap merchandise, made by the hands of Chinese child slaves at the cost of human rights, AND having an extra six dollars in my pocket!!! I don't care where my money goes, I just know I want to keep more of it in my wallet. Oh, and by the way, while their merchandise may partially be foreign made, the average Wal-Mart hourly-paid employee makes about twice the minimum wage ($10.11, and no this doesn't count managers), and they've just announced a plan to increase entry level wages by about 6%. So, in my eyes, they are supporting my neighbors right here in Lincoln by paying them more than your average Russ's store does. "

 Spanky wrote on August 8, 2006 3:03 pm:
" WalMart is sponsoring a PFLAG get together? Boy, that's the last time I shop there. Mark, I have some friends back in Kentucky who'd like to meet you. Ever seen Deliverance? Moonshine and double-wides and velvet paintings of Elvis. That's my American dream. Or do you just not approve of anyone else making life choices that are disagreeable to you? NASCAR and cigarettes are a breath of fresh air. I'll take them anyday over fancy poodles, perfume and $500 shoes. "

 Larry wrote on August 8, 2006 3:43 pm:
" It's amazing how many people fall for the myth that Walmart has the cheapest prices. Just because they say it's so???? Come on people, you can comparison shop just as I do. Walmart is not always the cheapest. Not even most of the time. Don't be suckered so easily. What's fun about about shopping in a crowded mess? "

 Brian wrote on August 8, 2006 4:27 pm:
" When I take in all the weekly ad's to Wal Mart, I am pretty sure I am paying the lowest prices when I am ad matching from all the other grocery and "big box" stores. Hy Vee and Russ's DONT pay what Wal Mart does "

 john wrote on August 8, 2006 4:30 pm:
" I do generaly comparison shop and the majority of the items I purchase are much cheaper than other places. Some items aren't, but if I can get 85% of the grocery or other items I need in one stop for less money that going to russs' or hyvee, I will. I would completly support a drag strip were it to be built in lancaster county. right now I have to drive my car out of town to do amatur drag racing. I spend quite a bit of money doing this and would love to be able to go north of town to race or even view racing. "

 Whitney wrote on August 8, 2006 5:32 pm:
" I mostly like walmart because I can get everything from computer supples to garden supplies to kids underwear to groceries, in one stop. The prices for staples (cereal, canned goods, pasta, etc.) actually IS the cheapest in town. (unless you want to go to Sam's and buy by the truckload!) Paper products, and foil, trashbags, and the like, are more expensive at walmart than than russes, hy vee or sunmart. For the best meat, it's Ideal or russes. Actually, you can't beat russes for fresh meat, quality AND price. Convenience is walmart's attraction. Since they sell the same name brands as the other stores, I don't think the complaint about inferior quality is valid. Don't like walmart's labor practices, but they have long recognized 'domestic partners' in their benefits packages. I congratulate them on hosting PFLAG. "

 peb wrote on August 8, 2006 7:46 pm:
" Yep, Whitney is right. WalMart does recognize domestic partners. And their logo is right there, front and center as a corporate sponsor of PFLAG's Tri Regional Conference in Chicago. It was a surprise to me. I haven't stepped a foot into the south WalMart but may have to change that! "

 JAC wrote on August 8, 2006 9:39 pm:
" wellll...1st "fatality" of the Hy-vee at 50th and O ... Bag N Save on 46th and Vine. Not only is the mayor forcing another Hy-Vee on Lincoln...she's not gonna be happy 'til she forces all of Lincoln to shop there too. Disgusting. How long does she have left in office...any time is too long. Some of us even though we work full time at decent jobs can't afford to shop Hy-Vee. What a joke "

 Wally World wrote on August 8, 2006 11:06 pm:
" Did you know that Wal-Mart does not charge the same price for the same item in its different stores, even in the same town? Check it out, have a shopper at each store compare items via cell phone. If you didn't know this dirty little practice, you do now. Does anyone know if other chains do this as well? "

 dtw wrote on August 8, 2006 11:49 pm:
" Did you know that Big Tobacco gave a charity $250,000.00, and then turned around and spend $25,000,000.00 telling us about it. Walmart is no different. They advertise every little thing they do. Russ's,Supersaver, and Hyvee don't. They have better things to do like helping the consumer. If you only knew all the things they gave back to the community. Bottom line is that Russ's, Supersaver, and Hyvee serve our community and my family more than Walmart has ever(anywhere). For all of you out there that think Walmart is always the cheapest, do some research for yourself. I was in Chardon's Walmart the other day and the same products I seen in Lincoln's South Walmart had an incredible difference in price. So go ahead shop at Walmart until they are the only ones left. I guarantee one thing, Walmart will not be cheap. "

 ks wrote on August 9, 2006 8:43 am:
" Go ahead and blame Mayor Seng if you need to, but a Wal-Mart did not belong in the two proposed locations. Thankfully, she was willing to do what she knew was right. I live in Prairie Village and the location of the new Hy-Vee is much more suitable and appropriate. I've also heard about Hy-Vee's poor wages, so I'll be sending a letter to their headquarters and the manager when the new store opens. I'll also welcome the convenience of having a grocery story in the area. It's long overdue. "

 AB wrote on August 9, 2006 8:49 am:
" You can pick Walmart or Hyvee, I really don't care. My biggest problem with the whole mess is how the mayor went about it. When Walmart wanted to put in a store, that was ALL you heard about on TV, in the newspaper and at every council meeting. The neighbors of that area were at every media outlet complaining they didn't want the increased traffic or the problems that come with a shopping store that size. Well, let me ask those same neighbors now--do you really think a Hyvee surrounded by a bunch of smaller stores including a gas station and a liquor store is going to look any better or have less traffic? come on! If you really had those complaints before, they should stand the same now, but no one is saying boo. Once again, Grandma mayor gets exactly her way and comes out looking like a hero. Personally, I can't wait until she's out of office. "

 Lindsay wrote on August 9, 2006 9:56 am:
" This is cracking me up! A fight over the best place to shop. I like having a lot of choice personally. I don't care for Wal-Mart, but it is handy for some things. I am personally a Target girl, because it's clothing and home accessories are more up to date than Wal-Marts. And I love $500 shoes as well. This is the most assinine debate ever on this blog... "

 Gary B wrote on August 9, 2006 10:08 am:
" ks, so what you're telling me is this, while you have a problem with Hy-Vee's low wages, it's not so bad as to drive you away from doing business with them? Here's the problem, they will not get the message until people quit doing business with them...they don't care what people think about them as long as it doesn't affect their bottom line. Hit them in their pocketbook and they start listening...until then, you can write letters until your hand falls off, the only thing you'll accomplish is to fill their recycle bin. AB, has it right...one big Wal-Mart or a bunch of smaller stores...you're left with the same problems. The only bright side is, if you're Mayor Seng, you get to say you defeated Wal-Mart! Hoooray! "

 Carla wrote on August 9, 2006 10:51 am:
" Apparently you don't understand that you aren't really saving that much at Wal-Mart when your tax money is subsidizing the billionaires. Please check this out... www.wakeupwalmart.com With all of this praising of trailer parks, Wal-Mart, and mentions of Deliverance in the face of support of the gay community, all I can really think of is the brain drain out of our communities in into larger, more progressive cities. Quit wallowing in your ignorance while you "squeal like a pig!" It's just so pathetic. "

 catg wrote on August 9, 2006 11:55 am:
" Wally World--do your same comparison with the different Super Savers--they don't charge the same prices at 27th & Cornhusker that they do at 56th & Highway 2. They have a person in the B & R corporate offices that "ad matches" the ads from the surrounding competitors. check it out, generally you will find things a penny (or more) cheaper at Super Saver than you will at a neighboring store--but not necessarily the same as the Super Saver across town. A member of my family worked there for a number of years. Sadly, the wages aren't much--It was pretty funny to me to see the B & R people get all upset about the wages at Walmart. (kettle-pot...) "

 Josh wrote on August 9, 2006 11:56 am:
" I can't believe some people fall for the myth that everything at Wal-Mart is junk made by slave labor in China. An RCA TV purchased at Wal-Mart is made in the same place whether it's sold at Wal-Mart or at Best Buy.... and The Cheerios or Wonder Bread I buy at Wal-Mart is no different than those same items at Hy-Vee, except they are cheaper. I do a lot of comparison shopping, and almost everything I buy at Wal-Mart is cheaper than it would be at other stores. And low pay, no benefits? Give me a break, their pay and benefits are in line with what anybody else in that same type of business pays. Do people who stock shelves at Shopko or HyVee earn more and get more benefits than those who do that job at Wal-Mart? NO! Fact is Wal-Mart pays the same or even more, but they just get the bad rap because these types of jobs are simply low paying jobs, and Wal-Mart is the biggest company providing these types of jobs, so people focus on them instead of Shopko, Target, Hy-Vee, etc, etc, etc,etc. "

 Sparki wrote on August 9, 2006 1:27 pm:
" Gee Brian, et. al., in case you haven't noticed there are other places to buy your groceries than HyVee or WalMart and other places to buy electronics than Best Buy. I do the bulk of my grocery shopping at the Farmer's Market and Ideal. Locally raised food. Tastes better and cost the same or just a little more. But I'm supporting my neighbors (farmers, bakers, etc.) and I feel pretty good about that. I've never purchased a television in my life, so I have no idea whether or not you can get one that isn't made in China. And yes, a LOT of the crap sold in the U.S. is made in China but that doesn't mean there aren't any options. You can look more carefully at what you buy and what choices there are out there and buy something made elsewhere. I'm pretty successful at it, and thanks to the labelling requirements here in the U.S., you always know where something is made. I'm not opposed to overseas goods altogether -- just the ones that are poorly made or made by countries that have immense human rights violations. And Wal-Mart stuff IS mostly crap that is going to break/wear out/shrink/fail/etc. so that you have to throw it out and buy something new next year. That's their freaking POLICY, and I just have better things to do with my money than pour it down the Wal-Mart (or Best Buy or You-Name-It) drain. --Sparki "

 Josh wrote on August 9, 2006 1:54 pm:
" Sparki, I will agree with you that some of the stuff at wal-mart is cheap crap, that is a given. However many of the items they carry are truly just name brand items that you could buy anywhere else. And as far as food, I do a lot of comparison shopping with that, and most items (not all, but most) are cheaper at Wal-Mart than anywhere else. Funny thing is, with some of the best electronic equipment you would be best not buying "American made", because the best are usually made in Japan, or even made by Japanese companies with factories in..... yes, China. I understand supporting out country when possible, but best quality does not always mean "made in America"- there is a lot of crap made in this country as well. "

 fed up!!! wrote on August 9, 2006 2:34 pm:
" I also grew up in Friend, have family there and care very much for the future of my hometown. A key part of this future is the success of our hospital. While I only know four of the five Hospital Board members personally, I have known those four my entire life and know them to be honest and respectable people. I find it simply impossible that five people with five totally different backgrounds would agree to the suspension without merit and a belief that what they were doing is right!! The issue with Dr. McKeeman is not polical, it is a health safety issue. If the Board knows certain facts that cannot be made public, they must act on them, or the entire hospital can be liable. This would be detrimental to the hospital and the entire community. When I read these comments about the two new doctors coming in to sabatoge Dr. McKeeman, I want to puke. Obviously, there are enough sick people to go around, and Dr. McKeeman was offered the opportunty to participate with the new doctors and chose not to at the beginning. People need to get their facts straight!!! Finally, everybody says what a great doctor McKeeman is, and maybe to them, he is. But, as a former patient of his until I left Friend at 18, I always thought it a bit strange he felt the need to give breast exams to incoming 7th graders. Even stranger is that none of our parents knew he was doing this - gross!!! "

 GMP wrote on August 9, 2006 3:23 pm:
" Who cares who shops where? Shop there and be happy. If you don't like racing, don't go. But let those who do enjoy it. If you don't like smoke, stay home or go elsewhere or wear a mask. If you don't like the mayor/city council, then get off your @#%% and vote in the next election instead of complaining afterwards. Yeah PFLAG. America is free. Like what you want and don't like what you don't. Just let me enjoy the same privileges. "

 Karen wrote on August 10, 2006 10:04 am:
" I agree with GMP for the most part...except the smoke or stay home. Why not 'don't smoke or stay home'? More people don't smoke than do, and as evidenced by the butt-strewn sidewalks, it is very easy to spend a few minutes outside smoking between drinks. "

 Also fed up wrote on August 10, 2006 1:30 pm:
" People must not remember the 20/20 special 5 or so years back about bad doctors. Doctors do not rat out other doctors. They protect their own. The only way people will ever find out about a bad doctor is if someone takes them to court. Then the facts are public knowledge. This is the problem in Friend right now. No one knows the details. The only way anyone will find out the specific facts of why this happened is if Dr. McKeeman himself takes the hospital to court. I believe that is the only way anyone will ever find out. If this would have happened in Lincoln/Omaha no one would even question it. The Friend paper had the offical letter from the hospital stating why they suspended him. It was recomended by an outside auditor, not the other doctors on staff. No one in town seems to get this though there thick heads. I guess if you don't know any different you think you have the best. As they say ignorance is bliss. All I know is if he's making mistakes he won't be treating me. "

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