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Letters, 5/6: What's the next excuse?

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Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 12:20:04 am CDT

You're right, Mr. President. Democrats are to blame for the ills of the world.

Democrats are to blame for preventing your administration and six years of a Republican-controlled Congress from sending our country into a tailspin.

We are embroiled in a war over mythical WMDs that is costing us billions of dollars and thousands of lives. We've put our future in debt by borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars from foreign nations.

We've failed to create policies that could lead to energy independence. Experts have long said drilling in the Alaska wildlife refuge would have little or no impact on world oil prices.

Apparently, the president's only strategy is to deny it (as in, we aren't in a recession and Iraq is not a quagmire). Or blame it on someone else.

What's next, the dog ate my homework?

Mary Jane Bruce, Lincoln

Foundation should step up

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln being $20.4 million short as soon as it got the State Fair land is no surprise to me. It's always what the university wants, it gets.

Then the taxpayers and students' tuition get hit.

I have one simple question. Where are the university foundation funds?

The foundation, which has a fund of $1 billion, is as usual in the shadows.

How about it steps up to the plate for once and gives us a break.

Vaughn D. Hackstadt, Lincoln

Try natural gas

After reading the article, "Utah drivers fill up with natural gas at the pump" (LJS, April 26), I was left pondering one simple question: Why doesn't every state have gas stations with natural gas?

With gas prices soaring, it confuses me as to why more people do not demand cheaper alternatives.

In my opinion, the government should be doing a lot more research in order to be able to provide cheaper fuel to its citizens. And if people would take even half of the time and energy they use complaining about gas prices and actually do something about the issue, then maybe Utah wouldn't be one of the few states that offers

natural gas.

Utah, as well as California, have proved there are many advantages to using natural gas instead of regular gasoline. We all need to wake up to the reality that gasoline is not the only option. One would think that as the gas prices rise, people would begin to find other forms of transportation to get around.

The simple fact of the matter is that our actions are not matching up with our words. Maybe Nebraskans should take some initiative and lead the way for the rest of the nation.

It's true that converting a vehicle to run on natural gas or buying a new vehicle that does might pull a bit of money out of your pocket at first. However, doing so will result in more money in your pocket further down the road.

Heather Scott, Omaha


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Henry wrote on May 6, 2008 12:43 am:
" Yes Ms. Bruce, Mr. Bush has caused the country great pain on many fronts. The senseless war costing trillions, the economy in a sham thanks to his crazy spending and the average American showing no confidence in the future of this country. No doubt we will see any Democrat who wants to be President elected to that office. Nevertheless it is very doubtful this destruction can be corrected any time soon by anyone or any party. "

 Hey Mary Jane wrote on May 6, 2008 6:52 am:
" Does it also seem interesting to you that the Journal Star endorsed our current president, TWICE!?!?
Wonder who their next presidential endorsement will be. Might be wise to vote for the other person? "

 John wrote on May 6, 2008 7:16 am:
" Uhhhh....Mary Jane, We actualy are NOT in a recession. A recession is a specific economic measure consisting of two successive quarters of negative growth in the GDP. I don't believe we have suffered even one as of yet.

Yes, gas prices are very high right now and it's unfortunate that people allowed themselves to become over extended or believed that there was no down side in a 'too good to be true' mortgage. But, that does not equate to a recession, despite what people who are running for office or have an agenda to help or hurt a particular political party tell you. Shame on them. They know better.

To combat higher gas prices we just have to drive less, car pool more, take public transportation, etc.. and drive down demand. But, we won't do that. That would mean taking some accountability. Easier to just blame others for our plight. "

 To John wrote on May 6, 2008 8:00 am:
" We also need to give up SUV's and drive more economical cars. I used to drive small cars that always got great mileage, but with the huge vehicles on the road, I traded up to a sedan so that I would not be driven over by one of these huge vehicles. And isn't it funny that when you are driving in a blizzard, all of the vehicles in the ditch are the SUVs. "

 Scott wrote on May 6, 2008 8:22 am:
" Heather -

The people with the power to change how cars are fueled benefit from our current situation. Also, Natural Gas in the Southwest is a solution similar to Ethanol here in the Midwest. Natural Gas is cheaper there. If we used it nationwide, it would be just as expensive (or more) than gasoline. "

 Sean wrote on May 6, 2008 8:25 am:
" Yep Mary Jane....he's in denial. But, at least, he didn't have sex with that woman, didn't have to duck sniper fire and his minister doesn't believe the government created AID's. "

 Grundle wrote on May 6, 2008 8:25 am:
" Mary Jane...the Democrats have been in control of Congress for the past couple years, but have accomplished nothing. Don't you think that, maybe, a little of the blame is on them as well? "

 peb wrote on May 6, 2008 8:39 am:
" Regarding UNL Foundation and their money. Donors to the Foundation usually specify what they want their donation to be used for so the money isn't the Foundation's to spend. "

 Jeff wrote on May 6, 2008 9:40 am:
" To contribute to this debate about "are we in a recession" - here is a quote from a March edition of Bloomburg:

Harvard University economist Martin Feldstein, a member of the group that dates business cycles in the U.S., said the nation has entered a recession that could be the worst since World War II.

"I believe the U.S. economy is now in recession," Feldstein, president of the National Bureau of Economic Research, told the Futures Industry Association conference in Boca Raton, Florida. "Could this become the worst recession we have seen in the post-war period? I think the answer is yes. I would emphasize the word `could.' "

And yes - I would gladly take the guy "that did not have sex with that woman". Or the one who that there was sniper fire in Bosnia. Or the won who is upset with his radical preacher. The Bush administrations lack of ownership and accountability for mistakes that have been made is unprecedented and unacceptable. There needs to be some accountability. Unfortunately John McCain will be held accountable - even though we would likely be in better shape had he been elected 8 years ago. And the next President will be left with this legacy to try and fix. To blame the congress of the last two years - during which too much time was spent on the Iraq war, and everything they did was vetoed by Bush - is crazy. The previous 6 years of the do nothing congress is also accountable - since most of what they passed wouldn't have been blocked by Bush.
"

 Fed-Up wrote on May 6, 2008 10:00 am:
" Are we not getting tired of the "blame game". Too many of us are content to blame someone else or the other party for our country's problems. Maybe a 90-100% voter turnout in November to really guage the mood of America is what is needed. Having a real candidate with a real practical political agenda would be better than the current "feel good get me elected" promises crop of polititians. None of the candidates offer anything doable in the reality of Washington politics, and none of the candidates have the "intestinal fortitude" to stand up and get what needs to be done, done. Too worried about re-election and personal goals, to anger the american voters.
What is done is done, stop moaning and blaming, Nov 08 can change things, only if we the American people tell all, yes all, Republican and Democrat, in Washington stop the games, or you will be looking for a real job. Maybe term limits can flush the bowl of DC politics, and a new generation can rise and fix this total 70 year plus mess up. But the entrenched career polititians have no incentive to do anything outside of electioneering, and we, the American people, created this monster. "

 Nope Grindle wrote on May 6, 2008 10:11 am:
" How can you blame a democratic congress? They have been in control for only 1 year. Also, we have republicans in the senate filibustering most bills, they filibustered over 70 bills in 1 year, the most democrats did was 55 in 2 years. And we have a president who vetoes anything he doesn't like whether it is good for the economy or not. "

 Yup wrote on May 6, 2008 10:15 am:
" Mary Jane, BOTH parties assign the blame for everything on each other. I'm not sure when it started, but I'm betting either George Washington or Abraham Lincoln pointed their finger at someone even back in their day. Both parties have never worked for the good of the country. So when you say President Bush blames the democrats for the ill of the world, just read your history book and see who John F Kennedy or Bill Clinton blamed. Actually, I don't think a president is to blame anymore for our ill's. I blame the House and Senate, our local government officials, other world leaders and (yes) even ourselves. "

 Mike the Realist wrote on May 6, 2008 10:36 am:
" The problems start with us, for several reasons -- first and foremost that we continue to elect Republicans AND Democrats every 2, 4 and 6 years. Neither political party has the interests of the nation at heart, only their own narrow-minded greed for power. It's time we started electing people who have the PEOPLE'S interest in mind, not the robots the two political parties roll out every election season.

It's time we, the people, take back control of this once-great nation...before it's too late. "

 kjbclg wrote on May 6, 2008 10:52 am:
" Ok....stop with the high gas price issues! We all knew it was coming and when the media says gas prices are going to soar to $4 per gallon everyone raises the prices a few cents to make it true. Changing from a SUV to a smaller more "gas-friendly" car will not lower gas prices! Changing your driving habits will save you money regardless of the vehicle you drive. Stop blaming "huge" SUV's for your problems on the road. Isn't it funny that all the vehicles you see in the ditches are SUV's? Hmmm...I drive the roads in my "huge" SUV and have seen more cars in the ditches than any other vehicle. I get 20 mpg on the hwy! If I switch to a smaller car that gets 28mpg I might save 8 bucks and get ran over by a huge vehicle! No thanks. "

 ns wrote on May 6, 2008 11:19 am:
" Vaughn, peb is correct. Nearly all of the UNL Foundation funds are tied up in donor agreements whereby the interest earned on endowments is used only for specifically designated purposes, e.g. scholarships and fellowship, endowed chairs, special programs, named buildings, department flex funds and many others. The one billion is principal and stays put. The foundation itself has little flexibility in how the funds are distributed. "

 mitchy_v wrote on May 6, 2008 11:31 am:
" Think of everything that needs to take place for any of the alternitive fuels to get going.
1. your vechile has to be able to run on this alternive fuel. I can't afford a new car right now. Look at the age of the cars on the road right now. It will take 20 years to transition to a new fuel type.
2. Fueling stations, are there going to be places to fuel my alternitive fuel vechile when I travel. The transition period will be the worst, regular gas, E85, etc. The stations will have to carry all of the options and that isn't cheap.
3. Long term commitment. Is E85 a quick fix or a long term solution. If it is a quick fix, I will wait for something longterm. "

 Don wrote on May 6, 2008 11:33 am:
" No, Mary Jane, the dog did not eat your homework. Actually, you did not do your homework. Maybe WMD's did not exist in Iraq. All the democrats along with Bush thought they did. Besides, that is not the only reason we went to war. Despite what your so called experts say, drilling in Alaska would have an impact on world oil prices. If we got a significant amount of oil from Alaska, one would think that OPEC would notice that and lower their prices. They want the money from oil. It is most of the democrats who keep blocking the way to drill, starting with former President Bill Clinton. And now certain people want to put the needs of the polar bear before the needs of the American people. Ridiculous! "

 Maybe wrote on May 6, 2008 11:50 am:
" maybe at our new research park alternative fuels should be researched first? "

 Edited wrote on May 6, 2008 12:16 pm:
" Mary Jane Bruce would be wise not to get caught up in the partisan fighting perpetuated by this media and often times this blog. Both political parties have been ruining this country for years. Sometimes in the name of progress, other times in the name of tradition. In truth the only real progressives in America are libertarian in ideology. What continues to pass as liberalism is ideological about 160 some odd years old and is hardly new or progressive. What continues to pass as conservative is certainly practical conservatism. Until people wake up and realize they are being manipulated by partisans, we will continue to have a government that squanders the peoples money, embroils our country in foreign conflicts, and erodes the liberties of all people here and abroad. "

 JR wrote on May 6, 2008 1:02 pm:
" Are you serious Don? Do you not remember how GWB pushed the WMD theory on us saying had secret intelligence proved Saddam had these weapons. Like sheep, we all believed him as who would have ever thought that a President of the United States would ever tell a lie that would lead to so many innocent lives being lost. Ask all those families of the dead soldiers ... ask all the wounded who have come back to face months and years of therapy in paint peeling military hospitals ... ask me and many, many more like me who I would rather have as President ... some one who lied about an affair ... or someone who lied and brought us all this misery? Guess what our answer would be. And as for ANWAR ... stop listening to the blowhards on AM radio and do your research. "

 Tim wrote on May 6, 2008 1:04 pm:
" " Mary Jane...what did Al Gore do for his eight year as VP? Oh he was to busy creating the internet"
"

 To the wrote on May 6, 2008 2:23 pm:
" pro-ANWR drillers, remember the Exxon Valdez incident. The US is still paying for that and has Exxon ever paid their bill for that? "

 Jeff wrote on May 6, 2008 2:48 pm:
" Don - we are certainly a big customer of middle-eastern oil. But they aren't going to blink if we decide to drill for oil in ANWR. With the emergence of countries like China who are thirsting for all the petroleum products they can get - OPEC would have no concerns about our drilling in the ARtic, and could still manipulate prices as they wish. "

 JimDandy wrote on May 6, 2008 3:30 pm:
" Someone who thinks there are polar bears in ANWAR is chiding other people for not doing their homework? "

 Hey wrote on May 6, 2008 4:34 pm:
" Even though the Congress is controlled by the democrats, the prez still has the veto pen, which prior to the last two years - has gathered dust - don't blame the democratic controlled congress. "

 AWP wrote on May 6, 2008 8:00 pm:
" Wow, you're really smokin' Mary Jane. Maybe that's the problem. Chill out! You and Hillary can listen for the sound of the moving van pulling up to the White House to take Dubya back to Texas. And after that happens, then what will you complain about? "

 Cmon Grundle wrote on May 6, 2008 8:34 pm:
" The "democratic" congress has not been in control for two years. You talk like you are speaking facts when it is all misinformation that come out of your mouth. You are too much like our president. It he says it's true, then it must be true? That stuff is not going to wash anymore pal. "

 There will wrote on May 6, 2008 10:21 pm:
" be nothing to complain about after that moving van has moved Dubya away! It's that simple, AWP! "

 Check YOUR facts wrote on May 7, 2008 12:08 am:
" There are polar bears in ANWAR. The US Fish and Wildlife Service reports: "ANWR, particularly the 1.5 million acres of coastal plain where oil exploration is proposed, is the site of a significant number of polar bear dens (42% of bears that were tracked in Alaska and Canada between 1981 and 2000 had dens in this area). Females den from August/September to March/April. While not a true hibernation, the heart rate slows and they sleep deeply, conserving energy for cub development and nursing. Disturbance in the denning area would likely affect birth and cub survival rates." "

 tim wrote on May 7, 2008 9:05 am:
" if the economy is in a sham its due to the democratic controlled congress and house for bailing out the big greedy finance companies. they dumped a pile of money into the market causing the value of the dollar to plummet. to those insisting the president was wrong on WMD do a little homework. every democrat was spouting the same dialog while clinton was in the white house. thats a fact. "

 The Blame Game wrote on May 7, 2008 3:31 pm:
" America is a mess because of AMERICANS ---regardless of political party, race, religion, sexual orientation, class, education...
The Blame Game never ends in theis country! "

 AWP wrote on May 7, 2008 6:16 pm:
" Can't believe people are still pouting over WMDs. If there is a bomb threat at an elementary school, and the bomb squad finds that there never was a bomb, do you people criticize the bomb squad for responding to the threat? If Iraq was all about WMDs, don't you think the lying, dishonest president would have made sure we "discovered" some planted WMDs just to save face? No, that didn't happen. But, I could see a former president doing something like that. Iraq is about the Big Picture. The Muslims in the Middle East have been killing each other for centuries. But, when they brought their destruction onto our soil, something had to be done. Gaining a foothold in the Middle East (in Iraq) will pay dividends in the future. This situation will not be solved overnight, and perhaps it never will. But, if it can at least be stabilized, that will go a long way toward keeping us safe here. Those of you that hate Bush may never live long enough to appreciate his willingness to stay the course. Hopefully, your children and grandchildren will benefit from our efforts in this war. In the meantime, you can continue to rant and hate like spoiled children. "

 Newt Gingrich wrote on May 9, 2008 11:25 pm:
" Yeah great Democrat control of the senate 49-49 and 2 independants. The one thing Grindle is right about is there really isn't much majority and that we need to elect a lot more Democrats to the Senate to clean up as much of the Bush damage as possible. By the way, when can we sue the Republican Congress for completely trashing their mytholocical "Contract with America?" "

 Jon wrote on May 12, 2008 9:47 am:
" Let's remember " TO LITTLE TO LATE " GWB didn't want the inspectors to go back in and look. He wouldn't get his war if they did. It's hard to believe there are people so wrapped up in politics that they will still defend Bush. " TO LITTLE TO LATE" It's to late for
4000 Plus American troops. This war was totally a personal issue for GWB, and he should be held accountable. The blood is on his hands! "

 Jon wrote on May 12, 2008 2:16 pm:
" Our grandchildren and great grandchildren and great great grandchildren will pay dearly for GWB. It's to bad. "

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