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Letters, 7/17: Be responsible for trash

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Thursday, Jul 17, 2008 - 12:44:13 am CDT

In response to “Clean up trash in town” (letter, July 11): While I would like to imagine that this trash pileup is because of accidental or unintentional disposal, it is obvious that it is simply a matter of blatant irresponsibility and disrespect for others. 

Have we really lost that much respect for our city and its aesthetic value? Just last week while driving in my vehicle, I witnessed a person driving on North 27th Street at 5:30 p.m. unloading the contents of a fast-food sack out of the window of their vehicle. Not more than a few days later, I witnessed a person waiting at a bus stop intentionally discarding a candy bar wrapper onto the ground.

While I understand that some trash cans have been removed in city parks in efforts to tighten the budget, that does not excuse a person from properly disposing of their waste, regardless of what form it takes. Perhaps if the littering law was enforced and fines were given, the city could recover some if its budget shortfall.

Litter bugs, if you do not think that your actions affect Lincoln’s economy and reputation, just check out some of the blogs available on the Nebraska Game and Parks Web site, specifically those concerning lakes and trash dumps. The comments about Lincoln’s litter problem attest to its ongoing problem even prior to the thinning of trash cans in city parks.

For those of us who still believe that Lincoln holds an aesthetic value far greater than that of any convention center or new shopping mall, it’s time to step up and start reporting these litter bugs and demand that the city enforce efforts to clean up its act.

Susan Horton, Lincoln

Applaud patriotic efforts

Thank you for printing the full text of the Declaration of Independence in the July Fourth paper. It is seldom that one hears or reads more than the stirring opening phrases of the Declaration or the closing lines in which the signers pledge their lives, fortunes and sacred honor.

We should also applaud the defining thoughts of Jay E. Schmidt (letter, July 4) in which he lists the characteristics of true patriotism.

In my years as a World War II infantry veteran I have been turned off by the flag-waving, tub-thumping, super patriots who hold forth on national holiday occasions. I suspect most of them never experienced bullets, gun fire or bombs.

When I am called to speak to students or the public on such occasions, I try to share the late Sydney Harris’ philosophy on patriotism. As a syndicated columnist with the Atlanta Constitution, Harris framed his thoughts on patriotism something like this:

We all too often confuse patriotism with nationalism. The Nationalist believes his country is always right, can do no wrong and he will blindly support its every action. Whereas the Patriot, while loving his country, strives for what is best for his country, and pursues that goal even if it is unpopular at the time.

Stanley J. Lambert, Ewing

Bush actions destructive

Shame on George Bush! First he lies about weapons of mass destruction to attack Iraq for its oil. Now he tells Israel it has free rein to attack Iran, according to a senior Pentagon official quoted by the British Sunday Times. Just so he can expand his dirty war.

The American people do not want this war! Fact is, his greed for Iran’s oil is so high he’s encouraging Israel to attack! This is suicide for Israel.

Dave Kruse, Lincoln

More deserve honor label

The concerns Gordon Winters expresses in his blog on the Lincoln Public Schools honor roll prompt us to consider the criteria we should use when honoring students. Is it performance relative to peers, to students nationwide, or to curriculum objectives?  Perhaps a little of each.

LPS honors students in the top 3 percent of their class, those who perform well relative to their peers, the best of the best. But, there is room to recognize more than one level of achievement.

LPS also honors National Merit Scholars, students who perform well nationally. In 2005, Southwest had nine National Merit semifinalists.

Our elementary students are performing well nationally, too.  Last year on the Metropolitan Achievement Test, 90 percent of LPS third-graders scored above the 50th percentile in math. So yes, almost all were "above average."

More and more we recognize that the goal of education is not to do a better job of sorting students into top and bottom tiers, but to help more and more students meet and exceed high standards.

One qualification for honor roll is a 3.5 grade-point average. A districtwide curriculum and criterion-referenced tests have made grades more rigorous and consistent. Students have responded to higher expectations and more students are meeting the standards.

How discouraging to suggest that more students meeting higher standards is a reason to stop honoring them. Just my personal opinion, but I think that when almost half of the students meet and exceed high standards, the word "honor" applies. Congratulations to the students and teachers at Southwest.

Lanny Boswell, Lincoln


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Abe Lincoln wrote on July 17, 2008 1:21 am:
" The letter containing "the Patriot, while loving his country, strives for what is best for his country" and the letter starting with "Shame on George Bush!" are seamless in their points. Throwing out George and his Republican pals are what is best for this country. "

 Cole wrote on July 17, 2008 2:04 am:
" Well said, Lanny. When the valedictorian is sometimes chosen by hundredths of a point, the whole idea is a joke. The question everyone in the city should be asking is - What do we have to do to get low-income students to succeed? Here we have Southwest and Northstar - exactly the same facilities, good leadership, strong teachers. The difference? Socioeconomic status of the general student population. Scores typically drop right along with average income. Not always the case, but certainly often the case. When the paper publishes 'honor roll' data from each of the high schools, instead of patting Southwest on the back and shaking our fingers at the others, we should be asking them why EVERYONE wasn't on the honor roll. No child left behind, right? "

 Lafferman wrote on July 17, 2008 6:43 am:
" Yes lincoln is getting really bad about littering. i think the fines for littering should get really expensive. everyday i see people throwing there cig butts out the window i want to go pick them up and throw them back in there car. i witnessed one lady empty her whole ash tray she sat there and threw like 20 butts in the street at a stop light. people have no respect for our planet our society has become to much about me me me and i don't care about anything else. no one wants to be inconvienanced by anything. maybe if we made the fine for littering 500 dollars per item people might think twice before they throw a fast food bag or cig butt and if the cops knew it was that good of money they might pass out the ticket. very nice letter i hope things get better. "

 stan wrote on July 17, 2008 6:55 am:
" Iran has repeatedly threatened the very existence of Israel...but they have no right to defend themselves? There have been numerous diplomatic relations with Iran, yet they refuse to halt their nuclear program. If you would take a serious look at the situation, you would see that just about everything possible has been done to prevent war there...but Iran doesn't want to play ball. "

 Big Chief wrote on July 17, 2008 7:49 am:
" To Dave Kruse: Can you explain what the 550 Metric tons of Yellow Cake Uranium found in Iraq by our troops in 2003 was for? The disposal of this huge quantity was mentioned in an article published in the LJS July 6th.

Bush did this country a disservice by not holding the news medias feet to the fire for twisting the truth in their reporting. Our 4th Estate is out of control and has been for decades. "

 Zoomie wrote on July 17, 2008 7:58 am:
" Stan - defend themselves against what? Iran and Israel have no common border, so Iran has no way for ground forces to attack Israel. Iran has only a very small coastal defense force (while Israel has at least four subs, curtesy of the German gov't). Iran's Air Force is 30-40 years old, the parts that can still fly (ie. F-4's from the US in the early 70s), while Israel has hundreds of top-of-the-line fighters and fighter-bombers. Iran has MAYBE 20 mid-range missles, which could only reach about a third of Israel (while Israel has a sophisticated ABM-system that could easily knock them down - we've come a long way since the first Gulf War). All the rest of Iran's missiles are short-range and can't reach Israel. Iran is years away from any nuclear weapons, and even then they'll be too big to use in an attack on Israel (estimates are even once Iran develops nukes, it'll be 5-10 more years until they can make them small enough to put on one of their medium-range missiles)...So what exactly is Israel defending itself from that they would need to attack Iran? Sadly, the Bushies have been trying to hype the danger from Iran (much like we later learned they had done with Iraq). Let's not be as stupid this time, take all their warnings with a BIG grain of salt! "

 Mark wrote on July 17, 2008 8:22 am:
" Apparently Dave is one of many who implore selective memory when talking about WMD's in Iraq. It was well documented they had, and used them on more than one occasion during the 90's. The UN sent inspectors who verified they were indeed there. Where they got moved to, and there whereabouts today are unknown. President Bush never once said were going to Iraq to get their oil. Not once, ever!
You don't turn your back on an enemy under any condition. Iran is not a friend of the USA or Israel.
Nobody wants war Mr. Kruse, but to pretend Iran is not a threat is burying your head in the sand. I'm sure glad your not in the White House making decisions that effect all of our safety based on your biased thought process.
Your comment, "his greed" for oil is totally unfounded in any fact whatsoever. It's very easy to play with words and throw around accusations without any fact or merit. You sir are just plain wrong. "

 peb wrote on July 17, 2008 8:34 am:
" It's very discouraging when two well-dressed middle-aged women, while getting into a Lexus, put their paper drink cups under their car and drive away. What makes this additionally pathetic is the fact that a trash can was about 20 feet away. I watched this happen at a supermarket in an area of Lincoln with a reputation for being upperclass. Someone is paid money to pick up this trash--money that could be better spent on something better. "

 John wrote on July 17, 2008 8:41 am:
" Iran has threatened the very existence of Israel? Well, what have we been doing to Iran? Pot, kettle. "

 B wrote on July 17, 2008 9:01 am:
" For those who don’t know, "yellowcake" is the seed material for higher-grade nuclear enrichment. Yellowcake alone is not considered potent enough for a so-called "dirty bomb" — a conventional explosive that disperses radioactive material. Yellowcake can be enriched for use in reactors and, at higher levels, nuclear weapons using sophisticated equipment. Sophisticated equipment which Iraq did not have.

So to equate possessing yellowcake to having weapons of mass destruction is like saying a kid with a pipe, a few pieces of lead, and some sulfur has a machine gun. "

 You Can Report Trashers wrote on July 17, 2008 9:36 am:
" From cigarette butts tossed out a window to bags of fast food trash, I'll report trashers. If you live in Douglas/Lancaster County, it is easy to report someone tossing trash. Keep Nebraska Beautiful has an on-line reporting form http://www.knb.org/litterhotline.html. You can also call 877-NO LITTR (Lancaster/Douglas Counties). You have to get the vehicle license plate and you stay anonymous. You can report commercial vehicles tossing trash too. Maybe it is time LJS needs to do story to remind people there is something we can do to hold trashers accountable! "

 We did it to Cuba wrote on July 17, 2008 10:34 am:
" Israel is simply doing what we did with Cuba in the 1960's. If Cuba was testing missles and expanding their nuclear program do you think we should just sit and wait for them to develop enough uranium to complete a nuclear missle?

I think not. The best defense is a good offense, and Israeli air strikes on strategic Iranian nuclear development buildings is a good idea soon. Especially with their recent statements that they will "destroy anything", etc, etc. "

 sdm wrote on July 17, 2008 11:02 am:
" I too get sick of looking at the trash and cigarette buts around town. I work at the state office building and go outside to walk in the park area on the east side. I can’t believe all of the butt’s people leave or put in the tree planter boxes. I know that someone is paid to go around a pick them up from time to time; it’s a waste of money that could be put into improving the aging park. Sometimes I wish they would put up a large Plexiglas container in the center of the park and start filling it with all the stuff they pick up just so people can see just how trashy they are.

I hate going to Nebraska football games and looking at the mounds of trash people leave behind in the stands, it’s really gross. I thought people had more manners; it just goes to show how lazy our society is when people can’t carry a plastic cup or bottle 50 yards with them on their way out the door and put it in the trash can.

I’ve been fishing before at lakes and when you go to clean the fish to take home, cut the stomach open sometime and see what’s in it. I’ve seen them full of cigarette butts and small plastic objects. These are things they can’t pass digestively so once they get the gut so full it can’t hold food, they die of starvation. Also do you really want to eat something that’s had a diet of trash? But I guess to most people lakes are just for boating and jet skiing, and dumping your beer cans/bottles in not for wildlife. "

 at the dq wrote on July 17, 2008 11:09 am:
" Was the litter but in a green ford escalade w/ dealer plates at the DQ on N 27th? I saw a lady there last night drop her trash on the lawn by the drivethru speaker as she ordered. I was going to pick it up and give back to her, but she was gone to fast. "

 Fact check for the Chief wrote on July 17, 2008 11:19 am:
" Mr Big Cheif. please check your facts.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/09/iraq/main562312.shtml
or http://uspolitics.about.com/od/wariniraq/a/niger.htm or just google iraq and yellow cake.

Rushoreilyhanity should not be used as your information source. This yellow cake is a myth based on false infomation. And it has been disproved since 2003. "

 JT wrote on July 17, 2008 11:28 am:
" If I'm not mistaken ash trays have been removed from everywhere and I think you can get a ticket for having one in sight. Maybe bring them back...might help. "

 Selective reading wrote on July 17, 2008 12:25 pm:
" The 550 metric tonnes of yellow cake were not "found by our troops" in 2003. They were found at the Tuwaitha research facility in 1991 at the end of Gulf War I and were sealed by the IAEA in 1992 along with 1.8 tonnes of low enriched uranium. All weapons grade uranium was removed from Iraq. FYI, it was for use in Iraq's nuclear weapons program which, according to the Iraq Survey Group, ended after the 1991 Gulf War and was never restarted. "

 Dano wrote on July 17, 2008 12:49 pm:
" Thank you on the trash commentary. Be responsible for a change people. I am tired of picking up after you all the time.

Heck, even try recycling for a change. It is not that hard to do. "

 Oracle wrote on July 17, 2008 12:51 pm:
" The yellowcake story was reported by ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=5316183). The biggest problem with the 4th estate is that they too easily accepted the lies promulgated by the Bush administration to get us into a stupid war that is bankrupting us. Sure, the world is a dangerous place, but I wish you chicken-little types would relinquish the belief that any threat, no matter how small, must be met with massive retaliation. "

 John John John wrote on July 17, 2008 2:24 pm:
" Where has anyone in the admin said we were going to wipe Iran off the map? It hasn't happened. Iran started this whole thing back in 1979, and they've been antagonizers since. "

 Lindsay wrote on July 17, 2008 2:29 pm:
" "Sometimes I wish they would put up a large Plexiglas container in the center of the park and start filling it with all the stuff they pick up just so people can see just how trashy they are."

Actually, that is a brilliant idea. Sometimes you need to jar people into understanding. I know it wouldn't work on some people, but even if you can get a few less people littering would help enormously. "

 update Mark wrote on July 17, 2008 2:33 pm:
" The good ol USA gave those weapons to Iraq when we were feeling unfriendly toward Iran. To young to remember, look it up. Lastly, Saddam used those weapons in the 90s and no republicans lost any sleep about it then so why get twisted now? "

 Yellow Cake for Big Chief wrote on July 17, 2008 4:26 pm:
" The Yellow cake found in '03 was raw stuff that was documented by the US and the UN. We knew right where it was, as it was stored legally under international law. It was what was left from around 1981 when Israeli bombs pretty much trashed Hussein's nuclear ambitions. This yellow cake was verified not to be weapons grade and was definitely not even close to being a weapon of mass destruction. This was widely and accurately reported by the mainstream media as not being any surprise, which is probably why the knee jerk Neo-Cons thought this was an incredible weapons of mass destruction discovery. They totally missed the real news by getting it from AM radio or the Republican News Network. "

 Thanks litterbug reporter wrote on July 17, 2008 5:15 pm:
" This is AWESOME! I see people pitch butts, cups, fast food detritus, and even soiled diapers (double UGH!) out the windows of their cars. I LOVE having something I can do about it. Litterbugs, beware. I'm passing this on to everyone I know. "

 Stinko wrote on July 17, 2008 5:42 pm:
" People can have ash trays in their cars! They don't need to hang their arms out the window and tap their ashes out and toss their cigs out onto the street. I also get tired of seeing dirty diapers tossed on the side of the road between Crete and Lincoln. I shouldn't have to also put up with looking at your baby's dirty diaper every day! Worse - diapers are a landfill nightmare anyway - we don't need them flung onto the side of the road. DISGUSTING! "

 hh wrote on July 17, 2008 5:54 pm:
" I can pay for my trash pick-up or electricity but not both. Guess which one is going to hit the street? "

 I agree wrote on July 17, 2008 9:45 pm:
" With Abe Lincoln. I am a veteran with two wars vietnam and desert storm. I consider myself a patriot. Many who follow and believe GW And Dick would call me something else. I have seen the destruction of war and it still turns my stomach. I may be wrong but I think there are only two people in the senate who have seen combat and thats sen. webb and sen. hagel. Maybe the people of lincoln and nebraska should listen to true patriots like them instead of the liars and cowards who lead the nation. I honestly believe in the letters from stanley lambert and dave kruse. The people in the white house are not patriots they are takers, and have taken the lives of over 4000 americans to satisfy their greed. "

 Scott wrote on July 18, 2008 7:35 am:
" Right. No child left behind. All this does is focuses everyone attention on the children who aren't doing well (some by pure stubborness and lack of self restraint) and leaves those who are sucessful to deal with themselves. Every child has the right to be challenged, not just those who put up a fight. Let's ditch the No Child Left Behind BS and go back to paying attention to all the students. "

 cit wrote on July 18, 2008 8:39 am:
" hh - guess that's why there are fines for people who decide to make the rest of us pay for their trash pick-up. Will be more than happy to turn in anyone who thinks my taxes should support your trashy habits. I wonder just how high the fines are for tossing trash? And, if it gets higher with each offense (I hope so!) "

 Hamon Righ wrote on July 18, 2008 9:25 am:
" I'm happy to see that we can report trashers. I honestly question how much can be done once you call it in though without proof?
My girlfriend and I were walking to our car in a parking lot and saw a bag come flying out the window of a car just as it was puling out of its stall. So, I yelled my displeasure at the car. The woman in the car tried to deny it. There was an entire pile just outside of where the car was parked.
Sometimes I think nature should start over with a different species. "

 cit wrote on July 18, 2008 12:24 pm:
" Yes, Journal Star....can you find out what happens if and when we report people that toss trash? How much proof do you need? How much are the fines? I'm ready to see people held accountible. Maybe if there would be more publicity about the fact that people can report garbage dumpers, fewer people would do it - or at least think twice. "

 Colby wrote on July 18, 2008 7:48 pm:
" There are blogs on the NGPC website? I thought since Val Didrichsons' blog went away, that was it. They used to have message boards, but they've archived those an only answer the occasional question in the FAQs, but no sign of any blogs. Anyone care to point me to these blogs that Susan Horton is referring to? "

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