Friday, October 2, 2009

OPEN FORUM: October 2009

New month, new open forum for Times readers.

Here is your chance to say something, report breaking news or ask a question -- on any issue.

Any topic is fair game, although the Times' comment policy still applies. (Please see the bottom of the left-hand column.)

The Times' Web site averages more than 250 page views a day, according to an independent tracking service. That means the Times is the perfect forum to air your thoughts, news tips, announcements, complaints and concerns.

So go ahead and sound off. We are listening.

48 comments:

  1. i discovered something today when i relieved myself facing the wind ............................... eventually it all comes back to you ..............................................

    ReplyDelete
  2. Just wanted to say thank you to the Dorchester Fire Department for the wonderful food and such during the open house. It was nice to meet some of you and to be able to sit as a community to watch the Huskers kick some butt.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good effort by the DHS Longhorns tonight. The boys are hard workers, they just need a little more in the way of numbers. Why don't more kids go out for sports? Are parents lacking the ability to encourage and support their kids these days? I hope the boys that are out for football keep working hard to get better. They have lots of potential and the coaches really care.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Why go out for sports when you can leave school at 3:30 and do "whatever" you want. I am not sure up-downs, sprints, concentrating on plays, tackling, blocking can compete with "whatever" for many kids. It's the "whatever"!
    HELP!

    ReplyDelete
  5. In regards to Longhorn sports it all starts with the parents at home.Both parents need to be there for their kids!SUPPORT THEM IN A POSITIVE!When you parents are in the stands at Football,Basketball,Volleyball,make some noise.Most parents carrying on GOSSIP conversations and when someone cheers too loud or shows a little "LONGHORN PRIDE" they look at them at a funny way.
    Get of your butts and clap those hands.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I agree with out of towner. How can the players on the field stayed pumped up if the people in the stands don't help them. Go to a Crete game sometime the people in the stands do chants and are cheering all the time. Where is the lornhorn spirit?

    ReplyDelete
  7. clapping and cheering is ok, but many times it goes beyond that.

    Just look at the Oklahoma volleyball game. Some people think they can get away with anything and it will be ok.

    Many times the parents are the ones doing the negative cheering.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I do feel bad there aren't more kids out for sports at Dorchester, however, sports are not for everyone. Some kids are involved in other extra-curricular events besides sports. Some students may need to work. Just because kids don't do sports does not mean they're lazy (in some instances - yes) but not always. Also, just because our kids do not go out for sports does not mean we are not supportive or lack the ability to encourage them. It just may not be their thing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I was in Lincoln last weekend and noticed one neighborhood awarded area homes with "Best Lawn" and "Best Landscaping" and "Best Kept Home" signs in their yards.

    Could Dorchester initiate similar awards?

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm coming to Dorchester NE October 15-19. Any suggestions on what I should see? Any thoughts appreciated. Thank you. David, Long Beach, CA

    ReplyDelete
  11. Can someone tell me when the museum is open to the public, day and time? Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. To those above who have made comments about why there are not more kids out for sports. I think that the way some of the " non-star" players are treated by the "star" players should be addressed by the coaches. The star players are making fun of those who don't play all the time when they do get the chance to play or even at practice. When you are made fun of for not being the best player, why would you want to go out for sports if that is the way you will be treated. If you are not given the opportunity to play and learn on the field or on the court how are you supposed become a better player. I think that the coaches should also be teaching the players teamwork, respect, along with all that goes along with the sport

    ReplyDelete
  13. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced Friday it has awarded nearly $399,000 to four Nebraska nonprofits to support business development and entrepreneurship.

    One of those is grant for $92,000 for Nebraska Venture Capital Forum to conduct new venture competitions in York, Red Willow, Nemaha and Saline counties.

    In these competitions, entrepreneurs submit business plans to a panel of judges. The winner receives a $25,000 cash investment and $10,000 worth of professional services, if the business locates in the respective economic regions. The project is expected to create 12-24 jobs.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This recommendation is for the Dorchester grad that left 60 years ago, but is still interested in the welfare of the town and remembers the “good old days.” I suggest reading Ted Sorensen’s book, “Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History.” He writes glowingly of Nebraska in the 1940’s and 1950’s and adds that he was fortunate to have been born in state. He goes on to say: “Nebraska has always been a proud state. Nebraskans have long resented those Easterners who, unaware of its charms, dismiss Nebraska as a boring fly-over-state. After I moved East, I soon wearied of hearing what a long, flat, unchanging drive it was from the eastern to the western borders. That’s all right; Easterners will learn.”

    ReplyDelete
  15. dave, visit the musuem, the new snack shack, and the new school. there are 2 new owners of the bars in town, are both good places to eat.

    ReplyDelete
  16. NEWS FLASH...The Obama Administration, criticized for holding illegal immigrants in overcrowded and poorly run jails, on Tuesday announced plans to convert hotels to detain some noncriminal immigrants.

    Does anyone want to invest in a Crete motel and make some government contract money????

    ReplyDelete
  17. Interesting! I just heard on the radio that an Omaha business is being sued for discriminating against Hispanic workers because they were asked to speak English in the workplace. As a business owner in this area, I have an idea to insure this won't happen to me: I don't hire Hispanics. I recommend others do the same. The feds can't prove a negative. But it only takes one greedy trial lawyer to file an frivilous lawsuit to ruin your reputation and business.

    ReplyDelete
  18. The Sorensen book is a great recommendation. Ted Sorensen warned Nebraskans in the early 1960's that without proper funding for public schools, the state could ultimately become old and outmoded, a place to come from or a place to die.

    Has anything changed since that time??

    ReplyDelete
  19. Not a popular comment, I'm sure, but I must make it anyway. I really think there is an over reaction to illegal immigrants.

    There are, by official estimates, 12 million illegals in the USA. Most of them work, pay taxes and ultimately contribute to society. Impossible to deport them all.

    So, what to do?

    I'd like to see the Police and Courts be able to check immigration status IF someone has been convicted of a crime, any crime, and then deport them after they serve their jail time.

    By the way, Taxpayers pay for the transportation back to an illegal's country. (Hmmmm, 12 million times the of price air fare to Mexico, Jamaica or wherever...sounds expensive....) Be careful when you say "we should deport them all."

    Personally, I'm proud that we live in a country where everyone wants to come and live. Think about that.

    And, please think about this; if the economic situation was reversed, the USA was poor and Mexico was rich, those of us who could not find a job or feed our families would be heading to where we could, legally or illegally. I'd be in the middle of Rio Grande River right now swimming South, believe me. It's just human nature.

    I do believe that the over reaction and anger really clouds logical thinking on this problem.

    Just my thoughts. Thank you.

    David, A Legal Czech.

    ReplyDelete
  20. David, sit down and let me explain to you a simple fact of life. We live in a nation of laws and a world defined by zero-sum. Illegal immigration is much like cutting a cake because taking a larger piece reduces the amount of cake available for others.

    Do you have kids, David? Do they attend school in Crete, like mine do? Is it fair to me or my kids that I pay far more in property taxes, federal and state income taxes (most illegals earn too little), and reinvest in my community while illegals send 75% of their funding home and have 3-4 families in a rented house? Is it fair that my kids sit in a classroom where 50% of the teacher's time is devoted to teaching Spanish speaking kids?

    We can't afford or physically accommodate 15%-20% of Mexico. We simply cannot. Sorry.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Illegals: So, again, what to do?
    Have the Police go door to door, round them up and deport them all?

    My point was, too much complaining and no viable solutions offered.

    David.

    ReplyDelete
  22. More crack down on employers!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Bob and David both make good points. David, I hope you have a safe trip to NE. It will be considerably colder than CA.

    ReplyDelete
  24. RE: "We live in a nation of laws...."

    Children of illegals born in Crete are USA citizens. That's the law. Period.

    Solution? Deport the parents and put the children up for adoption??

    What to do....

    ReplyDelete
  25. What are the museum hours? This is the 3rd time I've posted this question. We are having a family reunion and want to visit the museum next Sunday. Please, would someone let us know what the hours are?

    ReplyDelete
  26. How do Illegals pay taxes? They take jobs that legal people could have. Wait until they break the law to ship them back? What if the law they break takes the life of an innocent person? Put them in jail so more of our tax dollars go toward someone here illegally? David think about these things you wrote.

    ReplyDelete
  27. For museum information, call Judy Rada at (402) 243-2356. I am not sure about the schedule now that fall has arrived.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Museum hours were always 2-5 on Sundays for years and years.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thank you for the museum information. We are looking forward to visiting.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Happy belated 75th birthday to Shirley Kasl. My grandparents were your neighbors on the farm west of Wilber. By the way, we have tried for many years to "reform" your brother, Kenny. But alas, he remains a wild senior citizen!

    ReplyDelete
  31. The simplest way to stop illegals is to pass a law that says for every illegal caught working for a business the owner or CEO goes to prison for a year for each illegal. I would bet you that employers like Farmland and Bunge would be careful about who they hire.

    ReplyDelete
  32. The person or persons who maintain this website do a good job and deserve a "THANK YOU!"

    (MODERATOR: Don't be embarrassed. Go ahead a post it....)

    ReplyDelete
  33. For once a story about an illegal CZECH immigrant in Nebraska.

    http://journalstar.com/news/
    state-and-regional/nebraska/article_
    cff710ca-bdba-11de-8e22-
    001cc4c002e0.html

    ReplyDelete
  34. Another interesting comment from 82-year-old Ted Sorensen:

    “Yes, we lived in a conservative state (NE) but it’s become much more conservative since my father started out as an activist and in political office. Ironically, in part it’s become conservative because all of the farmers were bailed out of the Depression by New Deal farm programs that made them all happy with the subsidies they received for their crops—sometimes for not growing crops. Once they were prosperous, they decided to be Republicans for the sake of the status quo.”

    ReplyDelete
  35. Here's why we need more true conservatives running government, not a but of Democrat-lites parading as Republicans...

    This is from The Economist:

    "One group of Americans has been practically unaffected by the recession: government employees. Their hours have not been cut, their benefits are gold-plated and they are almost impossible to sack. In good times, few Americans notice these things, but in bad times, the disparity grates. Cops and firefighters can retire in their 40s and draw defined-benefit pensions for life. With overtime, one tenth of the police in Massachusetts made more than the governor’s annual salary in 2006, according to the Boston Globe. Including benefits, the average employee of New York City makes more than $100,000, according to Forbes, while some Californian prison guards “sock away $300,000 a year”.

    And what do taxpayers get for their generosity? The bad bargains get all the publicity. Union contracts force the postal service to pay thousands of unneeded workers to do nothing. In New York, public-school teachers who can’t be trusted to teach but can’t be sacked either are paid to sit and do crosswords.

    One should not overstate the rage of taxpayers against public servants. Most Americans admire firemen, teachers and cops. They like receiving government benefits, too. And roughly half of them will pay no federal income tax at all this year. The problem is that this is not sustainable. During his election campaign, Mr Obama promised not to raise taxes on anyone except the rich, but with the deficit so vast, the question is not whether he will break this promise but when."

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous October 21, 2009 5:16 PM is correct. Many federal positions (USDA) could be abolished if the Farm Program was eliminated, and the U.S. converted to a free market system. This has already been done in New Zealand. However, Farm Belt residents would have to institute a massive letter writing campaign to make their voices heard in Congress. In addition, those with deep pockets (i.e., the Farm Bureau, agri-business) would have to lobby hard for eliminating subsidies.

    ReplyDelete
  37. QUOTE:" SmallBizGuy said...
    Interesting! I just heard on the radio that an Omaha business is being sued for discriminating against Hispanic workers because they were asked to speak English in the workplace. As a business owner in this area, I have an idea to insure this won't happen to me: I don't hire Hispanics. I recommend others do the same. The feds can't prove a negative. But it only takes one greedy trial lawyer to file an frivilous lawsuit to ruin your reputation and business.

    October 12, 2009 4:36 PM"


    I too own a small business my friend BUT, I am not so loose with my tongue as you are.. Do you know how quickly the ACLU and others would pickup and make your comment a lawsuit?? I would hold those comments back buddy!! This probably won't be posted due to the buddy system this blog uses as far as "approving posts" but, that's ok, ..................

    ReplyDelete
  38. Even the the best diaper-doper baby Harvard lawyers can't prove a negative. I won't hire hispanics because of the threat of lawsuits once they're on staff and to that I issue you a challenge - bring it!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Happy birthday(10/27) to Dorchester alum, M.A.B. I hope you are enjoying the California weather.

    ReplyDelete
  40. SmallBizGuy: What "negative" are you referring to? That you did NOT hire a Hispanic? Actually, if that was the legal standard, there would not be any discrimination lawsuits. Lawyers and the government can easily prove discrimination by testing and patterns of hiring. You should understand that. Be very careful about saying "I won't hire...." Unless your Small Biz has lots of money to burn.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I still won't hire them and that will hit two birds with one stone. No lawsuits for me and they will need to travel back to Mexico without the paychecks that they send back to that third world country anyway. I challenge you to find a lawyer who will waste his time and money to sue me. I don't have enough resources for such a leech anyway. Still I welcome the challenge. I am the one providing the job. I say let them do their own hiring and risk taking.

    ReplyDelete
  42. This from the Lincoln newspaper....

    The economy appears to be pinching the work flow for almost 1,000 employees assigned to Lincoln's regional Immigration and Citizenship Services Center.

    In a July update, analysts at the Pew Hispanic Center said census data showed the inflow of immigrants into the United States from Mexico was lower between March 2008 and March 2009 "than at any point during the decade." Those same analysts cited information gathered by Mexico's National Survey of Employment and Occupation as indication that border crossings had fallen to 636,000 a year from more than 1 million in two years.
    For Nebraska, census analysis at the University of Nebraska at Omaha shows the annual rate of increase in the state's Hispanic population has been slowing in the second half of the decade.
    The U.S. Border Patrol reported 724,000 apprehensions in fiscal 2008. The Pew analysis said that was the lowest total since 1973. Meanwhile, the regional office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said its deportation numbers for the year that ended Sept. 30 were at 6,317, up from 5,309 the previous year.
    The region includes Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas.

    ReplyDelete
  43. SmallBizGuy: What you're saying is that you discriminate so that you could never be accused of discrimination.

    Halleluja: I doubt that you'll see the employees of Bunge and Farmland going home any time soon. Nor will you see the businesses that cater to them close any time soon. Roots have been established and they will continue to grow, I think.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Just keep them out of Wilber.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I hate to hear things like "Just keep them out of Wilber." The same thing was said to my Okie grandparents when they moved to Wilber in 1938. They relocated because my grandfather landed a job with the WPA. My grandmother's Southern hospitality was countered by Czech women who refused to speak English in her presence. That's OK. It all evened out when my father married a Czech (my mother). At the age of 71, she still rolls her rrr's!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Vitame Vas. Does that mean we welcom you? I forgot....

    ReplyDelete
  47. I agree with David. Big business has the politicans bought off with campaign contributions. Therefore, immigration laws and enforcement will favor the corporations.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Sorry, i meat to say "just keep them out of Wilberrrrrr. ;0

    ReplyDelete

Village Dweller checks all reader comments to determine if they are appropriate for print.