The Public Pulse, Jan. 25

A good start on Whiteclay

I was gratified to read a Jan. 15 editorial, “A sensible path forward,” and a Jan. 17 news story, “Effort afoot to rehab Whiteclay.”

Nebraska is finally coming to grips with Whiteclay, our “skid row of the Plains.” Both pieces recognize that the basic problem is alcoholism on the Pine Ridge Reservation and applaud the fact that Nebraska authorities have finally begun to address the problem.

The editorial lauds the fact that the Liquor Control Commission, the Legislature and Attorney General Jon Bruning's office are moving toward “pragmatic action.”

Although the editorial mentioned the importance of “nonprofits and private donors,” it didn't mention the pioneering and continuing efforts of Nebraskans for Peace, our statewide nonprofit, peace and justice or- ganization. Nebraskans for Peace raised the issue in 1999 and invested substantial human and financial resources during the past decade.

What's particularly troubling to me is the thrust of the recent solutions. I have lived on a reservation and been to Whiteclay. I know the pathology and despair.

I'm encouraged that we're finally wrestling with the problem. But these latest initiatives might serve more to assuage white guilt than to address the core problems. Let's keep working together toward a real solution.

John Krejci, Lincoln

No need to consolidate counties

I'm trying to wrap my head around Legislative Bill 826, which would reduce the number of counties in Nebraska by approximately one-third, with the notion that consolidation of them would actually help cut costs and increase efficiency.

I don't think it's possible. Consider the following:

— It would take longer to take care of business due to the increased distance for travel.

— Online services are already in place and will continue to help with efficiency.

— Fewer employees means less services across the state.

— Less face-to-face interaction with people is a concern.

— State population is not drastically being reduced. It is fairly stagnant in some places and growing slightly in others. That, along with cost-of-living increases, would dictate that the status quo be maintained.

Ultimately, I believe LB 826 would be more costly to Nebraska residents and state and county employees, plus the state economy overall.

Kent Chambers, Wilsonville, Neb.

Please pay attention to the law

A Jan. 19 news story referred to the Nebraska Supreme Court's ruling that strip annexation under Nebraska State Statute 16-117 is illegal. But from local levels to the Governor's Office, no one seems to care.

For more than two years, this has been going on south of Gretna along Nebraska Highway 31. But bringing it to anyone's attention results in nothing being done.

Should not these officials be held accountable? Should not state law apply equally to everyone?

Rodney Lynam, Gretna

Death-penalty cost does matter

In addition to the cost of the death penalty, are there any other state expenses that are paid for by Nebraska taxpayers with no figures available (Jan. 21 news story)? It doesn't seem right that taxpayers are denied transparency when their money is involved.

State Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh of Omaha says a study of the death penalty's costs “won't matter.” How does he know? Perhaps it would matter if Nebraskans knew, in this tight economy, how much of their hard-earned money goes to something totally unnecessary.

Marylyn Felion, Omaha

Shouldn't force belief on others

As an American and Iowan, I am dis- mayed by Iowa House Rep. Dawn Petten- gill's proposal that lawmakers be forced to state “so help me God” when taking the oath of office.

All Iowa lawmakers have the freedom to add the aforementioned phrase to their oath if they wish. This option is guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. However, this basic freedom apparently offends Pettengill.

Further, Article VI, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution absolutely protects lawmakers of every state from such a religious test.

I'm sure Rep. Pettengill believes that using her seat of power to coerce other lawmakers to swear an oath to her god displays piety, conviction and strength. It does not. It displays contempt for her peers, indecency in the exercise of power and weakness in the veracity of her own beliefs.

Individuals confident in the power and truth of their beliefs do not seek to use the power of government to compel others to acquiesce. The power and truth of the beliefs themselves should be enough.

Bryan Crowdy, Council Bluffs

Trolley can't be our top issue

Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle is talking about having a trolley system again. Maybe he has better issues to deal with — such as the many streets we have that need to be replaced or repaired or how we are going to finance the police and fire pension funds.

We don't need any more ideas about how to spend more money. We need someone to figure out how to pay for what we already have or really need.

Bud Armstrong, Omaha

Omaha is getting big-city woes

Omaha has elected Democratic mayors in the past three elections.

The Police Department does not have enough cruisers. The mayor rewards unions who helped him win election. Plus, the current mayor hires staff that cost more than the staffs of the past Democratic mayor.

I am afraid this city will turn into another Detroit or Philadelphia.

Richard J. Cunningham, Omaha

Might be better to step aside

As U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson looks around, he'll soon realize he's on an island.

Not only has he disaffected conservatives and moderates with his disreputable legislative tactics, but he's also alienated the left by igniting the implosion that occurred in Massachusetts, thus marginalizing the president's agenda.

As President Barack Obama distances himself from the irresponsible Senate health care reform bill, he will undoubtedly throw its closest supporters under the bus. Sen. Nelson could soon become the ineffectual standard bearer for our state.

Sen. Nelson should do the honorable thing and resign, so we can fill his position with a leader who can create positive outcomes for our state.

Bill Partyka, Omaha

Start all over on health reform

I'm not at all sure this Democratic administration and Democratic Congress should be allowed to be involved in health care reform or any other legislation.

They have totally failed to listen to the people or include us in discussion of anything pending or introduced in Congress, and therefore have given up any right to be included in any legislation.

They are incompetent and do not deserve any opportunity to be in charge of any legislation. I believe all work in Congress and with the administration should be suspended until after the November midterm elections.

We have gone a year without any real leadership. What we need is a caretaker government until after the fall elections, when new members of Congress will be installed. We could start over with something that the people are involved in, as it should be.

James Hartmann, Seward, Neb.

Catholic ties to immigration

Without waiting for the Obama administration to turn its full attention to the legalization of millions of illegal aliens now in this country, pro-legalization groups staged an amnesty-promoting rally locally (Jan. 15 news story.)

Although most Americans are opposed to illegal immigration, these interests hope that an early amnesty initiative would make a difference in the next federal effort to enact so-called immigration reform.

One of the primary arguments for legalization is a need for an immigrant work force for economic development. Americans should be reminded that the need for this unskilled labor is greatly exaggerated. Rather, this issue is largely a matter of narrow-minded employers wishing to exploit cheap labor.

It's significant that the amnesty rally was held on the Creighton University campus, an institution of the Catholic Church. Past news coverage indicates that if not for Latin American immigration into this country, the church would be losing numbers.

Thus, the church has an apparent incentive to attract and accommodate illegal immigrants who are Catholic.

Dale Monsell, Omaha

Continue to support clean air

Once again, we are seeing the power of fossil-fuel lobbyists attempting to get their agenda written into law. They have influenced Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska to offer a resolution that would reduce the Clean Air Act efforts.

I encourage Nebraska's senators to vote against this resolution. We have benefited from this act and continually must be vigilant against any dirty energy company's efforts to weaken it.

We need the Senate to support renewable and clean energy sources to further reduce our country's dependence on foreign oil.

David Arthur, Omaha

Grateful to have plowed roads

We don't live in Omaha but were there recently for a show at the Orpheum Theater. We saw that Omaha has a lot of snow, as we do where we live. We noticed what a great job of snow removal Omaha had done.

Omahans should appreciate the hard work to clear all of the streets. Why do they complain? They must have nothing else to do.

We really appreciate it when the crews open up our roads. Keep up the good work.

Marie Jarmin, Osceola, Neb.

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