VIEWpoint Letters to the Editor

Uneven sidewalk info is incorrect
This letter is in regard to an article in the May 29, INDEX “DDA member concerned about uneven sidewalk”
Mr. Kiess said he was concerned about the step in front of Ron’s TV, and I agree he should be concerned. Colleen Hackney said “the step has gone from an inch to two inches in front of the store.” I don’t know where she got her information from, but that’s not correct.
I worked in that building for 11 years when it was Lee’s TV, and not once did I have to go up or down any kind of step to take our carts in or out to help customers bring in or take out their TVs. It used to be handicap friendly and now it’s not. Why?
Some of our customer had the little carts they would drive in and out to see us with no problem, now they can’t drive them in if they need service. The only bump we had to deal with was a little one with the molding at the bottom of the door. — Susan T.

Iraq war is not constitutional
I fear many have forgotten that we live in a Constitutional Republic. The founders of our nation set forth the U.S. Constitution, and the states ratified it along with the Bill of Rights, as the supreme law of the land, not only to govern, but also to form, to “constitute” this nation.
I wonder, how many of us have read the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights? I recently started reading it, and it is tough reading at times, but it’s important reading.
One thing you’ll find, in Article I, Section 8, is that, “The Congress shall have power ... to declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;”
Now, I’ll admit, I don’t know whether or not we should be in Iraq. I don’t have access to the classified information needed to make that decision, as do our Congressmen. But I do know that Congress has not passed a “Declaration of War” since WWII. Instead, they have “authorized the use of force,” and other such nonsense not found in the constitution.
This means that Korea, Vietnam, the first Gulf War, this war in Iraq, and the entire war on terror have all been executed unconstitutionally. I’m not saying we shouldn’t have fought (or be fighting) these battles, I’m saying if we’re going to do it, let’s do it right!
If we must fight a war in Iraq, Congress must first pass a Declaration of War!
This is more than a technicality of wording. It is our duty as Americans to demand that the constitution be obeyed in every detail! If we do not vigilantly defend our constitution it will be eroded away, piece by piece!
Why have the “big box” presidential candidates not mentioned the lack of a declaration of war when talking about Iraq? Can they be so ignorant of the very constitution they must “uphold and protect”? Or do they not care about the constitution and it’s requirements?
Either way, they’re a disgrace! That’s why I’ll be voting for Chuck Baldwin, the presidential candidate from the Constitution Party. He pledges to safely withdraw our troops from the unconstitutional war in Iraq, and never to send them to war without a Congressional Declaration of War. — Brian M. Stephens, Davison

Car-train crash reality
On May 24 at 3:58 p.m. a phone call was received. “This is Hurley Trauma Center. Your son has been involved in an automobile accident.”
At this point every emotion, every thought of him growing up ran through my mind. Tears welled up and with great emotional distress. Is he all right? What happened? My heart skipped a beat, then I said I would be right there. This is one of life’s most difficult experiences. A child you have raised. A child who at 9-years-old stated. “Dad you are my father, but you know something? You are my best friend. I love you Dad.”
Ditto son I love you.
On the drive to Hurley Trauma Center, thoughts of what happened. Was he going to be alive? Upon my arrival I had found two of Davison’s sons in the trauma center. Good people were saving their lives. They both sustained severe injuries. And in the next moments, I would experience dedicated people. People that did save their lives.
I have seen the result of the crash. I visit the scene and have my opinion of the crash. But that I will not share. As what follows is very important.
I have lived in Davison and watched these and many other children grow to become adults. I have seen joy and sorrow in their lives. My home has been open to many. I love every one of them.
Today I am grateful to Hurley Medical Center and all the workers. They kept both my boys alive. I am grateful to the neighbors I have. I am grateful to the friends I have in this community. All their efforts have helped us get through this time. I am grateful to my family, a very special family. We hear in the news many stories and at times I wonder what happens. Is there a positive end ... This was a most difficult week.
Currently on this day June 1, 2008, both boys, both young men are in stable condition. Their bodies will recover in time. I have experienced “Love Thy Neighbor.” Thank you to all. To all who helped from the time of the accident to now. — Timothy P. Boan, Davison

Davison has local soccer club
After attending the annual Davison H.S. Soccer banquet on Friday night, I must admit that it was more than a little disturbing to listen to our varsity coach promote tryout information for a club not in our local area, when we have a successful club in Davison with licensed volunteer coaches.
That would be the MESA, travel club, you know, the one that is listed as a sponsor outside the H.S. field. Are there other travel clubs listed as sponsors? MESA would be the same club that nine of our freshman girls on the JV team played on a team for last fall. The same club that over 50 to 65 percent of the rostered players for the H.S. program come from.
It is sad to say that travel soccer and high school soccer in our area aren’t in better sync with one another. I keep hearing from parents and players alike that they need to mesh together and have some kind of a program that could keep them together. We already have that, and again it is called MESA travel club. We have U-10 through U-19 girls teams at every age in between.
The school program keeps getting put down for not having a collective off-season program, and they aren’t the ones responsible. It’s up to the Davison parents to make that happen. The opportunities are there. So parents and players can go outside of our area and play for coaches who are paid to coach or stay local and play for volunteer coaches who also carry a coaching license, but are in it because their hearts are in it for the better of the kids, the game and the community, not to fatten their wallets.
There have been offers made to numerous coaches in our club to take their teams to these people and be paid to coach the same team elsewhere, but we are all still here.
I’m not saying that there shouldn’t be exceptions and the girls that exhibit that kind of talent are given the advice to pursue ODP and State Cup type of opportunities. — Roy Livingston, local U-17 girls volunteer