“U” Turns:
This is an idea that might help our politicians get back to some level of civility and cooperation. Call this “State Level Politics 101.” This concept would involve talking across the aisle, getting some meaningful facts, more discussion, and taking action. This little task does not require “Super PAC” moneys, filibustering, or selling out to some extreme third party. This exercise; remove unnecessary “No U Turn” signs on our major Wisconsin highways.
Here is the scenario. How many times, while cruising down the four-lane, you didn’t listen to your GPS and missed a turn-off? Sure enough, just passed the missed turn-off, there is a crossover but it is signed with “No U Turn.” Unfortunately your next opportunity to correct the navigation error is five to ten miles down the road.
You have two options, make an illegal turn (with your kids watching in the back seat) or burn off some very expensive fuel and make a risky, but legal, U-turn at the next intersection. I don’t recall a “No U Turn” situation that was not wide open with miles of visibility in both directions. Surely these locations are not just parking lots for state patrol cars. How does this happen in Wisconsin?
Other states know! Iowa knows, Minnesota knows, Indiana knows and even Illinois knows. Their highway crossovers are marked with a sign that says, “Yield.”
Forget the “fiscal cliff;” I think our politicians have already gone over a “credibility cliff.” This is no time for brinksmanship! As for my driving I plan to be very alert and not miss my turn off.
Rich Prange-a driver/a voter
Merrill
A Father’s Love:
This is the follow-up to the story of Dustin Hinz. As you may remember, Dustin was in a car accident on Oct. 6, 2005. Dustin was air lifted to Marshfield, where he remained, till the beginning of November. He was transported to Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, MN, still in a coma.
While there, a weekly evaluation was held, discussing health, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, nutrition, and prognosis. The week of Thanksgiving, I had gone over to spend Monday and Tuesday, with Tuesday being the weekly meeting that his mother, Linda Dorn, and I, were to attend. The doctor had come in doing rounds that Monday, and put his hand on my shoulder, and said, Mr. Hinz, I’m so sorry, but we expected some improvement by now. You may be looking at some tough decisions ahead.
We attended the meeting the next day, and it was explained that they didn’t expect any improvement, and we should consider long-term or permanent placement for Dustin. At 6’6″, he was more than we could handle. I left that day for home, and the drive was the worst of my life. What do you do?
Thanksgiving Day, his mother and aunt Kris, had gone out for lunch, and brought it back to his room. Believe it or not, the smell of French fries brought him out of his coma. He asked Linda, who are you, and she said, I’m your mother.
From that point, Dustin started his long road to recovery. Christmas was the toughest, as he had to stay there, locked in a ward, in a net bed. I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams!
Dustin was able to come home for Valentine’s Day, and a benefit/dance was held at Trinity School. He was transferred to Juneau, WI, for the remainder of his rehab, the end of February.
It was great having him back in Wisconsin, and the drive was not too bad. He was called the Miracle Boy, and his progress went well. While there, he was asked to be a tutor at the local school. Amazing to see, considering where he had been only months before. He was able to get his driver’s license before his release.
Dustin was asked to participate in the mock car crash at the high school that May. He struggled to talk as it finally hit him, what people go through, as parents and friends, when dealing with this.
Dustin was released in June of 2006 and immediately enrolled at UW Marathon, to see if he could handle school again. It went well, and that fall he enrolled, staying there for two years. He then transferred to UW Madison, where he graduated with a degree in Political Science in May of 2011. Dustin now works with autistic children in Wausau.
I’d like to thank all the people who gave so generously of their time, and love, Trinity School (Robin Grenfell), 3’s Company (Michelle and Bruce Schwartsman), Eagles Club (Scott and Linda Doerr) and Walmart (Julie Osness), for having the benefits; all his family and friends, who never gave up on him, and Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, through the federal government, and American Family Insurance, David Cooper Agency.
We face many challenges in our lives, the hardest being, when a loved one’s life is threatened. Never give up! Hope and love do conquer all!
Merry Christmas,
Jeffrey J. Hinz
Merrill
Editor:
I’m afraid that I was wrong about climate change. I used to think that Mother Earth was faced with a serious problem. Now, recent evidence has convinced me that Mother Earth is faced with a critically dangerous problem, that must be recognized and corrected as immediately as possible. Climate change is much worse that I had imagined.
The recent evidence is that not only has there been a steady increase in CO2 in our atmosphere, especially recently with the increased burning of lots more fossil fuels, but also huge amounts of methane gas are being released as the arctic region warms.
Methane gas is stored in the frozen tundra. When warmed, it bubbles up, as it has done recently in huge quantities. Methane gas has a greenhouse effect at least 25 times that of CO2. Thus, Earth’s atmosphere will warm even more rapidly, and we are faced with the prospect of even more violent storms, as we have recently seen in our Northeast, and in the Philippine Islands.
Immediate action is necessary. For more information, check out National Geographic, December 2012, pp. 90-109; also the article, “Mercury Rising,” same issue.
James A. Lewis
Town of Maine