Oklahomans Air Views on Health Care Reform
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Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2009 Durant Daily Democrat Vol. 108, No. 273 Entire contents copyrighted 2009 www.durantdemocrat.com 50 cents Oklahomans air views on health care reform End-of-life issues, abortion among concerns OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — At Cameron those in need ever use my tax dollars that I work are ill. Members of Oklahoma’s congres- University in “We’re gonna kill of health for — my tax dollars — to go for an “We’re gonna kill Grandma when sional delegation heard constituents’ Lawton, where Grandma when she gets a care who abortion,” she said. she gets a certain age,” Peters said. views on a proposal to reform the Cole was on hand, certain age. Well, then aren’t able to A compromise approved by a “Well, then that means me. I’m nation’s health care system in lively an exchange get it. House committee would allow the probably a goner if that’s a fact.” but otherwise orderly meetings. between two that means me.I’m proba- Malcom proposed public plan to cover abor- Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin Hundreds of people gathered women grew con- bly a goner if that’s a fact.” went on tion using only dollars from benefi- has argued that the measure would Thursday at events in Lawton, tentious at times. — RUBIE PETERS,TEACHER IN about her ciary premiums rather than federal create “death panels” that would Muskogee and Oklahoma City that Retired teacher OPPOSITION OF PROVISION IN opposition to funds. Private plans also could opt to force people into accepting minimal were hosted by Reps. Tom Cole and Kathy Malcom BILL THAT WOULD ‘PULL THE a provision cover the procedures but no federal end-of-life care to reduce health care Mary Fallin and Sen. Tom Coburn, argued that the PLUG ON THE ELDERLY AND ILL’ that would subsidies would be used. costs. The bill would allow all Republicans. Attendees were current system allow gov- But even Peters voiced misgiv- Medicare to pay doctors for volun- opinionated but not angry and con- works, pointing to ernment- ings about some elements of the pro- tary counseling that addresses end- frontational like those attending the care her mother received before sponsored health insurance to cover posed reforms. She spoke of a provi- of-life issues, but no one would be forums in other parts of the country she died. Rubie Peters, who still abortion. “I don’t believe I could sion in the bill that would “pull the have been. teaches, disagreed, saying she’s seen ever pay for an abortion; that I could plug” on the elderly and those who See HEALTH, page 2 Rep. Boren announces Navy WAVES vet holds history August town BY MATT SWEARENGIN hall meetings MANAGING EDITOR Sixty-four years ago today, the WASHINGTON D.C. — world celebrated peace with the U.S. Congressman Dan announcement that Japan was sur- Boren announced the addi- rendering, and a local woman who tion of three public town served in the U.S. Navy WAVES halls to an already busy dis- has a newspaper she bought that trict work period schedule, day. which also includes meet- The Second World War was ings with civic clubs, an eco- finally ending, a war that began nomic development forum, a almost six years earlier when the panel on Oklahoma’s trans- German Wehrmacht smashed into portation infrastructure Poland on Sept. 1, 1939. On Dec. 7, needs and multiple con- 1941, the United States was stituent office appointments, plunged into the war when the as well as a previously Empire of Japan attacked the U.S. announced telephone town Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in hall series. Hawaii. No meetings, however, are Germany laid down its arms on currently planned in Durant. May 7, 1945, but Japan continued In order to broaden the to fight and an Allied invasion discussion on health care seemed certain. That all changed in reform and to gather input August 1945 when atomic bombs from constituents across the were unleashed on Hiroshima and Second District, Boren will Nagasaki. be hosting these town halls On Aug. 14, (Aug. 15 Japanese in three separate regions of time) Emperor Hirohito announced eastern Oklahoma on to the Japanese people that the Tuesday, Aug. 18. country was accepting the Allied The meetings will be held surrender terms. in McAlester, Muskogee and Although sporadic fighting con- Pryor. tinued, a conflict that left as many “Town hall meetings are as 60 million dead was coming to great opportunities for con- an end. See BOREN, page 2 Carol Virginia (Martin) Weaver, a resident of Sterling House in Durant, served as a telegrapher in Economists fear the U.S. Navy as part of the U.S. is heading “Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service” (WAVES). toward peroid She was stationed in New Orleans, La., when Japan surrendered. of falling prices A 1941 graduate of Drumright BY MARTIN CRUTSINGER High School, she joined the navy AP ECONOMICS WRITER on Nov. 14, 1944, and was sent to the U.S. Naval Training School in WASHINGTON (AP) — The Bronx, N.Y. Consumer prices were flat in Six days after her enlistment, she July as energy costs retreated sent a post card home to her moth- following a big surge in June. er in Drumright. Over the past 12 months, “Hup! 2-3-4 — Hup 2-Hup 4,” prices dropped the most in she wrote. “That’s what I hear all nearly six decades as the day, but it’s not bad. We’ve had recession and lower energy tests and lectures today.” costs kept a lid on inflation. Weaver does not talk much about The Labor Department said her experiences today, saying it was Thursday that consumer a long time ago. However, one of prices showed no changed in her children, Donna Hair, has typed July, in line with analysts’ out things she has said before. expectations and far below the Weaver joined the navy because 0.7 percent jump in June. she wanted something more inter- Prices fell 2.1 percent over esting. the past 12 months, the “I was 19 when I joined the biggest annual decline since a navy,” she said. “You were sup- similar drop in the period end- posed to be 20 to get in, but if your DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT: MATT SWEARENGIN ing in January 1950. Most of parents gave their permission, you CAROL WEAVER is shown with the newspaper she bought 64 years ago today, announcing that Japan sur- the past year’s decline reflects could go in a little bit earlier than rendered. Weaver, a resident of Sterling House in Durant, served in the U.S. Navy WAVES and was stationed energy prices falling 28.1 per- See VET, page 2 in New Orleans, La., at the time of the surrender. Shown on the wall is a photo of her in uniform. See PRICES, page 2 VERSE INSIDE TODAY’S DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT “To the angel of the church in OBITUARIES .......................................................... 2 Laodicea write: These are the RELIGION.............................................................. 3 Lady Lions win season SPORTS.............................................................. 4-5 words of the Amen, the faithful CLASSIFIED........................................................ 7-8 and true witness, the ruler of COMICS ................................................................ 9 God’s creation. Here I am! I stand COURT RECORDS ................................................ 11 at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the opener door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” —Sports, page 4 - Revelation 3:14,20 2 THE DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT Obituaries FRIDAY,AUGUST 14, 2009 gain economists expected. of gasoline and other energy sures disappeared because of Eunice (Lawson) Whitmire PRICES Production of motor vehicles products. heavy job layoffs. Companies Continued from Page 1 and parts rose 20.1 percent, Gas prices, on a seasonally have been unable to boost Eunice Bessie (Lawson) Whitmire went to be with her after falling for three straight adjusted basis, fell 0.8 percent prices because of weak Lord and Savior on Aug. 12, 2009, cent since peaking in July months. in July. The average price at demand. after a long illness. She was born 2008. The Fed wrapped up a two- the pump is $2.65 per gallon, While the Fed and private Jan. 26, 1911, to Rev. L.L. and Some economists have day policy meeting on up from $2.50 a month ago economists believe the over- Catherine Elmira Lawson in expressed concerns that the Wednesday with a pledge to but well below the record high all environment for inflation Clay County, Texas. She was economy could be headed continue keeping interest of $4.11 hit a year ago. is benign, there have been the last of her immediate toward a dangerous period of rates low for an extended peri- Food costs dropped 0.3 examples of scattered price Lawson family. He hobbies falling prices, something the od. Most analysts don’t percent in July reflecting increases. were crocheting, gardening, U.S. has not experienced expect the first Fed rate declines in a number of cate- Railroad operator CSX canning, quilting, sewing, pro- since the Great Depression of increases until next year after gories led by a 0.6 percent fall Corp. says it expects to raise viding her homemade pies for the 1930s. the unemployment rate peaks. in the cost of dairy products. prices this year, partly church functions, but most of all However, most analysts Core inflation, which Wal-Mart Stores Inc. because shippers don’t have she loved going to church and feel- believe the Federal Reserve excludes energy and food, Thursday reported its first- any alternatives.