Wednesday, November 14, 2007 Th e Oberlin Herald 5A We appreciate military, especially those in state By State Treasurer Recently I spoke to a group of sol- diers, officers and civilians at Fort Guest Opinion Riley. After the talk, an Army officer approached me and said how much she appreciated being in Kansas. sas. We have had many natural the world. At any given time, the She explained that she had been disasters, from destructive snow Kansas Guard reports, there are stationed at a hospital in Virginia and ice storms in western Kansas around 1,000 soldiers and airmen before being deployed to the Middle to flooding in eastern Kansas, and a either deployed or training for East. When she returned, she was devastating disaster F5 tornado that deployment. They can be found in sent to Kansas. nearly destroyed Greensburg. Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Djibouti This officer said that Kansans, At each of these disasters, Kan- and other points around the world. more than people in any other sas Guardsmen responded swiftly. Back in February, the commander place she’s been stationed, were More than 1,000 of your neighbors, of the Kansas Guard, Maj. Gen. Tod constantly thanking her for her ser- friends, sisters, brothers, husbands, M. Bunting, wrote to his troops, vice, offering to help her and other wives and co-workers left their “We are the Kansas Guard. We have soldiers in any way they could, and homes and families to help fellow proven we can perform any mission generally supporting the military Kansans. our nation asks of us.” When the ice storms hit western Little did he know that just a few PUBLISHER STEVE HAYNES watched as a guard placed a memorial wreath at the Shrine and the mission these brave men and women are trying to accomplish. Kansas, with only hours’ notice, months later, his soldiers and airmen of the Martyrs, Taiwan’s equivalent of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, for the National I think back to that conversation Kansas Guardsmen responded by would be responding to the needs of Newspaper Association. Like in America, the visitor’s role is to hold the wreath briefly. and realize how proud I am to serve air and road. Some were bring- fellow Kansans and again proving — Herald staff photo by Cynthia Haynes as treasurer of such a fine state. Kan- ing generators to towns that had that they can perform any mission sans truly understand the sacrifice lost electricity, others flew hay to asked of them. military personnel are willing to stranded livestock. Each November, I make a point make and want to show our support. While on their way to help, a of remembering and honoring vet- Friend’s work eases travel Call it Midwestern friendliness if group of soldiers rescued three erans, those who are serving and you’d like, but I believe it is the people from overturned vehicles. those who have given the ultimate We left Los Angeles on a Sunday true character of Kansans shining The soldiers administered first sacrifice. night, a couple dozen publisher through. aid, directed traffic around the ac- Please take a moment to remem- couples, including a few retirees, We know the sacrifice because cident, gave the victims their own ber three Kansas Guardsmen who a couple of college students, a few Along the Sappa so many of our Kansas families arctic winter gear for warmth, have died while serving their state friends and hangers one, our “den live it each day. In addition to the and sheltered them in trucks until and country this year: Staff Sgt. mothers,” Allen and Linda, and one thousands of military personnel emergency workers arrived nearly David Russell Berry, Sgt. Courtney old war correspondent. By Steve Haynes at the posts and bases across the an hour later. Dean Finch and Sgt. 1st Class Travis It would be a long night, 14 hours [email protected] state, we also have a strong force of The morning after the tornado, S. Bachman. on the 747 and then the formalities citizen soldiers in our Kansas Army 50 Kansas Guard troops were in We owe our respect and appre- of entering a foreign country — and Air National Guard, as well as Greensburg. Four days later, nearly ciation to the men and women who even as guests of the government ers, and his contacts are invaluable. That afternoon, the buses came reservists from the various branches 500 were assisting with recovery have chosen to protect our state and — and settling into our hotel. I am convinced there is not a city in back for us — our guide was afraid of service. efforts. our nation. Please take a moment It was no problem at all, I tell the world where you could not go we’d never find the rest of the group Each day, more than 7,700 One soldier volunteered to help to offer a silent word of thanks and you, getting a good night’s sleep and find someone influential who at the main train station, and after Guardsmen wake up knowing they lead search and rescue efforts in the for the safety of the many men and on China time (just 12 hours off would proclaim himself a friend of seeing the place, I thought he might could be pulled away from their countryside north of Greensburg women who are in harm’s way right Eastern Daylight Time, and that Allen Beermann. have been right — and we were off families to be deployed to Iraq, even though he knew his home had now, as well as for the families would be important later) once we And that person would gladly for Tai-Chung, halfway down the Afghanistan, the Mexico border or been destroyed by the tornado. awaiting their safe return. got checked into the Grand Hotel give you, another friend of Allen island, by bullet train. There we even places within our state. Kansas Guardsmen and women in Taipei. Beermann, the shirt off his back. had a tour, saw a saxophone factory It has been a tough year for Kan- are also responding to needs around The next day, we’d be busy, lay- I can tell you not every group — big business there — and ate a ing a wreath at the tomb of Taiwan’s that visits Taiwan gets to meet the delightful dinner with the mayor, unknown soldier, known as the president, and we spent more than Jason Hu. Shrine of the Martyrs, then meeting an hour visiting in his reception The next morning we watched the with the president at his palace. chamber. It helps to know Allen Series live on the television on our Among our group were three Beermann. tour buses, but the game wasn’t any Honor Roll former presidents of the National That morning, we had to get the better than the last two. We visited Newspaper Association, all of World Series scores from Liz, who monuments, including the tomb of Welcome and thanks to these Firestone; Wally Marcuson, Gree- Oberlin: Mrs. Laurene Van Ot- whom had led foreign missions got a play-by-play on her cell phone. former President Chiang Kai-Shek recent subscribers to The Oberlin ley; Phyllis Klich, Denver. terloo, Larry Van Otterloo, Kelva during their terms, so I had some Amazing things, those new phones. (the tomb was closed, but the mu- Herald: Kansas: Southwind Steakhouse, Dryden, Donna Goss, Vernon Died- expertise to call on. Still, I wasn’t Liz is a Red Sox fan, though, and seum was open), then loaded up our E. June McGatlin, Renton, Wash.; George Launchbaugh, Selden; erich, Willis Carman, Henry Edgett, quite ready to get up and talk to the the rest of us were rooting for our bags for the flight to Ho Chi Mhin Roxie Tuller, McCook; Paul Hol- Farmers Bank and Trust, Betty Dick Kelley, Mildred Black, Brice president, or to present the wreath Rockies, the six from Denver, City, the former southern capital of liday, Palestine, Texas; Donnelle Grout, Kim Franklin, Atwood; Jim Meitl, Penny Arnoldy, Donald Neff, at the tomb. Cynthia and I and a couple of other Saigon in Vietnam. and Tom Manton, Umpqua, Ore.; Mader, Jennings; Michael Roe, Ardythe Cederberg, June Fortin, Then again, our “den mothers” westerners. After a couple of quick days Jim Ater, Hilo, Hawaii. Jamestown; Anthony Gassman, Earl Winder, Deb Lohoefener, Paul were on their 23rd trip to Taiwan. The next day we politely told Al- there — more on that later — we California: Thomas Cooper, San Dresden; Kevin Rasure, Goodland; Corcoran, Darroll Banzet, Ralph Allen Beermann today is executive len we’d skip the morning visit to an flew Vietnam Airlines to Hanoi. It Diego; Eleanor Matal, Woodland. Lloyd Wente, Quinter; John and Shaw, Jackie Votapka, Dick Kelley, director of the Nebraska Press As- opera school and watch the game at was not a good experience, but the Colorado: Karen Buxton, Brigh- Francheska Lamb, Topeka; Amy Anita Mumm, Shirley Hayward, sociation, but for 24 years he was the hotel. We had high hopes, a huge airline did deliver us for three days ton; Linda Marintzer, Mrs. Arlee and Clayton Erickson, Tecumseh; First National Bank, Harold Dem- the elected secretary of state there. wide-screen television in the suite of relaxation, interspersed with a Williams, Westminster; Bill Sten- Kari Willliby, Hays; Brandon Dirks, mer. He began his Asian adventures and an 8 p.m. start in Boston meant couple of official visits, in Hong son, Edwards; David Grose, Randy Ludell; David O’Toole, Leawood; by arranging trade missions for 8 a.m. in Taipei. Kong. Some bought real and “rep- Crabill, Aurora; Stormie Caldwell, Norton Public Library, Norton. the and got so good at it No beer or peanuts, but that early lica” Rolexes; others got new suits. he organized them for a couple of in the morning it was just as well. Everyone was in awe of the city. other states, including Kansas’ Bill Of course, we had to listen to Liz But enough for this week. More Graves. gloating through the whole game. It later, if I can find the notes in my Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Allen has graciously organized was miserable, but at least we were baggage. several of these trip for our publish- watching the Series. 1 2 3 Rawlins Nuclear Stress Test County MRI Mobile Unit States hope to tax Internet Vasc Ultrasounds By Jonathan Williams Health Cardiac Rehab Flint Hills Center for Public Policy Center 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Nuclear Stress If you think the concept of state Cardiac Rehab Guest Opinion McDonald Diabetic Clinic Dr. Reeves Test Podaitary and local governments taxing your Clinic - p.m. Echocardiograms MRI Mobile Unit Internet access is preposterous, Ultrasounds Vasc Ultrasounds even France or Sweden. Subject- Internet access taxes. RAWLINS Cardiac Rehab think again. ing domestic firms to an additional The old economics axiom is true COUNTY Cardiac Rehab Dr. Reeves For years, revenue-hungry gov- taxation can only make America – when you tax something, you gen- Podaitary ernments have been itching for the less competitive. erally get less of it. Taxing the very HEALTH opportunity to tax new technolo- 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Of course, many state and local technology that has fueled much of CENTER Diabetic Clinic gies, and now they might actually McDonald Dr. Saba MRI Mobile Unit government officials will fight our economy’s productivity growth Cardiac Rehab Echocardiograms have their chance. COMMUNITY Clinic - p.m. Orthopedics Vasc Ultrasounds vigorously for the additional tax doesn’t sound like an economic or a Ultrasounds Cardiac Rehab If Congress doesn’t act by fall, revenue that taxing Internet access political winner. The Internet is one CALENDAR Cardiac Rehab Nuclear Stress state and local governments will be would provide. However, increas- of the last frontiers the tax man has Dr. Frankum Surgery Test allowed to tax Internet access. If the ing government revenue has never been unable to conquer. Let’s hope current ban is allowed to expire, it been the central aim of good tax our representatives in Washington could increase Internet connection 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 policy. keep it that way. 707 Grant Diabetic Clinic costs for the average user by $85 or Cardiac Rehab McDonald MRI Mobile Unit Now more than ever, electronic As they say, “once the camel gets Echocardiograms more per year. Atwood, KS Clinic - p.m. Vasc Ultrasounds commerce needs to be left free its nose in the tent, it is not easily Ultrasounds Cardiac Rehab In 1998, the U.S. Congress, in from excessive government inter- removed.” 67730 Cardiac Rehab a move to protect the further de- Dr. Curtis Nuclear Stress ference. Our nation’s explosive Jonathan Williams is a fiscal (785) 626-3211 Cardiology Test velopment of the Internet-based economic growth in the past decade policy fellow with the Wichita-based marketplace, instituted a three-year was spurred largely by increases in Flint Hills Center for Public Policy 25 26 27 28 29 30 moratorium on Internet taxation. productivity. The main factor in this and director of tax and fiscal policy Diabetic Clinic Nuclear Stress Bringing Cardiac Rehab This moratorium was renewed in productivity growth was the unin- at the American Legislative Ex- McDonald Echocardiograms Test 2001 and again in 2003. The current Clinic - p.m. Ultrasounds hibited development of the Internet change Council. He can be reached Specialized MRI Mobile Unit moratorium is set to expire Nov. 1. Cardiac Rehab Vasc Ultrasounds and related electronic commerce. at williams.jonathan.p@gmail. Healthcare Dr. Miller If state and local governments This growth was further aided when com. To learn more about the center, To Your Cardiology Cardiac Rehab are allowed to tax Internet access, Congress passed the moratorium on go to www.flinthills.org. Community individual and business consumers TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT will shoulder the burden. Accord- In House Services Available Daily WITH A VISITING PHYSICIAN, ing to the National Association of November CT Scan ** Bone Mineral Density PLEASE CALL Manufacturers, if the Internet Tax (785)626-3211 Moratorium expires, it would give ** EKG Photo Policy Cheryl Banister, RN over 7,000 taxing jurisdictions the 2007 Electrocardiograms Specialty Clinic Director ability to tax Internet access for America’s businesses. This would The Oberlin Herald wants to any pictures of people lined up or of increase the cost of doing business emphasize photos of people doing people passing checks, certificates and slow the tremendous growth in things in the community. If you and the like. (We will always try to productivity that the Internet has know of an event or news happen- make room for a story about any of provided. ing that we should attend, please these events, however.) Allowing state and local govern- call 475-2206. ments to tax Internet access will Please be sure to allow a couple Internet Tonight! put U.S. firms at a disadvantage of days’ notice so we can arrange in their competition with foreign to be there. From the Bible firms. Today, companies based in Space in the paper is limited and the U.S. already face the second- so is the time of our staff, so we may And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? 475-2206 highest combined state and federal not be able to get to every event, but corporate tax rate in the Organiza- we will try. There is none good but one, tion for Economic Cooperation Because space is so limited, we that is, God. and Development — higher than cannot run team or group photos, Mark 10:18

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