While I’ve never been one to consider myself an inhumane individual – I’m the type of person who swerves to avoid hitting squirrels ... not to mention I absolutely hate guns – I’ll be the first to admit that abolishing capital punishment is a heinous idea. Recently, there have been a slew of articles written in favor of abolishing the death penalty all across the country. Personally, I don’t see why Wisconsin, or any of the other 14 states (and Washington, D.C.) that have already abolished the death penalty, chose to do so. I once read somewhere that revenge is the primary motivation behind capital punishment and that true healing can only happen through forgiveness and repentance. As true as that may be for some, it still astounds me that taxpayers would rather keep murderers alive – and pay to do so – instead of ridding the world of them altogether. And in this faltering economy, there seems to be a peculiar upswing in murder rates.
In Chippewa County, alone, there have been three murders since late February. That’s an average of one a month, people. Speaking as a former resident of that county, that’s a staggering statistic. Clearly, criminals are not perturbed by the thought that life in prison is the worst punishment they will receive if convicted. Hell, for some, that may be a step up from how they’re living now. I mean, in prison, they’ll be served three meals a day and have free room and board without having to go out and earn a living or have any major responsibilities. Aside from living with the guilt – though some may not even feel that emotion – of taking a life, it’s a fairly easy way to get by ... and on taxpayer dollars, no less. I don’t know about you, but it really burns my toast that our hard-earned money is going toward housing these criminals. Whatever happened to the old “eye for an eye” philosophy?
According to Amnesty International, one of the primary anti-capital punishment organizations, “the death penalty is the ultimate denial of human rights. It is the premeditated and cold-blooded killing of a human being by the state in the name of justice. It violates the right to life ... It is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.”
Surely our forefathers would look at us and laugh that we’re refusing to put people to death because it’s “cruel and unusual,” especially considering how said human being got to that point in the justice system in the first place. I, for one, think it’s cruel and unusual for a deranged man to stab a teenager to death while he sleeps. But given that Wisconsin doesn’t have the death penalty and he’s entered an insanity plea, I’m sure he’ll get off easy. And, while we’re on that subject, I don’t care much for the idea that murderers can plead insanity and be given the benefit of the doubt – and the possibility of a lesser sentence. Sure, that individual may have been acting in a fit of rage or in the heat of the moment, but does that make them any less of a threat to society? Not in my eyes. Is it just me or is our liberal justice system being a little too liberal in its treatment of cold-blooded murderers?
Jennie Oemig
Editor
Arcadia News-Leader
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Milking It For All It's Worth
So after the raw milk bill passed both houses of the Wisconsin legislature, one would have thought it’d be smooth sailing. All it needs is Gov. Jim Doyle’s signature and farmers across the state will be able to legally sell milk on their farms. Not so fast. While we should have seen this one coming, it disheartens me that cheesemakers, dairies and other “concerned” entities are making a last-ditch effort to push Gov. Doyle to veto the bill. First of all, the only concern these interest groups have is their own interest. God forbid farmers sell their own milk and the dairies don’t get as much milk per shipment. Clearly, the cheesemakers know what’s at stake if this is allowed this to happen. If farmers can sell their own milk, what’s keeping them from selling their own cheese as well?
But the reasonings posed by these entities is what’s most bothersome. They’re claiming that raw milk should not be legalized because of the possibility that it can contain bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella, which is hazardous, and could potentially even be lethal, to people’s health. Why, you ask, does this rub me the wrong way? Well, from my perspective, there are two ways to look at this. Either we’re being called ignorant for not knowing what the risks are or, via erroneous concern for our health, we’re being used as pawns to prevent farmers from having the right to sell their own product outright. The mere fact that the sale of raw milk can be harmful to our health is being extremely overplayed. Before pasteurization became common practice, the sale of raw milk was totally acceptable. And if the government were to ban everything that posed a threat to our health, we’d have next to nothing.
That said, what right does the government have to tell us what we can and can’t put in our bodies in the first place? They’re OK with us consuming exorbitant amounts of alcohol, which can cause cirrhosis of the liver, and we can smoke like chimneys, so long as there are warning labels on the packaging explaining those risks. If I recall, the raw milk bill did state that farmers would have to label their product as hazardous, as well as comply with regulations set forth. So what’s the problem? Those opposed to the bill are just making a spectacle of this issue. After all, raw eggs and raw chicken can carry salmonella, but the government doesn’t feel it’s necessary to properly cook them for us before we eat them. And if we like our steaks cooked any way but well done, there’s a health concern there, too. But that’s not going to stop people from ordering their meat undercooked. For as little concern is expressed for those things, there sure is a lot of emphasis being put on health issues when it comes to the legalization of the sale of raw milk, which would only be temporary through 2011. Witnessing this reaction to something that’s not even guaranteed further raises my curiosity about hidden agendas spurring all of this opposition.
While I’m sure support for the bill is equal to or, perhaps, greater than the opposition, I understand Gov. Doyle’s dilemma. As an elected official, it is his duty to take all matters into consideration before signing it into law. But I sure don’t envy him in this battle. Whether he signs the bill or not, the temporary sale of raw milk would become legal this Thursday. However, if he decides to exercise his veto power, it’s back to the drawing board for farmers across the state. But they’ve done their part to help Wisconsin become the dairy giant that it is ... shouldn’t they at least be granted the opportunity to experiment with raw milk sales if they so choose?
Jennie Oemig
Editor
Arcadia News-Leader
But the reasonings posed by these entities is what’s most bothersome. They’re claiming that raw milk should not be legalized because of the possibility that it can contain bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella, which is hazardous, and could potentially even be lethal, to people’s health. Why, you ask, does this rub me the wrong way? Well, from my perspective, there are two ways to look at this. Either we’re being called ignorant for not knowing what the risks are or, via erroneous concern for our health, we’re being used as pawns to prevent farmers from having the right to sell their own product outright. The mere fact that the sale of raw milk can be harmful to our health is being extremely overplayed. Before pasteurization became common practice, the sale of raw milk was totally acceptable. And if the government were to ban everything that posed a threat to our health, we’d have next to nothing.
That said, what right does the government have to tell us what we can and can’t put in our bodies in the first place? They’re OK with us consuming exorbitant amounts of alcohol, which can cause cirrhosis of the liver, and we can smoke like chimneys, so long as there are warning labels on the packaging explaining those risks. If I recall, the raw milk bill did state that farmers would have to label their product as hazardous, as well as comply with regulations set forth. So what’s the problem? Those opposed to the bill are just making a spectacle of this issue. After all, raw eggs and raw chicken can carry salmonella, but the government doesn’t feel it’s necessary to properly cook them for us before we eat them. And if we like our steaks cooked any way but well done, there’s a health concern there, too. But that’s not going to stop people from ordering their meat undercooked. For as little concern is expressed for those things, there sure is a lot of emphasis being put on health issues when it comes to the legalization of the sale of raw milk, which would only be temporary through 2011. Witnessing this reaction to something that’s not even guaranteed further raises my curiosity about hidden agendas spurring all of this opposition.
While I’m sure support for the bill is equal to or, perhaps, greater than the opposition, I understand Gov. Doyle’s dilemma. As an elected official, it is his duty to take all matters into consideration before signing it into law. But I sure don’t envy him in this battle. Whether he signs the bill or not, the temporary sale of raw milk would become legal this Thursday. However, if he decides to exercise his veto power, it’s back to the drawing board for farmers across the state. But they’ve done their part to help Wisconsin become the dairy giant that it is ... shouldn’t they at least be granted the opportunity to experiment with raw milk sales if they so choose?
Jennie Oemig
Editor
Arcadia News-Leader
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
A Long Overdue Thank You
No matter what profession you are in and how many countless hours you put in going above and beyond what your job description entails, I think everyone would be in agreement with me saying that law enforcement is the most thankless job known to man. Think about it. When you get a ticket, you don’t say “thank you” to the officer – who’s merely doing his job by ensuring your safety – as he hands over a citation. Instead, you get pissed off. And rightfully so. I mean, you’re the one who gets stuck with demerit points on your license, not to mention that the fine isn’t going to pay itself. And believe me, the stigma attached to law enforcement isn’t any different from the perspective of a police officer’s daughter.
I’m not going to lie, I’ve been pulled over several times and cursed the wind ... no more so than when my own father, a patrol sergeant for the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department, nailed me for speeding shortly after I started driving. Let me tell you, I got the most verbal of warnings anyone could possibly imagine. But as crime rates continue to rise, I can’t help but get a lump in my throat every time I watch the news and hear about a police officer who had been killed in the line of duty, left only to imagine what those families are going through. Thankfully, I haven’t had to deal with that kind of grief. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have nightmares about getting that dreaded phone call ... someone on the other end telling me that I would never see my dad again. Because I know that any day, that nightmare could easily become a reality.
While I understand that not all people are armed criminals and most would never think of pulling a gun on an officer of the law, it only takes one. In an instant the lives of an entire family are changed forever. But the sad fact is that gun violence isn’t the only threat police officers face. That was made all the more evident on Jan. 4, 2008, when I learned that Jason Zunker, a Chippewa County Sheriff’s deputy, had been struck by a car while directing traffic. He died from his injuries the following day. It just so happened that I was home from Wyoming visiting at the time, and one very haunting “what if” question clouded my thoughts that evening: What if I hadn’t come home and my dad hadn’t taken vacation time? Chances are he could have been on duty that evening. Not to say that he would have responded to that very accident scene, but, without a doubt, it hit way too close to home. But that’s just a of the reality I’m forced to live with every day ... at least until my dad retires.
As much as people like to make them out to be the bad guys, I admire police officers for what they do. Every day they go on duty, there is a chance that they might not come home. They selflessly put their lives in danger for the sake of keeping the rest of society safe. The same is true for all emergency personnel who serve and protect, all the while risking their lives. So, seeing as how this is National Police Week (which fittingly coincided with the Fourth Annual Arcadia Area Hometown Heroes event on Tuesday), I would just like to express my gratitude and say thank you to law enforcement officers – and all emergency personnel – for everything that you do. Next time I get pulled over – and I know that day will come, likely sooner than I hope – I’ll be sure to thank the police officer. Ah, who am I kidding? The best I can do is promise I won’t swear ... it’s as good as a thank you.
Jennie Oemig,
Editor
Arcadia News-Leader
I’m not going to lie, I’ve been pulled over several times and cursed the wind ... no more so than when my own father, a patrol sergeant for the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department, nailed me for speeding shortly after I started driving. Let me tell you, I got the most verbal of warnings anyone could possibly imagine. But as crime rates continue to rise, I can’t help but get a lump in my throat every time I watch the news and hear about a police officer who had been killed in the line of duty, left only to imagine what those families are going through. Thankfully, I haven’t had to deal with that kind of grief. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have nightmares about getting that dreaded phone call ... someone on the other end telling me that I would never see my dad again. Because I know that any day, that nightmare could easily become a reality.
While I understand that not all people are armed criminals and most would never think of pulling a gun on an officer of the law, it only takes one. In an instant the lives of an entire family are changed forever. But the sad fact is that gun violence isn’t the only threat police officers face. That was made all the more evident on Jan. 4, 2008, when I learned that Jason Zunker, a Chippewa County Sheriff’s deputy, had been struck by a car while directing traffic. He died from his injuries the following day. It just so happened that I was home from Wyoming visiting at the time, and one very haunting “what if” question clouded my thoughts that evening: What if I hadn’t come home and my dad hadn’t taken vacation time? Chances are he could have been on duty that evening. Not to say that he would have responded to that very accident scene, but, without a doubt, it hit way too close to home. But that’s just a of the reality I’m forced to live with every day ... at least until my dad retires.
As much as people like to make them out to be the bad guys, I admire police officers for what they do. Every day they go on duty, there is a chance that they might not come home. They selflessly put their lives in danger for the sake of keeping the rest of society safe. The same is true for all emergency personnel who serve and protect, all the while risking their lives. So, seeing as how this is National Police Week (which fittingly coincided with the Fourth Annual Arcadia Area Hometown Heroes event on Tuesday), I would just like to express my gratitude and say thank you to law enforcement officers – and all emergency personnel – for everything that you do. Next time I get pulled over – and I know that day will come, likely sooner than I hope – I’ll be sure to thank the police officer. Ah, who am I kidding? The best I can do is promise I won’t swear ... it’s as good as a thank you.
Jennie Oemig,
Editor
Arcadia News-Leader
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