My Side of the Fencepost
August 27, 2008
The season of ‘spin’
By Jim Dickerson
Just a word of warning. We’re going to hear a lot of “spin” in the next three months.
It is a relatively new term for efforts to accentuate the positives and downplay the negatives of any given situation, event or issue (positive spin); or, used in reverse, to accentuate the negatives and downplay the positives (negative spin).
I believe the term started to become widely used during the political upheavals of the 1970s and 80s. Political consultants became known as “spin doctors.” A rock group named Spin Doctors was also formed in the 80s.
We have always had “spin,” but it wasn’t always called that. Any time there are two sides to a debate, both sides will obviously try to accentuate their strongest arguments and downplay any rebuttals.
The term “spin” shouldn’t necessarily be considered a negative, but we should recognize that it is present in every argument. We hear it every day.
T. Boone Pickens was obviously using it on a recent trip to Nebraska to sell his plan for achieving U.S. energy independence. In the main points of his argument, he advocates large scale development of wind energy, along with converting all of our vehicles to run on natural gas.
He gives us some food for thought in the national debate over energy, but his argument includes mostly what he wants us to hear. We should consider the suggestions of Pickens as part of the bigger picture, and we should look at where he’s coming from. He is already a big player in the natural gas industry and has plans for a huge wind farm in Texas. He also has a proposal to pump water from the Ogallala Aquifer in Texas to serve the growing water demands in Dallas.
Pickens stands to benefit if the nation adopts his plan.
With the presidential campaign heating up and the Democratic Convention underway, we are hearing spin every time we tune in.
Personally, I thought Michelle Obama gave an excellent speech Monday night in support of her husband’s candidacy. It obviously included her own spin on their family history, Barrack Obama’s qualities and the campaign issues. The quality of her presentation — spin and all — leads me to believe that Mrs. Obama could have a bright political future of her own if she chooses to pursue it.
Vets Club construction underway
August 27, 2008
Vets Club construction
Initial concrete work for the structure (above photo) began last week at the corner of Third and Church Streets.
The fund drive for finance the new building had passed the $70,000 mark and stood at $72,307.50.
See the Albion News Print Edition for complete details.
Nails by Nancy in new location
August 27, 2008
Nancy Soll
Area veterans will travel on Honor Flight
August 27, 2008
Several World War II veterans from the Boone County area are planning to travel aboard an Honor Flight to Washington, DC, in September. They will have the chance to see the World War II memorial and other sites in the nation’s capitol. The flight will be leaving Omaha at 5 a.m. on Sept. 19.
Area veterans scheduled to make the trip are Leo Baustert and Vern Channer, both of St. Edward; Fred Tiede of Albion and Orville Miller of Spalding.
Commissioners appoint two to Planning Board
August 27, 2008
Boone County Commissioners appointed two new members to the County Planning Commission during their regular meeting Monday, Aug. 25.
Mark Wagner of rural Petersburg was appointed to fill the unexpired three-year term of Julie Baumgartner.
Hilary Maricle of rural Albion was appointed to serve the unexpired term of John Matz, who resigned from the board earlier this month.
Rae Valley show again successful
August 27, 2008
Walt Hoefer assists with steam tractor threshingPlenty to see and do at two-day event
Walt Hoefer assists with steam tractor threshing
Rae Valley Heritage Association held its 26th annual Nebraska State Antique Tractor and Horse Plowing Bee on Aug. 23 and 24 west of Petersburg. It was estimated that over 2,000 people attended the two-day show on one of the best weekends, weather-wise, in several years.
See the Albion News and Petersburg Press Print Editions for complete results.
Gayla Oakley receives special award
August 27, 2008
Gayla Oakley
This is a prestigious national award and is presented to only three individuals yearly for their work in the area of cardiac and pulmonary care. The award recognizes the leadership role that individuals have demonstrated within the organization.
As a member of AACPR, Gayla has served on the membership committee and has served twice as chairman of the certification committee, which reviews national cardiac and pulmonary programs to determine whether they meet the criteria to be accredited as cardiac-pulmonary rehab programs.
Under Gayla’s leadership, the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Boone County Health Center was one of the first to be accredited in the United States and currently is only one of 17 certified programs in Nebraska.
Oakley has been at the Health Center for 23 years and started the Cardiac Rehabilitation program in 1985. The program has expanded 100 fold and now serves residents from six counties.
In 2007, the program moved to the new Rudman Rehabilitation Center at the Health Center, which offers state-of-the-art cardiac and pulmonary exercise equipment and services.
August 27, 2008
Dorothy Veronica Braun
Dorothy Veronica Braun, 68 of Rosholt, SD, died on Aug. 15, 2008. Funeral services were held on Aug. 18 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Rosholt, SD. Father Dennis Deis, O.M.I. officiated. Interment was held in the St. Nicholas Cemetery in Rosholt.
Florentine Vanderheiden
Florentine Catherine Pelster Vanderheiden, 85 of Elgin, NE, died Aug. 17, 2008. Requiem Mass was held at 10:30 a.m. at St. Boniface Church on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008. Internment was at the St. Boniface Cemetery following mass.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.huffmanlevander.com.
Betty Farrar
Betty Farrar, 78 of Newman Grove, died Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003 at the Wolf Memorial Home in Albion. Services will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Fellowship Bible Church in Newman Grove. Pastor Scott Carlson will officiate. Burial will be held in the Hope Cemetery. There was no visitation.
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