The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last week came out with revised guidelines for mammograms and breast self-exams for women. Why did it now suggest women should stop breast self-exams and mammograms for women younger than 50 are not needed?

The American Cancer Society immediately made a statement that these changes should not be implemented.

The Obama administration is already setting up for Obamacare and rationing of health care – before a bill is passed. The government panel that came up with this revision is the only panel to make the determination as to what will be covered in the new health-care bill.

And another insult to the American people is to have Khalid Sheikh Mohammed tried in the American court system, instead of by a military tribunal.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and President Obama are giving this terrorist, who masterminded the killing of 3,000 Americans, the same legal rights that you and I have as American citizens.

If Mohammed is convicted in our court, but was not advised of his Miranda rights, what precedence would that set? Or could a judge throw out the entire case?

While in Japan, Obama said that Mohammed will be convicted and sentenced to death. How can he make this statement? But then, he has already told so many lies to the American people that it is difficult to believe anything he says.

Wake up, Democrats, Republicans, independents and everyone else. Get involved and let your legislators know what you think.

Toni M. Merlo

Johnstown



Government wasting more and more money

It infuriated me when I heard that our government is bringing Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and five of his co-conspirators from Guantanamo to New York for trial in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Who is paying for their trials? Not to mention the years worth of detention, security, housing, food and medicare?

Do you remember Charles Manson, who murdered all those people in California 40 years ago? It has cost taxpayers plenty of dollars to feed and clothe him, put a roof over his head and tend to his medical care and other needs.

The pinheads make laws to keep killers alive and bail out big corporations, but they do nothing to help the hardworking, law-abiding citizens who lose everything in floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural disasters.

And, let’s not forget our servicemen and women who come home handicapped and in distress, and our other veterans. Why doesn’t our government take it easy on the hardworking, yet low-income families that have intelligent kids, but can’t afford today’s college costs?

And finally, how are any of us going to afford the new health-care reforms?

Our leaders makes laws only to help those who refuse to help themselves, and laws to help the legislators line their own pockets. I suppose they’re licking their chops over NASA finding water on the moon, though it took trillions of dollars to do so. I’ll bet they’re figuring how they can profit from this discovery.

Just think what that money could have done here on Earth.

Dorothy Ford

Mineral Point



Grateful for all who came to aid

I would like to thank the emergency medical technician who interrupted his shopping and stopped to help me recently when I fell to the floor in a near-faint in the Richland Township Wal-Mart store. I did not get his name.

He is truly an angel in disguise.

I also would like to thank all the store managers and employees who assisted me by calling an ambulance and staying with me until everything was under control and I was on the way to the emergency room.

You all will be remembered in prayer.

God bless you.

Ed McDunn

Upper Yoder Township



Forgiving those who stayed away

(Regarding a seminar Sept. 19 at Heavenly Sent Ministries, East Conemaugh:)

Where were you, my friends? God gave me a vision about “Bad Girls of the Bible” and how he practiced forgiveness and was given the glory by these same women.

Many people carry unnecessary sins and bondage because of past mistakes and deeds. He instructed me to tell everybody about it. I did, but why didn’t my fellow brothers and sisters attend.

Where were my Catholic friends? I supported them at the closing and reopening of their churches. I attended their spiritual events and was offered wine “spirit” of the world, but not of the Christ body.

Why?

Where were most of the my Methodist friends? Were they too busy planning another needless project on the Lord’s day by tearing down a building in downtown Johnstown?

Also, my Jewish friends were absent.

God called you the chosen people. Did you choose not to come because of my Gentile heritage?

Mary Magdalene was there, Rahab was there along with Jezebel, Jael, Herodias, Delilah and the woman with an issue of blood and the woman at the well. Even King David’s wife, Bathsheba, made an appearance.

But where were you, my friends? They are coming back. They speak of forgiveness. I forgive you. God said I should, and I know I should.

See you next time.

Rev. Richard S. Williams

East Conemaugh