Letters to the editor: Oct. 29 | Lexington Herald Leader

Modern Turkey, Muslim ally to U.S., celebrates founding

On Oct. 29, over half a million Turkish-Americans will celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey.

On that day in 1923, under the guidance of Mustafa Kemal Ata turk, the Turkish Grand National Assembly proclaimed the republic, realizing the aspirations of Turkish people for freedom, peace and progress in their homeland.

Through the ambitious reforms implementing Ataturk's vision of modern statehood, Turkey transformed from its imperial past into the world's first sustainable secular democracy with a predominantly Muslim population. Modern Turkey is also one of the fastest-growing emerging markets.

For more than 60 years, Turkey has been a key partner in a vital region stretching from Eastern Europe and the Middle East to the Caucasus and Central Asia. More than 5,000 Turkish soldiers took part and more than 700 of them fell fighting alongside the Americans in the 1950-53 Korean War.

During the past two decades, Turkey contributed considerably to the NATO and U.S.-led missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan. With the unraveling crisis in Syria and turmoil in Egypt, Turkey's role as an influential regional power and U.S. ally remains pivotal.

Meanwhile, in less than a century of immigration, Turkish-Americans have left a unique imprint on America's diverse cultural spectrum and have contributed to advancement in the fields of business, science, medicine, technology and arts.

Naser Alamdari

Lexington

Right to affordable care

The government, last I heard, was "of the people, by the people for the people."

Republicans forget that last part. They think "for the people" means, "for the wealthy." While Republicans hate the new health law, so many uninsured constituents want the coverage that website enrollment temporarily has bogged down.

The Affordable Care Act bars exclusions for pre-existing conditions. At last, every baby born with health challenges will have help. Sick people will have coverage for their illnesses. Coverage will be seamless.

Currently, many people without coverage put off medical care at personal risk to themselves, and possibly to others. Other countries long ago identified the need for affordable access to medical care as a basic and necessary right.

Republicans have had decades to enact a legislative solution to these health care issues. As a social worker, I saw patients who received insurance disability after death, children eligible for health insurance only if the father abandoned the family, and patients whose illnesses precluded future health insurance coverage.

President Barack Obama persuaded Congress to be courageous and to act for the people. Now, the mean-spirited closed the government, put people out of work and shut down governmental services. Just like bullies who hurt people to get their way, Republicans would repeal the only comprehensive health care legislation Congress ever has enacted when 40 million citizens are in desperate need of coverage. That tells me all I need to know about their party.

Anne Keating

Lexington

Breast cancer no joke

As a 10-year breast cancer survivor, I am thrilled at the attention that this disease receives every October. The countless walks, runs charities and schools that give their time and hearts to this cause make me unbelievably proud and humble.

However, I am not as proud when I pass a car on the road with a bumper sticker that says, "Save the Ta-Tas," or a sticker that says, "I love Boobies." I am sure that this is a campaign that is targeted more to a younger audience to be more aware of this disease.

I feel I need to remind people, that this disease is in no way funny. I was lucky that my cancer was detected early. However, a cousin of mine was not. She passed away in 2012, at the age of 35.

My heart will always ache for someone who is diagnosed with this. This is a horrible disease that affects not only the patients, but their family and friends.

Kym Herron

Versailles

Fight the pipeline

I received a card titled, "What will the Bluegrass Pipeline mean for our community?" I have heard representatives from the Williams Co. were making this sound like the best thing for Kentucky since sliced bread.

Be aware that this isn't a natural gas pipeline but natural gas liquids that are highly toxic, volatile, cancerous and dangerous. The company wants to ship this as quickly as possible to the Gulf Coast to export for profit.

The pipeline would have a 50-foot easement that landowners would have to maintain so the company could monitor the line for leaks. That means no buildings, no trees and no heavy equipment can cross the line. The property owners would pay the taxes but have very little say concerning the easement.

Do you want this line crossing Kentucky, polluting our land and our water, and possibly causing an explosion? This is what the pipeline would mean for our community. For more information, go to Stopbluegrasspipeline.us.

Pauline Wise

Stamping Ground

Follow Dr. Seuss

Everybody likes Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham. It is a delightful book for children.

If Sens. Rand Paul and Ted Cruz ever do the filibuster thing again, they might consider reading some of Dr. Seuss's other great stories which have a powerful message for adults and children.

I would recommend: The Zaz, The Sneetches, Horton Hears a Who, Horton Hatches the Egg, Yertle the Turtle, The Butter Battle Book, The Lorax and Thidwick the Big-hearted Moose.

If the senators are sensitive readers, they could learn from these stories how they could better relate to the people they represent. From my reading of Dr. Seuss, I don't believe he would be a fan of either senator's conservative philosophy.

Paul L. Whiteley Sr.

Louisville

Quick response

I could not believe it.

I wrote a letter to Mayor Jim Gray complaining about street lights being burned out along a stretch of Man o' War that I walk every morning. And he personally called and left me a message saying he'd notify Kentucky Utilities.

That tells me that if he is concerned about little things, he's the right man to run our city government. Would I vote for him next time? For sure.

Elan W. Reese

Lexington

No dog-poop pickup

I have lived in Lexington for more than 60 years, and this is the worst city government ever.

We must not let our grass grow to look nice. If someone thinks it's too tall, they report it. We will have a notice in our mail so we must comply. Here is the problem: I like my property to look nice, but other people have renters with dogs. Of course, the owners don't care if their dogs use my property for a bathroom. Nothing can be done by calling the city's 311 number unless you can prove it is that person's dogs. Does dog poop have DNA?

The rain drain is right there, so no need to pick up poop. When it rains it washes right down the drain and the dog owner doesn't have any worries. I guess everyone is happy about it but me.

Rosalee Spegal

Lexington