Page 4A • Sunday, May 29, 2011
STAFF VIEWS
Opinions
The Daily Citizen
Still healthy
Where to begin. Why to begin at all? Because, by Nellie, I didn’t get to be 79 years on this earth to have another source tell me all about the day and the hour life would end. I don’t understand why it’s always a preacher with this nonsense. Believe me, in those 79 years, this is not the first time or even the 10th or 20th that I’ve been told the earth is about to be destroyed. When I was going to the university and driving home on graveled Highway 36 from Conway to Searcy there was always that weathered sign just over the ridge leaving Conway that said, “The End is Near,” or “Prepare to Meet God.” It’s not that I believed any of that but it was an additional harassment after a long drive. Indeed, I once thought the end was near when I was breezing along that road and slammed on my brakes about two or three miles past Vilonia only to find the road was solid ice. After spinning around a few times I was able to right myself and get home all right. But this column is about growing old and all the negative benefits associated with it. I spent a total of 17 hours last week on sick leave from work at appointments with three specialists. Much of it was with the usual delays and some of it was so short I really didn’t believe I was through. But one of the appointments was not made for me by the doctor. It was one in which I was given a certification signed by the doctor and oral instructions to take it to my lab for the blood work. I don’t have a lab and mentioned that, so the doctor’s nurse told me to “just take it to such-andsuch,” and they’d do it. She
PERRIN JONES
even suggested that one of the labs was in a nearby building. It wasn’t. I was told there that there was an entrance at the other end of the building and I could get it done there. I couldn’t. They didn’t do that there either. I should go to the main hospital. I went. I entered the outpatient door because this was just for blood work. Wrong place. Blood work was for inpatients and she sent me to the main entrance where I gave the wrinkled sheet of doctor’s orders. I was directed to join the other 20 or so waiting patients. An hour and 20 minutes later I was called to the desk and asked if I had ever used the hospital. I explained my activities with the hospital since the late 1940s and with the help of my social security card, my insurance card and my driver’s license, I was led to a three room suite with one nurse who appeared to be busy and another 10 minute wait came before I gave the blood. I will share with you that a brain scan says I have never had a stroke and that the cause of my wobbling walk is spinal stenosis which I am to handle by trying not to fall down until and unless it becomes painful. Other than that, old and healthy as a horse. Perrin Jones is Editor Emeritus of The Daily Citizen.
EDITORIAL
Good campaign
In 2009, Arkansas became the 29th state to adopt a primary offense seat belt law. Under Act 308, law enforcement officers can stop and ticket drivers specifically for failing to wear a seat belt, and it made Arkansas eligible for $9.5 million in annual federal funds, which means the state doesn't take the matter lightly. Each year, the Arkansas State Police initiates a "Click It or Ticket" campaign, and this year's (began) Monday and continues through June 5. During that time period, state, county and city law enforcement agencies will work together to ensure that Arkansans are buckling up. And with good reason. Nationally in 2009, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, 53 percent of fatally injured vehicle occupants weren't wearing their seat belts. In Arkansas, 63 percent of those killed in traffic accidents weren't wearing them. Those statistics also show that wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 - 60 percent, depending on the type of vehicle. Fortunately for Arkansas' motorists, the "Click It or Ticket" campaign has made a difference. Since its inception, seat belt usage has risen to 78.3 percent, but while that's a marked improvement, it's really not good enough. The national seat belt usage rate is 85 percent, and once again, Arkansas falls short of that goal - and with deadly consequences. The NHTSA estimates that if just five percent more of the state's drivers would buckle up, it would prevent 20 traffic fatalities and 210 serious injuries, not to mention save $45 million in annual economic costs to the state. In the words of Chuck Lange, executive director of the Arkansas Sheriffs Association, "Getting Arkansans to use their seat belts is an easy and proven way to save lives. A ticket is a small price to pay if it encourages buckling up and prevents future fatalities." We couldn't agree more. — The Sunday News
Serving our readers since 1854 Mike Murphy Publisher Jacob Brower Editor Jessica Pruitt Marketing Manager
Contact us: • Publisher Mike Murphy: mmurphy@thedailycitizen.com • Editor Jacob Brower: jbrower@thedailycitizen.com • Managing Editor Warren Watkins: warren@thedailycitizen.com • News Editor Wendy Jones: editor@thedailycitizen.com • Sports Editor Craig Woodson: cwoodson@thedailycitizen.com
STAFF VIEWS
Send help, prayers to Joplin
N
JACOB BROWER
othing could have prepared me for last weekend. Early Saturday morning while on vacation in Nashville, Tenn., I received word that my 93-year-old grandmother had passed away in Joplin, Mo. Much of my family lives in Joplin, and many other family members came to Joplin that weekend for the Monday visitation and Tuesday funeral. I spent Saturday traveling back to Searcy. On Sunday, I thought about heading to Missouri, but had office work I needed to get out of the way Monday morning. Sunday night, while relaxing on the couch, I started to see Facebook posts about a tornado hitting Joplin. At first, I shrugged it off. Tornados are always going through or around Joplin, bypassing populated areas or leaving only minor damage. As the Facebook posts became more frantic, I started to get concerned. I turned to The Weather Channel and couldn't believe what I was seeing. I immediately began trying to make contact with friends and family members to make sure they were OK. The storms had swept up cell phone towers, making this task nearly impossible. But, by around midnight, I was finally able to get everyone accounted for. I headed to Missouri on Monday with a heavy heart. Joplin is a city that has always been dear to me. I lived there for six years while earning my education at Missouri Southern State University and serving as sports editor of The Press in neighboring Carthage, Mo. I had never lived more than 45 minutes from Joplin until coming to Searcy, with the exception of one semester I spent studying
Salvation Army workers and other emergency personnel on Tuesday work in the middle of rubble caused by a tornado that hit Joplin, Mo., on Sunday, May 22. Over 130 deaths and over 900 injuries have been reported, with more than 200 still missing. Jacob Brower/jbrower@thedailycitizen.com overseas. I grew up in Anderson, Mo., injuries have been reported so far, with a small town of less than 2,000 people around 150 still missing. which is only 30 minutes south of Joplin, Please help your neighbors in so the city was often my destination for Missouri by texting "REDCROSS" to eating, shopping and entertainment. 90999 to make a $10 donation, or visit Tuesday morning, I had a chance to redcross.org to donate, give blood or see first-hand the destruction the tornado volunteer. left behind. A friend of mine asked me And, of course, please continue to to describe it, and I couldn't. No words, pray for Joplin and all storm-affected not even photos or videos, can describe areas. the damage caused by the storm. I lived in three different places during my time Jacob Brower is the editor of The Daily in Joplin. Two of them were reduced to Citizen. He can be reached at jbrower@ rubble. Over 130 deaths and over 900 thedailycitizen.com, or 501-268-8621.
ONLINE VIEWS
Facebook Question of the Week This week, we asked our Facebook fans, “What are your plans for Memorial Day weekend?” Some of their answers are published below.
We want to hear from you! Rick Brooks
Becky Headley
Searcy
Mandy Castellano
Searcy
Beebe
"Remembering our fallen heroes, first and foremost, with special recognition at Liberty Baptist Church. Then relishing time together with family, food, fellowship and fishing."
"I'm going to Vegas to get married and go skydiving!"
"Spend it with my daughter who has been in PICU at Childrens Hospital. ... We are just going to be with our family and remember that is what is most important."
Like us on Facebook to take part in future Questions of the Week! facebook.com