Stop, look and listen has been taught to all small children. This was for their safety and protection from harm as they crossed streets.

After reading Ms. Riley’s recent letter about health insurance games, I wanted to let her know that life insurance companies also have surprises. My husband bought a life insurance policy years ago.

Mr. Trisler — when I wrote my recent letter to the editor, I expected a reply from someone in the oil business. Are you in the oil business? Yes, Mr. Trisler, they do collect taxes on gasoline and do not make the gasoline.

Andy Abshire’s piece about “church-state separation” was very interesting in what it said about the “myth,” but especially in what was left out about the amended Bill of Rights, which limits both state and federal power.

While driving east on West Cross Street recently, a boy, around the age of 13, was standing on the edge of the sidewalk with his skateboard in hand.

I just wanted to say a few words about Holly Renz. Thirty years ago, I was taken to Community Hospital with a heart ailment.

In response to Jim Mowell’s June 17 letter, all anyone has to do is view the video The Herald Bulletin has online.

June 17 started like every other day until I read the article concerning Officer Brian Bell and the police shooting of Shain Arnold that had taken place.

This Obama Stimulus package will prove to be a colossal mistake.

Members of the George Hockett American Legion Auxiliary Unit 127 and Indiana veterans want to thank all who joined our “Poppy Club” and everyone who donated to our “Poppy Fund” and wore a poppy to show their thanks to our veterans.

Every time I see my neighbor this is what I hear: “How much sleep did you get at the fire house last night?” I thought I’d just write the answer.

You pay your insurance payment, month after month, year after year. Sure, the cost is up a bit these days, but it’s worth it to know that you’ll be covered if you have a health care emergency, right?
Wrong.

The Boys of Winkle Auto, or otherwise known as the Little League Team That Can.

President Obama needs to cut off the funding for extremely expensive insurance that the members of the Senate and House enjoy for free. This would be great motivation for the Legislative Branch to pass a national health care plan and give them a lot of money to start it up with.

We would like to thank all the people who donated items to or shopped at the Keystone Woods’ Rummage Sale to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

I do not agree with the school year always starting in the middle of August. Education is great but you need family time with your children and we don’t seem to have enough time for the kids in the summer anymore.

Businesses operate for a variety of reasons; not the least of which is profit.

First of all, I am not here to get into a pistol match with the newspaper. In the past, I have agreed with many of your editorials. However, I feel compelled to send a response to the editorial published Saturday, June 20, 2009 — “Officer’s training and restraints earn respect."

Mr. Harrison, in his letter to the editor, said that oil companies are excessively greedy.

Thank you, Herald Bulletin, for running a photo on the newspaper’s front page of Shain E. Arnold.

Over the past few weeks I have read many articles about the homeless living in the woods along the river. And the “Wow, how could this be going on in our town?” attitudes of many of our townspeople.

As the June 30 deadline approaches for income-eligible eighth-graders to register for the 21st Century Scholarship, we should be thankful to journalists such as Bethany Tabb in the New Castle Courier Times of June 13 (Bravo to Wilbur Wright Elementary School Principal Tony Personett for getting 100 percent of his eligible sixth-graders registered!)

Because of the generous sponsorships of so many community leaders, we were again able to present an all musical concert season of the Big Band Sounds. Primrose Retirement Communities, although new to this area, stepped forward to be the major sponsor. We welcome them to the area and thank them or their support.

Commenting on the article in the Friday, June 12, edition of The Herald Bulletin titled “Trash fee gets initial OK from City Council,” Councilman Eicks made a couple of points.

Congressman Mike Pence takes his position as chairman of the House Republican Conference seriously. But in his zeal to present Republican positions, truth and good judgment sometimes fall by the wayside.

On June 13, an article appeared in The Herald Bulletin, on Page A-3, regarding two boys (ages 15 and 16) who robbed the VFW Post. There is talk of a possible suit against their parents, for poor parenting.

Last week, Indiana Sens. Lugar and Bayh courageously joined their colleagues in the U.S. Senate to pass landmark legislation giving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate the manufacturing and marketing of tobacco products. They deserve credit and our sincere gratitude.

I read your recent article, “Gas prices rise as summer begins.” Yes — and the oil companies know people will be driving more in the good old summer time, so, they acted accordingly. On the insert accompanying the article, which listed the price of gas and where the money goes, you forgot to include 80 percent greed!

What am I missing? Ollie Dixon was indicted for criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon. If the four sets of officers had done their jobs, Dixon would not have taken the weapon into the jail cell. In my opinion, the wrong person was indicted; all of those officers should have been, because they put many lives in danger.

On Saturday, May 30, the people of Anderson and Madison County lost a life-saver, with the untimely passing of Dr. Fred Osborn. Those of us who work in the field of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) lost our first and best friend and mentor. For over 22 years, I had the privilege of working with Dr. Fred, and from those first years, he was there.

Indiana Legislators spent January, February, March and April working on legislation including a new state budget. The budget failed in the final minutes of the regular session. Last week, the 12-member special committee met to begin work on the governor’s reportedly simple budget proposal. The 180-page plus proposal was anything but simple.

Recently it was carnival time at East Lynn Christian Church. This event was an outstanding success — and a great idea! Our hats are off to Lamar and Lynn Fogle. Admission was four cans of food for the church food pantry, which is open every Wednesday from noon until 2 p.m.

Recently, tucked in the inner pages of The Herald Bulletin, there was a short news blurb regarding how to compute the “teaching” days in Indiana public schools. A bill, pending in the Legislature, that would require a full day of class activity for a full day credit or pay (a change from the method now in place), was not allowed even the courtesy of a committee vote.

The Anderson Family YMCA would like to thank the community for the tremendous support at its 29th annual YMCA Strawberry Festival. Big, luscious strawberries were donated by Pay Less/Kroger Super Markets, premium vanilla ice-cream was provided by Prairie Farm Dairy and the First Presbyterian Church allowed us the use of their kitchen for baking shortcakes and cleaning berries.

I’m not sure if we are heading toward socialism, as some say or fascism as expressed by others.

There is an addiction that has taken over this country, an addiction far more serious than heroin or methamphetamine, an addiction holding this entire country in its obsidian, vise-like grasp, oil addiction!

Thank you for publishing the information on the non-opening of the Athletic Park Pool. I am very disappointed.

It was good to see John Gunter’s letter in The Herald Bulletin, regarding the Hardin family. He’s right. First, Jeff is a treasure, and so is the whole family.

Friends and citizens of Anderson, if and when we need health care in our community, I believe we are in good hands. I’ve witnessed employees, both of Saint John’s Medical Center and Bethany Pointe Health Campus. They are unsung heroes — like Anderson’s policemen and firemen.

Wouldn’t it be nice if Dick (chicken-hawk) Cheney would go back to his undisclosed location, and take Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh with him? All Cheney has to offer is fear itself and he is trying to justify using torture to save his own skin.

Recently, the Hope For Children Foundation held its sixth annual charity golf tournament. More than $2,000 was raised to benefit at-risk children in Madison County. Appreciation is extended to Tod Windlan and Chuck Roberts at Grandview Golf Course, as well as Kleenco, Lampco Federal Credit Union, Tire Barn, Eric Reske, state Rep. Scott Reske, Century 21, Tom Ross; Oak

On Friday, May 29, Killbuck Elementary School had a Fun Day for Kids, since it was their last official school day. My husband, Wayne, and I were among those parents who volunteered for the event; which was great! The kids had so much fun, and so did we.

We all know it. We have all seen small signs of it. We are all living it. The “it” which is referred to here is the state of economic hardship this country is currently experiencing.

While schools across Madison County and much of the state are despairing of low standardized test scores, low graduation rates, high expulsion and dropout rates, there is at least one alternative in Madison County providing an excellent education in a safe and friendly environment.

 The Anderson Herald Bulletin recently published an article titled, “ACS establishes new school boundaries.” The author quoted at least two Anderson Community Schools officials who seemed to be happily promising the public that school boundaries (East Side/Highland and North Side/Anderson) would remain the same, under new districting.  Superintendant Lowe stated: “The easiest way for you to know is the East

Wednesday, I hugged a man in Perkins restaurant who I believe is recovering from a stroke. He was a complete stranger but looked like he could use a hug and a little encouragement. He hugged me back. His hug was the best feeling I’ve had in the last two years.

After watching members of the Senate and Congress say one after another that they did not want the detainees from Guantanamo Bay in their state, I thought to myself, what a bunch of crap. Our brave soldiers travel to the other side of the world to bring these terrorists to justice only to have politicians turn their backs on them and the justice system.