The Kokomo Tribune from Kokomo, Indiana • Page 9

i Marmtns fdtor Catharine Schrtdit tet. Managing Editor Kokomo, I ml. ongress, which hasn't done much this year, also hasn't done what it's supposed to. Thursday, Oct. 1, the start of the government's fiscal year, will come and go without the budget for the year being enacted.

On Friday, President Clinton one really wanted to draw attention to the lapse signed a continuing resolution that allows government agencies to go on spending at last year's levels until Oct. 9, when Congress will presumably have its act together. The actual money for the government to operate is contained in 13 appropriations bills that Congress is expected to pass between March and early September. So far one has passed. This procrastination is not new.

By one count, Congress has passed all 13 on time only twice since 1950. Most often, the consequences of the delay are only general legislative and administrative sloppiness as when Congress throws up its hands, passes a huge, catch-all spending bill and goes home. At worst, when there is political brinksman- ship with the White House, the result is a government shutdown as happened in 1995-96. The budget process begins on time, the first Monday in February, when the president must submit his budget-Congress is meticulous about others meeting deadlines but then the process goes off the rails. The Constitution gives Congress complete power of the purse, and Congress can do whatever it wants, which is to battle nonstop over who gets what and how much.

Sen. Pete Domenici, the respected chairman of the- Senate Budget Committee, has proposed as a solution a two- year budget cycle, with the first year devoted to approving the budget and the second year to general legislative matters and oversight. It's a great idea and it won't work. Congress regularly tries to make itself behave. The Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 and the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 are loaded with impressive timetables, deadlines and flow charts.

Congress honors or ignores them as the mood suits. One-year, two-year or five-year budget cycles can all be made to make sense on paper. The problem is not the system but the people running it, and, Democrat or Republican, they aren't going to change. Scripps Howard News Service Veterans deserve a day overing the Indiana Vietnam Veterans reunions for the past four years has given me an insight into the event and the veterans themselves. The reunions not only serve as a setting for veterans from all wars to get together and reminisce, but it's also a learning experience for some.

Whether it's over a cold brew or their favorite soda, talking about the war and reuniting with friends is something veterans need and deserve. I've heard people complain that veterans, who attend the reunions are just a bunch of guys in fatigues getting drunk. I have seen drunk people at these events, but there are more people that go to the reunions for a pur-' pose. For some it's to reunite with soldiers or families of soldiers, and for others it's a healing tool for the sintering they endured as a result of the unpopular war in Vietnam. I say enough about how I commend each and every veteran who ever served our country.

They are the reason we have what we do in our daily lives today. Some of these former soldiers went through things that most people only see in the movies they've shot and killed people they've seen their fellow soldiers being killed and wounded Can you imagine being spit at and called "baby killer" after coming home from such an ordeal? 1 couldn't The least we could dp for these heroes is let them reunite, join hands, sing songs, drink and let loose. It's only once a year. For some, the reunions are 'their only way to release such a tumultuous time. This past reunion has been the best ever.

Having it on the veteran organization's land for the first time ever made the event even more special. The two Vietnam era Huey choppers brought in by an Ohio museum owner was a big hit with veterans and others, as well as myself- The only word I can use to describe it is "awesome." It was the ultimate in thrill rides. I'm just glad it was cornfields we were Tto events also serve as a learning 'Whether it's over a cold brew or their favorite reuniting with friends is Something veieransneed and deserve 9 device. I have acquired more knowledge of the Vietnam era just by talking to veterans and listening to the reunions 1 speakers about issues veterans and their families face. I've seen a lot of local people attend these events too, and I hope they take advantage of the free education, as I did.

Unfortunately, it was a time people would like to forget, but let's face It, it's part of our history and we need to know the truth about what happened and what is still happening for these veterans. Even though most veterans realized Vietnam was a political war and very unpopular, they are proud to have served their country during that period. We should be proud we have Americans like that. We hope the reunions are here to stay. The veterans deserve at least that much.

(Ftetehw fe a police and court reporter and covered the Indiana Vietnam Veteran Reunion dna He can coaucted at fee Tribune at or bye- mail at Bill SWpWttvtr Opinion editor, 454-8576 or (800) 388-0696 Sunday Thursday betwwn 2:30 p.m. p.m. Monday Sept. 28, 1998 FEMA recognized under Witt Disaster relief now an amazing success story. ASHINGTON there is one quiet American hero in Washington these days, it's James Lee Witt, the man in charge of disaster relief.

When President Clinton picked the mild-mannered Arkansan with the soft accent to head the hated Federal Emergency Management Office six years ago, there were those who said it was a sinecure. Hundreds of disasters later, nobody thinks that. With quiet competence, Witt, 54, has given thousands of Americans in the moment of direst 18i SYNDICATED COLUMNIST over, When he took alized agency in 1992, its sluggish response to the malevolent Hurricane Andrew made true hatred of FEMA commonplace. Now, FEMA is regarded almost like an angel of mercy, an amazing success story in how to take a moribund federal agency and make it work for the people it's supposed to serve. The Dardanelle, native who once wore shirts made out of flour sacks and never went to college is the father of two, founder of a construction company and former county judge.

He got started in the painful business of sorting out nature's catastrophes when he was tapped to run the Arkansas Office of Emergency Services. The nasty, relentless Hurricane Georges is his 50th disaster this year, and the hurricane season is still new born. Somehow, he can still summon up the will and energy to warn people again and again that he's not chicken little because the sky is really falling or the earth really is cracking open or the sea really is angry enough to kill. Somehow, he can visit the sites of devastation and destruction, comfort people whose lives have been shattered and-d6 battlei with the buraafccritydni Washington day after day, month after month, year after year. And not complain.

Under Witt, FEMA in action is an awesome force of nature itself. When its three-dozen-person war room goes on 24-hour emergency alert, things happen. Even before disaster hits, Witt and his close-knit team no longer wait for states to request help but start figuring out how to allocate relief services. Before Georges even got near land, emergency crews were on their way. They work efficiently to be ready for the aftermath even while they're working with officials tracking the hurricane, the tornado, the earthquake, die flood, the ice storm, the fire.

Witt came into office in 1993 determined that outside emergency crews had safe during the disaster but close erKjugh Jo spring into action the moment.it was safe. "Each year they Morals are timeless Considering the number of politi co's that have been asked to resign and do the "right thing" on a moral basis, I truly believe the biggest motivations are purely political in essence, regardless of opposition or constituency. I believe that there is a genuine reappearance of morals and standards on both sides of the aisle, brought on by the individual, the voters at large although I don't think it could be called a paradigm shift to biblical confluence, it should be for the righteous reasons. Morals have not changed since time began, but people do, and generally more toward the liberal views unless they are devout and rebuke other people's portrayal of such sayings as ''this is the seventies, get with it" or "this is the nineties, these things are acceptable now." Not true, whatever was immoral a century or two ago is immoral a w) unacceptable today, especially by the Lord Jesus Christ and the moral rainority. PatPratt jections," Witt says proudly.

Witt does not just wait for disaster but has started Project Impact in an effort to instruct communities on how to prevent and resist disasters. Along with an entourage of state officials and the press, for example, he'll visit high-risk areas before trouble strikes, pointing out what could be done to minimize damage or save lives. One aim is to stop throwing good money after bad when houses get rebuilt in dangerous areas with no recognition that another similar disaster could happen. "We must stop the damage, repair, damage, repair cycle," he insists. And that sometimes makes him unpopular.

Five cities outside 1 of LOS smng fqr requiring people along the Los Angeles River to buy flood insurance. The cities charge FEMA didn't take into consideration how hard poor people would be hurt by the requirement. There are reasons for Witt's little- noticed success in Washington. He's got more than his share of common sense, compassion and determination. He hates red tape.

He is not arrogant. He is not trying to get another, better job. The other day, when Clinton called his Cabinet together for the first time since January to apologize for the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Witt was one of those who came out to the White House driveway to talk to reporters. He said the message was to keep on doing his job better than ever. The man who has seen as much devastation as anybody had tears in his eyes.

Too bad Witt cleans up only after natural disasters, not manmade ones. people peopl he clerk at the. check-out stand glanced at my arm. "So," he said, "you've got cat, huh?" "How'd you know?" "You bought cat food," he said, nod ding at a bag of Little Friskies in my cart, "and your arm is all scratched up. I can always spot the cat people." For a second, I thought he said, "thef cute people." Then I thought again.

"Wait," I muttered, "I'll be back. I forgot to get kitty litter." A. SHARON RANDALL SYNDICATED COLUMNIST I never wanted to be one of the cat people. I've been a dog person all my life. Dogs are a pain to put up with, but they are easy to understand.

Cats are a pain of a different sort, but a pain nonetheless, and you never know what to make of them. Also, dogs act as if they like you. They may even mean it. Sometimes they like you a little too much, but they are seldom stingy with Cats, on the other hand, wouldn't givqv a rip if you doused yourself in and juggled fire. Then there's the whole intelligence' thing.

I know, maybe it's just me Wing a pet Jhat is smarter than I am. Still, the big difference in cats and-," dogs is this: A dog, at least, seems to need you; a cat never will. Or maybe it's just my cat. She showed up one day, refused leave, gradually took charge of the place. I knew I shouldn't feed her if I didn't want her to stay.

Next thing I knew, I was buying Little Friskies and she was sleeping in my bed. Last winter, after my husband died, friends said I should get a With my kids grown and my house empty, I needed something to love, they said, how about a poodle? "Dogs are a pain," I said. "I don'L need that." Sometimes, when I've been away 'N from home all day, I find myself thinking about this cat and I if maybe she is thinking about me? I don't need a cat. And she does- n't need me. But I guess maybe we need each other.

to the editor nsthat can't deliver a tive campaigning a daytime W.lalk show? campaign ad. is go.bad it must Voting Is your right With the November vi not far my, are you fed up wife ali te ical rhetoric lite I am? Aw you tired of prdirir-iqpE rfyg gfP mfff COBTOTIflj Wrestling Federadbji. Another ad is so full of it, it should be thrown out with the cat Utter. There is so much mud slinging, I went out and bought some hip boots. Therefore if you are fed up with the current political parties then join the "NONE OF THE ABOVE" party.

We at the "NONE OF THE ABOVE" party take no campaign funds because we have no candidate. We break no promises because we make none. We will not debate any issues because we truly have nothing to say. We will not even feel your pain. We do believe in affirmative action.

We affirm some sort of action should be done, but heck, what can we do about it, we are in politics. So let us send a strong signal to the current political parties. Vote the "NONE OP THE ABOVE" The real DO NOTHING party. Sponsored by your local Pat Paulsen fan club. Footnote: The above was to make a joke on how bad election campaigns have become, but having the to vote is not a laiuthina mat- agree with what our politicians have to say, exercise your right.

VOTE, even if it means in protest. Bob Stevens Hoffman Estates, 111. Hospital gets high marks These past few months have represented the last break from school for the 270 students between their first and second years at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Consequently, I have been lucky enough to come back to Kokomo to participate in the HME program, where I have shadowed over 40 physicians associated with Howard Community Hospital. Although just an observer, I have learned an enormous amount of information about patient care and, more importantly for the community, how professional many of the physicians are in the Kokomo area.

First, I would like to thank all of the patients from Kokomo and the surrounding areas for allowing op to observe in your physical and emotional care. I can not say enough about the people from this area, and their willingness to allow me to learn. Medical students are taught volumes of information I would also like to thank the physicians and their staffs for making me feel welcome. All of these doctors volunteered their time simply to expand my knowledge about the many aspects of patient care. The residents of Kokomo and the surrounding areas can take comfort in knowing that many of the physicians associated with Howard Community Hospital not only do a tremendous job taking care of their patients, but they are also concerned enough about the future health care to volunteer their time and energy to help medical students.

Finally, I would like to thank the staff of Howard Community Hospital for doing its part in helping to educate the future physicians of the area. Everyone associated with the hospital has gone out of its way to make sure that 1 had an enjoyable yet productive learning experience. 1 am tired of every newspaper article linked to Howard Community Hospital having a negative tone. Even though there have been some a ggg assure job we elected tern to do. ter.

No matter what your political convictions are, voting is a right that should not he taken lightly. There are many people around the world that would loll and even have died for the right. So even if you do not every aspect of the human body throughout the first two years of school; however, actually visualuu the classroom work over my eight weeks of school has beea invaluable experience that CM oaiy make more a more well-rounded physician. that patient care has not The pbyuoaofi. nurses and staff are some of the most and comfeieot people with I era hm associated.

I fee. Having midst, and i wwh iuttcfc the future. Indianapolis-.