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Show Opinion jQoiae October 17 2003 The Summit County Bee Page A2 Tell Me About It DEAR FRIEND: UY I ION That's the introduction that President Ronald Reagan used the most in many or tlie letters he personally wrote while serving in the White Mouse. It has been estie volume mated that h's was in excess of 10, (MM) letters. None of them were written on a typewriter, computer, nor dictated lor someone else to write and mail out. lie unite them all personally, in long hand, to family, friends, life-tim- political acquaintances, fellow actors, heads of foreign governments, columnists and other writers virtually almost everyone - and answered every letter he ever icccivcd. There are several (estimated at about 10) hooks printed on the subject of Reagan's Inters. The one I've Ivcn reading, Reagan A Life In Inters, contains about 1.000 of them as near as I can determine I haven't counted them. Hut, I've read maybe half of those contained in the hook. ( )ne of the TV commentators, in talking about Reagan's prolific writing patterns, staled that Mr. Reagan during his lifetime even wrote personal - and very touching letters - to his wife, Nancy; ones - many written while in the same room as the two of them were silting, lie wrote many, many letters to her while they lived in the White House, lie would be in his ollicc in the West Wing, while, at lire same lime she was in the hast Wing. (here are many things to con siiler about Iresulent Reagan upon innu-mciuhl- c contemplating the conclusions icached by those analysts who have studied the Reagan letters. Ins style, and the ultimate depth of his personality as seen through his hand-writte- n SIMISJ LR messages. And while Department, and all the other each reader may have their own opinion of this compulsion to write, there is one very obvious departments - as is protocol sent their official letters to (he proper and undeniable trait that is overwhelming in virtually every letter he has written. Reagan was a virtual master of finding, and sharing, a common ground with all those who would communicate with him. In addition, he seems In he an absolute master of neutralizing the - I'm going to say - biased view point that most of us humans project when we have something to gripe about. Ilis uncommonly-hel- d ability to diffuse or neutralize animosity and to replace it with reasoning is, in my opinion, remarkable. livery one of his letters seem to display this characteristic, and his style gets right to the core of the problem immediately. He has shown an absolutely amazing quality of skill in explaining his thinking and behavioral patterns and the reasons for his judgmental decisions. And he wrote with a passion - which or I should say rrwxm is a whole new area of skill within itself. Some letters are firm - very firm; and had to be. Some are written, bearing a hint or style like that of a concerned father rearing his children. Hut all (uniquely so) with the firm knowledge that all points were considered, and righl-or-rong a decision hud to he rendered and was. Not to say that there were other communications yet to follow because, oftentimes, much was led to solve. Hut the countries and officials everywhere on the globe), hut Reagan, the man, personally wrote (again: in long-hanhis own message which tended to appeal to the inquiring party as one human being would to another. And it was written in style and terms that the ordinary letter-writwould use in corremind the differNever sponding. ence in languages, because he wrote, in Fjiglish, to the leaders of all the countries in (he world who wanted our help or money - or -- w recipients of his letters were always lell with the understanding that Mr. Reagan was aware of the prohlcm and was truly seeking resolution. The unusual aspect of the Reagan I alters was the fact lh.it (he ('resident of The I 'ruled States of America was personally communicating with Ilk average run-o- f individual Yeah, the Slate ihc-iiii- II sources of inquiry (Read: other er opinions American-styl- e or whatever. His in his American language was what (and how) he wrote to all those people in all those various places - irregardless of what the U.S. Governmental agencies thought of it andor whether or not they approved of his actions. And it must be noted that he w as smart enough not to encumber, reveal, nor compromise any national issues nor to pledge commitments that were contrary to our nations goals andor security. I've learned a lot from reading thus far. It's helped me to develop a whole new point of view. . . and of opened a virtual widc-rivc- r about do's governmental insight and don't's. Also, it's generated an avid desire for reading the other hooks of Reagan Inters - as yet unpurchased. Yeah, I'm gonna do it - if for no other reason than the fact that even if I ever had the chance (which is totally impossible and hilarious to think about) I wouldn't ever want to be President of the United Stales of America. Not for all the rice in China. sons seem and then ends up trying to make up lor all the lime I let elapse. I am the proverbial pul-er- off er to type ol person whose good bring with them a special (ouch only lell during that time ol the year, spring one o lavonics because it is my brings a eel mg of a new beginning hut tail would have to be my I lavorile of all four. With fall comes football, falling leaves, beautiful mountain splendor, cooler temperatures and a feel- ing that it is time to relax for a minule alter hurrying and scur-lyin- g about all summer. Allhough parents begin a new routine of taking children here and there and attending games and oilier school projects, older folks like me can relax and just walcli the younger set do all those "expected" things. One ol my sisters recently lold me that one of her projects lor the day was to "walk through some crunchy leaves." So okay, that niiglii not be anything earth shattering, but what a fun way lo pul life into perspective and a way of being child like for a moment in lime. So. with that in mind I came home front wotk alter being on the road all day doing stories lo sit in my lawn swing and relax for a minute. The leaves Irom my tree began falling around me, the warm sunshine made me feel a bit drowsy and the cute neighbor kids were playing and laughing next door - and well, I soon found myself taking a walk through the crunchy leaves and it was so enjoyable. Thanks DiAnn for the suggestion! Fall is the lime of year when wc begin preparing for winter if we are resourceful and smart. Yards are cleaned up so that when spring arrives there arc not a lot of surprises found such as toys, rakes, flowers that were not cleaned up etc. etc. As for me, I am one of those who usually wails until the snow flys -- intentions often go astray. Fall is also the lime of year when the color "ORANGF." comes on the scene, as the hunters take lo the lulls lo hunt game or in reality escape from home and their places of employ menl so they can come home with more stories lo tell lor generations to come. Maybe it was the one they actually brought home, or the huge giant that got away, or the freezing temperatures or well, whatever they can come up with that makes the biggest impact in their storyline. It is a lime lor drinking hot chocolate while sitting in front of a warm fire, taking lime lo relax in Ironl ol the healer with a good book, or watching that movie you never had lime for during the summer or maybe gelling caught up with an indoor project now that you arc forced to be indoors more. I find that I really enjoy the slower pace of the season even though there are still deadlines to reach and stories lo follow - there is "Words are the only things that last forever." -- William Hazlett 1778-1W) 8 inner self lo slow down now. think of all (he blessings in my life. So, Yes I would have to say that fall is my favorite time of year. Now, w hen w inter conies I will find that is my favorite tunc as well, cause lets face it each season offers its own brand of beauty to the world. Snow on the roads would have to he my biggest gripe with the time change in the fall being a major draw-hac- k in adjusting to the darkness and the days seem to drag on. Oh well! I guess I should learn to go to bed earlier and get some rest, right? Jumping thoughts lor a moment, I just want lo express get well wishes to Commissioner Ken Woolstenhulme and a prayer for a speedy and complete recovery. He spends a lot of time in behalf of the county and I personally appreciate his efforts. Thought for the week: "There is only one day that you and I have to live and that's today. There is nothing we can do about yesterday except repent, and there may he no tomorrow's. The thing for us to do when wc arise from our beds as God gives us a new day, is to pray that whatever comes to our hands, wc will do it lo the best . . And there are two special ho- lidays that arrive; Halloween with its magical feeling and of our ability." s Tim Summit County Ihr Letters To Tlie Editor on wH-tome- any sulijet I. They must adhere lo the following guulHiiies: They lo the Coalville Office, P.O. Box 7, Coalville, UT 84017 or (he Kamas Offne, P.O. Box 22 . Kamas, UT 8401b, no later than Monday noun to lx1 tonsiiloied for that week's issue of the p.iM-- turning out on r ritlay. The letters must he hand signed with full address and telephone number of the person writing the letter. No lelliT will In1 iruhlislnxl under an assumed name. Name may Ik withheld on request at the disc return of lire managing editor or puhlisli-e- r rrf Tin1 Summit County Bee. They must not contain litrelous or slandering material. Writers are limited lo one letter in two r Thanksgiving that makes me just something that tells my Continued from page A I LsttcrsJnJhe-Edito- r EfiJiCY must he received Thought for the day: Pam's PIace Hue li of the four sea- www.barryscflrfoon5.COT Harold It. Lee wrx'ks. Please try to hold tlie length of letters lo the Editor to apiroxim.itely 300 words. The editor's of the Summit County Hoe resme the right to edit andor c ondense Letters lo the Editor Preferenc e will he given to short, typewritten (double spar fd letters permitting the use of the writer's name. All letters sulijec I to c ondensation if llrey aie too long for the spate available. No politic s endorsement letters will Ire pulrlished as Letters To Thelditor. Tim views expressed in guest editorials or Letters To The Editor do not ncxessarily reflect tin opinion of the editors or publisher or express llm viewpoint of this newspaper. Itegional News Notes Hospital liiiinihiiiiiii Ming Kimball Junction, 4 p.m. 6 p.m., (XT. 27. Coalville County 1 a.m., T hursday. Oct. 30. The location of the new facility, as well as its design and vices, have yet to he determined. T he architectural consortium of NliXltS, Inc. was retained recently. KSA Functional Manners have completed Phase I of gathering information on hospital needs. IIIC and the SCI IDF feel it is essential to obtain more public input and hope that many people will participate. If you arc interested in attending a public session hut are unable lo attend, please call 649-2- 5 1 1 or visit or visit the web site ww w.lHispital4us.org. ( ourtlkiusc 9 a.m. to 1 nillL Will rr Umilily Slmly Sri The public is ins iled lo attend an informational meeting regarding the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) water quality study starting on Ixho Reservoir. Tlie Utah Division of Water Quality (DWQ) will sponsor tlie meeting set for Ocl. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Coalville City Hall; 10 North Main Coalville. The TMDL study is examining the water quality of Reservoir and the contributing watersheds lo determine what the causes and sources of high nutrients and low dissolved oxygen in the reservoir are and what can be done lo restore water quality to meet slate standards. DWQ expects lo complete the study next year. Tlie results of a water quality data analysis completed recently and an overview of the TMDL process will he discussed at the meeting. Comments and feedback from the public are welcome. Comments or questions regarding the meeting or tlie water quality study should be directed lo John Whitehead, Watershed Coordinator, Utah Division of Water Quality, at or email at jwhitcheod (flulah.gov. Relay Ihah Launches Relayutah.gov Relay Utah launched relayulah.gov recently making information about its loll free service and other resources easier to access by Utah's deaf, hard of hearing, speech disabled communities and their friends and families. The new website features detailed descriitions of the translation service, available equipment, answers to frequently asked questions, and event calendars. Relay Service was established following the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in I9XM. Relay Utah is housed under the umbrella of the Public Service Commission and provides access lo hearing assistant equipment and telephone really services to connect standard telephones lo text telephones used by Utah citizens with hearing disabilities. Currently more than 3S,(XM) Relay Utah calls are facilitated each month in Utah. DLS. The Summit Countij lice t(TP li Vi Mi) n $x vr u-.i- I Arnr D' tm ciem a i The New Summit County Bee Dkoi Point in Kamas Phil 's Photo Lab 185 S. Main B Suite -7S3 345 6 t Xm r hi iitiiniii ( .'iinii-- . Cm:, ii .1111, 51 S ill (imiiiIv; 5J7 i Nil ,4 tiNililY Is H.hx ftthlMihtu hit:., It'S SniiIi, ItV . liny. l;l' K4iM2. IVrnulii.iU I.iiJ in t 'ii.il villt-- , UT me 7. X is MAS I .R: ,i,, Ires t .,IT, In VCi-i- 'i' flic Summit Countfi lice, CiuUiiki'i mo 7. lliv entire is I he mm P.O. t, 7. nntrnls of this news Copyrights 2002 Summit County Bee Wave Publishing, nr. All rights reserved. lor No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written con sent of the Managing Editor or Publisher. |