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Show ommunity ews A2 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2009 Sentinel 42 East 300 North Spanish Fork, UT 84660 Lane Henderson Publisher Namon Bills Editor Dana Robinson . Assoc. Editor The Sentinel is published each Wednesday for $37.50 per year in area and $41.50 out of area by J-Mart, 280 North Main St., Spanish Fork Utah 84660. E-mail stories to editor@sfsentinel.com E-mail ads to ads@sfsentinel.com Call us at 801-794-4964 The entire content of this newspaper is Copyright © 2009 The Sentinel. All rights reserved. No parr of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the editor or publisher. THE SENTINEL (USPS 024716) is published weekly for $37.50 per year by J-Mart Publishing, 280 North Main St., Spanish Fork, UT 84660. Periodicals Postage Paid at Spanish Fork, UT. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Sentinel, 42 East 300 North, Spanish Fork, UT 84660. A voice for survivors Newsprint Musings Namon Bills Elizabeth Smart finally got her day in court. On Thursday, Oct. 1,2009, the world sat in rapt attention as Smart testified of the physical, sexual and psychological abuse she suffered at the hands of Brian David Mitchell. Who knows what courage it took for her to take the stand and testify? Those of us who have not experienced what she has cannot fully understand what she has been through or what it took for her to find her Weddings, anniversaries, missionaries, 1st birthdays, articles, photos, letters to the editor Friday, 12 p.m. Display advertisements, classified ads, Business Index Friday, 12 p.m. voice and speak out against her abuser. While we may not be able to understand, we can, at least, believe her. The manipulative patterns of which Smart testified are typical of abuse that goes on below the surface on all levels of society. Similar tales of abuse come to us in news reports from thirdworld countries around the globe, yet for the most part we remain blissfully ignorant of abuse taking place in our own "happy valley" communities. The abuse is emotional, physical, sexual and psychological. Much of this abuse is kept below the surface be- cause, like Mitchell, the abusers have taken all power in their victims' lives. They are master manipulators who have managed to silence their victims by physical and psychological restraint. Sadly, few of these survivors ever manage to find a voice — to speak out against the abuse as Elizabeth Smart has done. The tragedy is compounded by the bitter irony that these survivors are living in a free country. Our Founding Fathers recognized that an essential part of true freedom is free speech — not just to say what you think and to be able to disagree with others, but to be heard. Too often survivors of abuse have been stripped of this basic freedom. They live as physical and psychological slaves in the land of the free. It takes an extraordinary amount of courage for a survivor to find their voice, to come forward and testify of the abuse they have suffered. Seldom does that voice come forward in such a public forum as a court room filled with media. More often, a survivor will seek out a trusted friend, someone they hope will not judge or question, but will listen and believe. It is a huge risk they take. A poor reception and invalidation on the part of that friend could shut the survivor down forever. My plea today is when that survivor comes to you in confidence and trust, with a story so horrific that it threatens the very assumptions of a decent and moral society under which you have lived your life, listen; believe. Elizabeth Smart has found her voice. Finally in a free society one of the survivors has been heard. Now it is time for the other survivors of abuse to be heard. It is time that they have their voice too. It is time for survivors to truly enjoy the freedom of speech. States' rights a current issue again Mike Morley STATE REP. DEADLINES Guardian of Your Community News The political climate in our state and in our nation has changed markedly during 2009, more so than at any time in my memory. In all likelihood, the last time our nation experienced such upheaval and citizen outcry was in the years and months leading up to the outbreak of civil war. If we learn only one lesson from that horrific event in our nation's history, let it be that The United States of America truly is and must remain "one nation, under God, indivisible." The tenth amendment of the United States Constitution indicates, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying, "A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have." Without question, the federal government has grossly overstepped its bounds to the detriment of the States and the people. This has taken place one law, one action, one speech, one executive order at a time, with the net result being more government intrusion and control. Despite the fact that much change has been brought about by well-meaning leaders who want people to have a better quality of life, we have to remember that this simply is not the role of government. While such action may be well-intentioned, the true result is an eroding of our constitutional rights. The rallying cry throughout our nation during 2009 has become "states' rights!" It would seem that many in Washington DC have forgotten that the federal government was created by the states for the mutual benefit of all. It was never the intention of our Founding Fathers that the federal government grow and expand as it has, nor that the rights specifically and inherently reserved to the states be claimed by the federal government. There is much that individual states can and must do to keep in check the balance of power between the federal government and the states "envisioned by the founders as they drafted our Constitution. However, it is vitally important to remember that we are The Unit- ed States of America. In the years prior to the Civil War, the common vernacular of the time was "The United States are." From 1865 to our present day, we say "The United States is." That is and must remain the lasting legacy of that great conflict; a legacy simply, yet eloquently summarized by Pres. Abraham Lincoln when, on a late fall morning in Gettysburg, he expressed his hope, "that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." The winter is coming up fast, so get prepared There and Back Again Shirlene R- Ottesen The days are definitely getting shorter. I look at the clock when it gets dark and think," I guess it's time to go to bed" and it's only 8 o'clock. I was talking to someone the other day about these shorter days and we wondered when we changed back to standard time. So, I looked on my calendar and it's not until November 1. That gives the kids another hour to celebrate Halloween. After the time change, it seems like winter drops like a curtain when it's dark at 5 p.m. I winterized, pipes protected the Pacific Islands and in guess I'll just enjoy all the against freezing temps, all other parts of the world daylight hours I can until the garden hoses gathered who have no homes due to then. up and put away. All the to- the results of earthquakes. We can all save some mato plants, squash vines, The whole earth seems to money on our utility bills corn stalks from the garden be in commotion, doesn't now that the temperatures should be cleaned up. I also it? They keep reminding us have dropped and we don't need to replace a couple here in Utah that it's not a need air conditioners any of drafty windows to help question of "if* but "when" more. I don't have central keep out those cold, north- an earthquake can happen air in my new old-home, but ern winds. I'm not ready to here. It's kinda scary when I didn't think this past sum- turn the furnace on yet, but you realize that maybe we mer was all that hot. Maybe when I went to town this aren't as safe and secure as for a few weeks or so but as morning I turned the heater we'd like to think we are. A I remember it, the summer a on in my car! I don't mind good friend of mine, and a being hot in the summer, former classmate, Paul Wilyear ago was a hot one. The storm last week with but I really don't like being liams died on September the first dusting of snow on cold in the winter. I hope it 24 in Salt Lake. I haven't the mountains is a quick will be another few weeks seen him since our 50th reminder of all the things before I turn the furnace class reunion in 2000 and so it was a shock to hear of we need to do to get ready on. for winter water systems All this pales in com- his death. A tall, strawberry need to be drained, campers parison to those people in blonde, he was active in our high school years serving as Editor of our Red and Gray school paper. He was a respected anesthesiologist at the LDS hospital and Intermountain Surgical Center in Salt Lake for 40 years and retired in 2004. It's hard to see our classmates - •»'••.•<*; passing out of this mortal existence and a definite reminder of our own mortality. It's time again write a different month in the checkbook. Happy •. ..- .• October! • Missionary from Benjamin to start service in Peru 'Round and About Benjamin Kathleen Olsen Elder Justin Argyle gave a farewell address in Benjamin 1st Ward's Sacrament Meeting on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009. He entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, where he will be for three weeks. At that time he will depart for the Missionary Training Center in Lima, Peru, where he will receive further training before beginning his missionary work in that country, Justin is the son of Keith and Chris Argyle and grandson of Bert and Lucille Argyle of Benjamin. He will be missed but we know he will make a tremendous missionary. ••• Relief Society members from both Benjamin wards along with other members of Spanish Fork West Stake met at the stake center on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, to en- joy a delicious supper and then viewed the General Relief Society Conference. Serving on the supper committee from Benjamin 1st Ward were Debora Shell, Michelle Anderson and Annette Anderson. Helping from Benjamin 20th ward were Marilyn Anderson, Barbara Anderson, Karen Williams and Shirley Diamond. The Spanish Fork West Stake Relief Society presidency, who arranged for the stake event, include Karma Woffinden, president, Jo Ann Lancaster, DeAnn Tuckett, counselors, and JoLynn Chappie, secretary. It was a very lovely evening. ••• Rick and Julie Jensen are now grandparents with the birth of a baby boy to Jeff and Crystal Jensen Utley, of Orern, He was born on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. ••• This is a little late but we were unable to get the details until now, Tyler and Amanda Jensen Mendenhall of Spanish Fork be- came the parents of a baby girl on Aug. 6, 2009, at the Utah Valley Medical Center in Provo. Her Benjamin grandparents are Melanie Jensen and Larry Dean Jensen. ••• Nick Jensen married Jill Ward of Spanish Fork on Saturday, September 12, 2009, at the Timpanogos Park. Following the ceremony, a family Bar-B-Q was held in the newly weds honor. Nick is the son of Melanie Jensen and Larry Dean Jensen. Dan and Karen Williams recently returned from a delightful trip to England. Also making the trip were Jon and Carol Beck of Leland. The Williams have friends in England who had made reservations and other arrangements for their trip and the Becks have grandchildren on a military base in England whom they were anxious to visit. In London, they saw Buckingham Palace, sailed on the Thames River and saw the stage production of Phantom of the Opera among many other things. One special experience was visiting the London Eye, an immense ferris wheel that has glass cars and takes a half hour to make one revolution while laying a spectacular view of London at the riders' feet. Other things they saw included Windsor Castle, Cambridge where they visited an American military cemetery from World War II, Bath and the Roman ruins. They also traveled into Wales and visited two old castles there. Though they are back home, they certainly have many, many memories to relive. ••• Benjamin 1st Ward members are reminded of the Frost Fair which will take place tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009). This will begin at 6:30 p.m. with supper (including scones) being served. There will be three areas of competition - the giant pumpkins, Jack 0 lanterns and weed/fall flower arrangements. There will also be pi- natas for Primary age children. . m x. _ ^ _ |