The Llano Ledger


Newsletter Text V88

Accessing The Llano Ledger Website Without Generously Providing Financial Assistance To This Publication Not Only Denies Desperately Needed Funds For Investigative Expenses, But Amounts To Theft Of This Writer's Labor.

BANNER AND POP-UP ADVERTISING PAYS ONLY FOR WEBSITE

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Want this publication to continue? Send a financial donation to Rt 2 Box 464A, Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609. The clock is ticking...
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**************April 16, 2001**************

The following letter from LMHS was received, April 12, 2001:

LMHS
Llano Memorial Healthcare System
200 West Ollie
Llano, Tx. 78643

April 11, 2001

VIA/CERTIFIED MAIL/RRR
Mr. Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
Rt. 2, Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, Texas 72609 [78609]

Re: Open Records Request of March 23, 2001

Dear Mr. Chorney:

This letter will acknowledge receipt of your written Open Records Act request of March 23, 2001 requesting additional time to inspect cellular phone records and employee expense reports.

These documents will be available for your inspection in the administrative offices of Llano Memorial Hospital, 200 W. Ollie Street, Llano, Texas on Friday, April 20, 2001 during the hours of 9 o'clock a.m. and 10 o'clock a.m.

Very truly yours,
Kevin Leeper, CEO
******************

Mr. Leeper, as had his two predecessors, is playing games with the Public Information Act and its time requirements. His response was nearly a week late, leading this writer to prepare a scathing follow-up open records request that was to be cc'd to State officials. ... For whatever the hell that's worth, right? Since, however, the Administrator's response was received the morning the latest message was to be sent, it was quickly edited to the following:

Kevin Leeper, Administrator/CEO
Llano Memorial Healthcare System
Llano, Tx. 78643

April 12, 2001

Re: Open Records Request

Dear Mr. Leeper:

As per Public Information Act notice on bulletin board in LMHS Administrative offices located on 103 W. Lampasas St., Llano, Tx. 78643, this is an e-mailed request for information under the Texas Public Information Act, Ch.552, Gov't Code, Public Information.

Access to following documents is respectfully requested:

1. All Llano County Hospital Authority Board minutes from January 31, 2001 to present.

2. All Llano Bay Health Care Board minutes from January 31, 2001 to present.

This e-mailed request is in keeping with the policy posted on your bulletin board and will certainly save time and effort for all. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in a matter that is of great concern to my readers.

Sincerely,

Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
http://maxpages.com/llanoledger
http://maxpages.com/llanoledger2
Rt 2 Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609

cc: Llano Ledger website
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The following is the text of the letter from U.S. Ambassador Prueher to Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Tang regarding 24 military personnel held hostage:

Dear Mr. Minister:

On behalf of the United States Government, I now outline steps to resolve this issue.

Both President Bush and Secretary of State Powell have expressed their sincere regret over your missing pilot and aircraft. Please convey to the Chinese people and to the family of pilot Wang Wei that we are very sorry for their loss.

Although the full picture of what transpired is still unclear, according to our information, our severely crippled aircraft made an emergency landing after following international emergency procedures. We are very sorry the entering of China's airspace and the landing did not have verbal clearance, but very pleased the crew landed safely. We appreciate China's efforts to see to the well-being of our crew.

In view of the tragic incident and based on my discussions with your representative, we have agreed to the following actions:

Both sides agree to hold a meeting to discuss the incident. My government understands and expects that our aircrew will be permitted to depart China as soon as possible.

The meeting would start April 18, 2001.

The meeting agenda would include discussion of the causes of the incident, possible recommendations whereby such collisions could be avoided in the future, development of a plan for prompt return of the EP-3 aircraft, and other related issues. We acknowledge your government's intention to raise U.S. reconnaissance missions near China in the meeting.

Sincerely,
Joseph W. Prueher
******************

Amazing how quickly principle is forgotten after a "happy ending", isn't it? Sadly, public attention span can be measured in minutes, -- or less. Appreciation of delicate diplomatic nuances and policy considerations? Nearly, non-existent. Case in point?

... The release of 24 American hostages held for eleven days in China. While American jubilance at the freeing of military personnel is indeed understandable, unanswered questions remain. Sadly, the public is too shallow and trite to ask, preferring instead to heap praise on a "President" apparently more concerned with Chinese trade than the loss of sensitive American secrets and technology.

Think the "President's" beak wasn't bloodied or at least badly tweaked by the Chinese? Re-read the near-capitulation letter just posted. Think it's not an "apology"? What about the top-secret aircraft containing sensitive advanced technology? The "President" will conveniently worry about it later. Fascinating, isn't it?

Once again, Ole' George "The Tush" has made a jackass of himself and the United States. For what? To protect American corporate interests in China. No more. No less.

Yet, the American public is too aggressively stupid to realize they've once again been shammed by a dolt appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court. Interesting, isn't it?

Readers are pointedly reminded there is no liberty in China. Dissidents receive long prison terms or are executed gangland style, shot in the back of the head. The family is then billed for the ammunition. Chinese goods sold in the United States are produced by slave labor. Yet, the "President" receives high marks from the public for callously placing American corporate interests before principle and freedom.

Numerous questions remain regarding the circumstances of the incident. Yet, the public remains deafeningly silent. Gathering of intelligence in international airspace is critical to our security and best interests. Why aren't our aircraft protected by airpower? To the point of leaving an aircraft carrier in the area to provide fighter cover?

Since last December at the very least, Chinese fighter jets were becoming increasingly aggressive intercepting American surveillance aircraft flying in international airspace. See the videotape made in January of the Chinese pilot dangerously flying within the wingspan of the surveillance aircraft? If such intelligence gathering is critical to American security (and it is), why wasn't the aircraft protected by U.S. fighter jets? Why were 24 of our best and brightest asked to risk their lives only to be sent into harm's way inadequately protected?

Yet, George "The Tush" Bush and his predecessor, Bill Clinton, did nothing. Why? Both must be held responsible. The public, however, is quite willing to leave things the way they are. Never question. Never challenge. ... Most pointedly, heads securely and conveniently lodged up their ass.

When one lone Right Wing rag (The Weekly Standard) had the courage to challenge the "President's" handling of the crisis, however, the "Vice-President" gave the publication the back of his hand, suggesting the publisher was only trying to sell copies. Interesting, isn't it? -- A rag that had heretofore been in the pocket of the "Administration". Truly fascinating. Had the "President", however, been a Democrat, Cheney's reaction would have been the direct opposite. Principle? What the hell's that? "It's always the partisan politics, stupid".

What about the cowardly silence of the Left and Center? Both, apparently, also have their heads securely lodged up a bodily orifice seldom seeing the light of day. Most pointedly, what does it take to get the attention of the American people? ... The loss of all 24 fliers? -- As had nearly happened? Just as importantly, what about the next time?

Apparently, "conservatives" within the Republican Party are having problems with the Bush budget. The GOP has long argued the federal government should not be involved in education matters. ... A states' rights issue, you understand. Yet, Ole' George is proposing a 72% increase in education spending. Interesting, isn't it?

The "President", supposedly a law-and-order politician, however, is gutting the COPS program, -- Clinton's plan to put another 100,000 officers on the street. Yet, Public Broadcasting will receive an additional $10 million. Long targeted by the GOP as a pet project of the "Commie" Left, Ole' George is planning to increase funding of the National Endowment For the Arts.

A bona fide Right Wing fascist, Sen. Jesse Helms, however, must not be a a particularly happy camper since the "President", is proposing an 8% increase in foreign aid. Ole' Jesse, additionally, must be mortified the "Chief Executive" (despite campaign promises) has NOT proposed huge increases in military spending or a missile defense system. ... A "compassionate" "conservative", no?

All joking aside, the "President's" budget will provide additional fodder for weeks to come... -- Especially since the "Chief Executive's" budget proposes an 8% overall increase, while seeking $1.6 trillion in tax cuts. ... Hey, George? Sounds remarkably like "voodoo economics", doesn't it? Exactly what your father accused Ronald Reagan of back in 1980. Sadly, he was right. We're still paying the price in terms of the national debt, 21 years later. -- Amazing how history nearly always repeats itself...

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft has apparently not read the First Amendment for quite some time, -- or is extremely terrified by what convicted Oklahoma City bomber Tim Mc Veigh might have to say prior to his scheduled execution in May. ... Hey, Johnny? Why not let this sad piece of human excrement have his say? How else can we learn why and how to prevent a similar incident in the future?

Most pointedly, Johnny, what are you so afraid of, sir? Think Mc Veigh will raise some pointed unanswered questions regarding federal handling of the crime if he's allowed to be interviewed by the media? Questions unanswered since April 19, 1995? ... Questions that will remain unanswered, conveniently forever, once the bomber is legally murdered by the government?

... Oh, excuse me, friends. Almost forgot. How incredibly stupid and shortsighted of this writer. It's not "murder". It's "justice", right? Not "revenge". ... Not a "pound of flesh". No blood-sport involved here, right? Will certainly provide "closure" to the families, won't it?

... Hey, Johnny? What about "closure" for the rest of us, sir? Why isn't the execution to be televised nationally, instead of only by closed-circuit to the families of the victims? After all, a majority of Americans "knows" capital punishment is a "deterrent", don't they? Additionally, we, as Americans, are quite "proud" the United States is indeed the last "civilized" nation that still inflicts it. Outstandingly enlightened, wouldn't you say? Truly so.

Just as importantly, why limit the "efficacy" of capital punishment by not televising it, however? After all, we wouldn't want to minimize its "deterrent" value, would we? Why not take things a step further and make it required viewing for all, -- especially children? After all, who would be more impressionable? ... Start 'em young, no?

No one's "sensibilities" could possibly be affected, could they? We all "know" lethal injection is "painless", "sterile", humanitarian", and far better than the son of a bitch deserves, isn't it? In fact, many of our most spiritually advanced have suggested McVeigh be dispatched with a pound of plastic explosive detonated up his rump.

Most pointedly, it couldn't possibly be "murder", could it? After all, the government is doing the killing. -- Despite laws prohibiting citizens from doing precisely the same. "Don't do as I do, do as I say", says Big Daddy, right? Truly, killing is a "legitimate" way for government to solve its problems, isn't it? Not so, however, for the unwashed masses. ... Adolph and Benito must indeed be smiling from their fiery perches.

Equally pointedly, why isn't this piece of human excrement locked up for the rest of his life, forced to work while incarcerated for his meals, medical care, and upkeep? ... Instead of being allowed to watch cable and cowardly await government-assisted suicide via lethal injection. Wake up, friends. Our blood-thirst for vengeance only perpetuates the violence. Justice? What the hell's that? As Americans, we've falsely, mistakenly and outrageously equated it with revenge. Offended? Certainly, hope so. Expect more of the same. Want fluff? Read another publication.

Friends, serious consideration is given by this writer to simply walking away from The Ledger due to a glaring lack of financial support from the readership. As strongly asserted in Special Edition V65, lacking any vested interest and no longer owning property in Llano County, why continue in the absence of financial support from a cowardly and selfish community? -- Despite a combined Llano Ledger and Llano Ledger 2 visitor count exceeding 94,100? ... Two years, now. For what?

Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger



Tim Chorney, Publisher
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam Tx. 78609

llanoledger@mailcity.com

Page Updated Tue Apr 17, 2001 5:19pm EDT