GUESS OUR NATIONAL LEADERS DIDN'T SEE THIS COMING!

On Thursday, May 27, 1999, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. This is a transcript of that address.

What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.

"I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy-it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. "I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today:

Your laws ignore our deepest needs, Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage, You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms, And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere, And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws, Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand, That God is what we need!"

Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and reek havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact.

What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs - politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. "Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched! We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored. We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God!"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes-He did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools.

Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA - I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"

The Health Care plan WE may be headed toward

I have for some time been concerned as to how our current administration is leaning with regard to our health care system, especially with regard to our medicare for those 65 and older. I haven't ventured into this area because all the information I had was what our courts would call "hearsay". My family has had acquaintances and extended family associated with this thing called National Health but that is all. Well, today in our local newspaper an article in our editorial section was directed to just that and this individual is an American that lives in the United Kingdom. She responds to a previous article regarding England's National Health Service! Below is her article in her own words.

As an American living in the United Kingdom I read with interest the recent letter regarding Britain's National Health Service (NHS).

Although I agree with the writer with regard to the quality of doctors and nurses in the U. K. I was surprised to learn how many people in the U. K. also carry pricey private health insurance . I wonder if the writer is even aware that private hospitals and private insurance are even available, let alone common and on the rise.

My dear friend, a geriatric specialist, also informed me that, in the U. K. system once one reaches the "elderly" age of 65, one is no longer considered "eligible" for such things as heart, kidney, or lung transplants. Such patients are referred to as "end of life care". Incidentally my U. K. physician friend carries private health insurance for himself and his wife.

What is actually happening in the U. K. is "classist". Only the wealthy can afford private health insurance, and it is on the rise-making the NHS the only option for the masses. It would be naive to think this same private insurance would not evolve here if national health were to become the universal U. S. system.

Although not perfect, our medical system is the envy of the world. Let us work at tweaking it instead of replacing it. Sharon Strong Peple. RTD

Case in point:

A woman in Great Britian who was the mother of a family members friend saw a doctor in the U. K. (She was about 77 years old), because of some issues she was having. As it turned out the physician determined what he suspected was the source of the problem and advised her she needed to see a Cardiologist to determine exactly what was going on. In order to see a cardiologist (ANY Cardiologist) she was required to be placed on a waiting list.

Over two years passed and she then made plans to visit her son in America before something happened. She purchased her tickets and was within days of flying out when she was finally called and said they could see her. Needless to say the trip was cancelled so she could keep the appointment. As I recall her heart condition was treatable with medication but had it not been the case she very well may not have survived the "wait".