Letters: Degree in common sense surpasses college degree

Degree in common sense surpasses college degree
A while back, a person I know told me success was measured by wealth, fame, position and power. I thought about it for a good while. I remember when was 18 I longed for all the above.
I entered college, but graduated from the University of Life. At the University of Life, I did not earn a degree, but did learn life is not fair; people are not always honest; and whining achieves nothing. I also learned that a framed degree on the wall does not equal to a frame encompassing common sense.

At the University of Life I learned change is constant, nothing goes as planned, and no one is entitled to anything.

So, in what way should success be defined? I know there are a multitude of definitions; therefore it is in the mind of each individual.

I have told and heard many stories of my father, Homer. When I met my wife, I remember telling her that my Daddy “was a good man.”

Now I know the definition of success. One day I hope my daughter will say of me, “my Daddy was a good man.” That is success a man can hang his hat on.

William “Bubba” Dupree
Opelika

Neighborhood watch program worth considering in Opelika

I was just reading the article in the Opelika-Auburn News about all the break-ins in Stephens Woods subdivision. It sounds like they need to form a neighborhood watch.

I recently returned from visiting family in Dallas and my niece took me with her when she went on her watch. All the neighbors take turns driving around their neighborhood, looking for people that look like they don’t belong, suspicious looking cars, garage doors standing open, etc.

If someone leaves their garage open, they are given a call and told it is an invitation for someone to break in. It seems to be very effective. There are signs around the neighborhood stating that there is a neighborhood watch. If they see something suspicious, they call the head of the watch program, they check it out and if necessary, call the police.

I know we don’t have the crime in our area that they have in Dallas, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Virginia D. Roe
Opelika

Best health reform bill should stop abortion mandate

Congress will soon return to Washington and consider the lingering issue of health reform. No matter what your position is on the broad issue of reform, it seems obvious that the bill should help protect the innocent and the helpless. And that will require language that forbids the government from covering abortions or paying for them.

Unfortunately, several amendments that would accomplish this goal have been defeated, and President Obama has even deceptively said that when it comes to abortion funding, “nothing will change under reform.”

The truth is much different. Without specific language in the bill, a government panel could decide that federally approved benefit plans must cover abortion, and that our tax dollars must be used to provide them.

You don’t have to be pro-life, as I am, to be aghast at the thought that this bill would make abortions much easier to obtain and pay for them with our tax dollars. Please contact your member of Congress and U.S. Senators and ask them to vote only for a health reform bill that would stop the abortion mandate.

Tonda Leonard
Smiths Station